A great party in Vienna

Vienna, the former imperial residence and capital, some people call it the ‘Heart of Austria’, offers various possibilities to enjoy life and is ranked as one of the most beautiful cities of the world.
Unfortunately, this metropolis is facing a huge drug-problem with the ‘Karlsplatz’ as main meeting point for drug addicts and dealers.
It’s great that there are people who are willing to invest and help. A team from HELP International is serving in Vienna since 20 years.

This team visits the drug addicts on the streets, encouraging them to go for drug therapy in our rehab center.
Last week they celebrated their 20th anniversary with lots of guests from Austria and Germany. Even the founders of this ministry were there and many people expressed their gratitude to this ministry.
We are happy for our “Austrians” and wish them further successful years in ministry!

Rehab Vienna - Way out of the chaos.

Stefan, a participant in our rehab center in Austria, reports: “My life was an utter chaos; I was passed around from one place to another.

Since my mom was not able to care for me and my three brothers I ended up in an orphanage for the very first time at the age of three. When I was seven I stayed with my mom for a while again. However, she was very violent and unpredictable, due to her problems with alcohol and pills.

I lived with a growing fear of her tempers and always counted on violence. So I was brought back to the orphanage.
I got to know my dad when I was ten, but unfortunately he passed away shortly afterwards.
I started to lose touch with reality, hovered around on the streets, consumed booze and drugs and had constant brawls at school. Back then I had my first dealings with the police. At fifteen I began an apprenticeship as a butcher, but never finished it.

Booze, drugs and a chaotic lifestyle made it impossible for me to live a meaningful life.
In 2003, after several years of delinquency, a friend told me about Jesus. Something about her and her life was definitely different! So I wanted to get to know this Jesus, too, and asked him to show me the way out of my chaos.

Said and done – God listened to me and gave me new hope. I sensed his peace inside, but had no concrete ideas, how to turn things around in my life. After getting to know quite a few Christians and learning more about Jesus, I realized very soon, that I needed a change I couldn’t work out on my own.

So I decided to join the rehab of HELP-FCJG in Vienna. Since then eight months have passed by and I’m experiencing how God is teaching and strengthening me to cope with the challenges of daily life.
Stefan