"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord..." 2 Timothy 1:8-9 NIV

Testimony of Deitdra Arbertha

My name is Deitdra Arbertha. I was born in Oklahoma City, Feb. 25, 1965. I am now 38 years old. I have lived a good and a bad life. This is my testimony while I’m in prison.

I was born to Simon and Sharon Arbertha. I have three brothers, David, Kelley, and Rickey. I left home at the age of 14 of my own choice. I have been on my own since then. I quit school in the 10^th grade because I thought I knew it all. I got married at the age of 19 and that’s when my son James came along. Things weren’t really that bad for me then, but there was on important thing missing (Jesus). Because I know Jesus I have had a spiritual guidance in my life from the age of 12 to 14. My father’s second wife was a very good Christian person and was a great encouragement for me. At the age of 21, I left my first husband even though he was a good man. I thought I was missing something like freedom to do as I wanted to. If only I knew what I know now. That’s when my life began to go down hill. I started out using marijuana and smoking cigarettes and hanging out with the wrong people that didn’t mean me any good.

Then at the age of 25, the drug habit got bigger. At first, it was primos and drinking like crazy. And to top it all off, I got a bingo habit too. I really had it bad. This went on for about 2 years then I started on the pipe with crack cocaine. I stopped caring about myself and anyone else, family, good friends and good men. And the most important person in my life, James Arbertha I lost as well. I did all kinds of crazy stuff, I stole, robbed, sold myself, lied, cheated, and you name it. The only thing I didn’t do was to kill. But the bible says that there is no sin greater than the next.

At the age of 27, I started getting into trouble with the law. I was going in and out of jail. Then at age 30, I got some prison time for drugs; 5 in and 5 out. I turned my life over then, but I played church because my heart wasn’t in it. I wanted the blessing, but not the Blesser, and the Blesser is what we really need more than the blessing. I got out and wanted my own way, thinking I could do it on my own. After He blessed me like He did I spent only one month in prison in 1995. I prayed and prayed Lord please let me go home and that’s what I got in return. I made some very bad mistakes in my life and I blame myself for my own choices I made because I know deep down it didn’t have to be like that. Because we serve a good God all the time and all He wants is a relationship with us.

So I ended back in prison again in 1996 which where I am right now. And I know the Lord didn’t put me in prison because He’s not that kind of God. But I count it all joy, because this time in I’m doing things differently. I am getting to know Him with all my heart, body and soul. He has been good to me all the time through my bad and good. And this last 1-½ years he has done miracles in my life and my husbands’ life. He has kept my marriage together and restored my family back. My mother, who didn’t write at first, writes me now. Praise the Lord. And I’m not praying just to go home, I’m praying for His will to be done in my life, because when He does it His way I will be free indeed. I will not have to look at these prison doors again and I will be a living testimony he wants me to be for people who may go through what I’ve been through. The joy I have now is beyond my comprehension. I see a brand new miracles coming to me. Jesus is the most wonderful thing that has happened to me. Keep praying for all my loved ones and me and I will do the same. God bless you.

Your sister in Christ, Deitdra Arbertha

Permission to use granted by Don Holt
Breaking Free Newsletter - August 1997

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