Srey NeChildren Ministry AssistantToday, I am not the broken girl behind the zinc walls. I am a servant of the Most High. I serve because Jesus gave His life for me, and I want to spend mine responding to that love.
My heart for ministry is simple:
Read Srey Ne's faith story below ⬇ |
From Darkness to Divine Purpose: My Journey of Grace
The Zinc Walls of My Youth
I was born into a life defined by scarcity and shadows. Growing up in a family burdened by poverty, my parents struggled with the heavy chains of alcohol and gambling addiction. Our home—a simple structure of zinc sheets—was often a place of fear rather than a sanctuary. I remember the sound of breaking dishes and the sight of damaged walls, but the deepest wounds were the ones on our hearts.
As the only daughter among five siblings, I felt the weight of my father’s violence when he drank and my mother’s redirected anger when he was gone. I grew up in a world of "blackness," looking at other families with envy, wondering why I was denied the warmth, support, and love that seemed to come so naturally to others. The pressure became so great that I tried to end my life several times, believing that peace could only be found in silence.
The Seed That Refused to Die
In 2021, when I was 19, a friend invited me to church. I fought the invitation at first—my heart was hardened by pain. But a small memory from my childhood surfaced: a memory of learning about Jesus. I thought, "Maybe there is something new for me there."
When I walked into the church, I didn't just find a building; I found a family. The warmth was immediate. However, my decision to follow Christ came with new fires. My family mocked me, and my school friends turned their backs on me. In those moments, I clung to 1 Peter 5:7, learning to cast my anxieties on the One who truly cared for me. Slowly, the miracle began: the hatred from others faded, and more importantly, God began to heal my home. The violence stopped, and the addictions that had ruled my parents for years began to lose their grip.
The Return and the Calling
Even after seeing God’s hand, I am human. During my 12th-grade year, the fear of the future led me to drift away. I followed the world and the influence of friends, losing sight of the light. But God is a shepherd who pursues the lost sheep. When I finally reached out to Him again in repentance, He was right there.
It was during this time that I was reunited with Teacher Damson and Jenn, who had taught me the Word when I was a child. They saw my heart and my struggle. When Teacher Damson asked if I wanted to serve the Lord, my heart said "Yes" before my lips could. He offered me a way to serve the ministry, a way to support my family, and a path toward my future education.
Why I Serve
Today, I am not the broken girl behind the zinc walls. I am a servant of the Most High. I serve because Jesus gave His life for me, and I want to spend mine responding to that love.
My heart for ministry is simple:
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." — 1 Peter 5:7
I was born into a life defined by scarcity and shadows. Growing up in a family burdened by poverty, my parents struggled with the heavy chains of alcohol and gambling addiction. Our home—a simple structure of zinc sheets—was often a place of fear rather than a sanctuary. I remember the sound of breaking dishes and the sight of damaged walls, but the deepest wounds were the ones on our hearts.
As the only daughter among five siblings, I felt the weight of my father’s violence when he drank and my mother’s redirected anger when he was gone. I grew up in a world of "blackness," looking at other families with envy, wondering why I was denied the warmth, support, and love that seemed to come so naturally to others. The pressure became so great that I tried to end my life several times, believing that peace could only be found in silence.
The Seed That Refused to Die
In 2021, when I was 19, a friend invited me to church. I fought the invitation at first—my heart was hardened by pain. But a small memory from my childhood surfaced: a memory of learning about Jesus. I thought, "Maybe there is something new for me there."
When I walked into the church, I didn't just find a building; I found a family. The warmth was immediate. However, my decision to follow Christ came with new fires. My family mocked me, and my school friends turned their backs on me. In those moments, I clung to 1 Peter 5:7, learning to cast my anxieties on the One who truly cared for me. Slowly, the miracle began: the hatred from others faded, and more importantly, God began to heal my home. The violence stopped, and the addictions that had ruled my parents for years began to lose their grip.
The Return and the Calling
Even after seeing God’s hand, I am human. During my 12th-grade year, the fear of the future led me to drift away. I followed the world and the influence of friends, losing sight of the light. But God is a shepherd who pursues the lost sheep. When I finally reached out to Him again in repentance, He was right there.
It was during this time that I was reunited with Teacher Damson and Jenn, who had taught me the Word when I was a child. They saw my heart and my struggle. When Teacher Damson asked if I wanted to serve the Lord, my heart said "Yes" before my lips could. He offered me a way to serve the ministry, a way to support my family, and a path toward my future education.
Why I Serve
Today, I am not the broken girl behind the zinc walls. I am a servant of the Most High. I serve because Jesus gave His life for me, and I want to spend mine responding to that love.
My heart for ministry is simple:
- To serve with sincerity: Not out of obligation, but out of genuine love.
- To serve others: To be the warmth for someone else that the church was for me.
- To glorify God: To show the world that no matter how dark the beginning, God can write a beautiful ending.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." — 1 Peter 5:7
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