By Andy Dalton
An ex-prisoner, former addict, drug dealer and criminal will be telling his story about his journey away from crime this weekend.
Rod Williams grew up in a loving family. However, he began to experiment with cannabis, which proved to be the gateway drug that took him into a dark world of hard drugs, crime, gambling and prison.
Dealing in drugs at 18 he progressed to smuggling drugs by his early 20s. He was relentless in his pursuit to make money whatever the cost. By his 23rd birthday he was addicted to heroin.
Rod will be sharing his story and recounting his pursuit of a lifestyle that promised money, pleasure, power and popularity. Instead it left him broken, lost and desperate.
As a drug dealer who became addicted to heroin and gambling, he saw his life spiral out of control. He very quickly lost everything including his freedom. He found himself serving a four year prison sentence for importing crack cocaine and heroin into the island of Guernsey.
However when at his lowest point in a prison cell, Rod had what is best described as a ‘Damascus Road conversion’. The result was that it changed him forever – dramatically. After his release he received help from a Christian rehabilitation residential programme in Cheshire.
In 2014 he wrote a book about his experiences ‘The Real Deal’. This has now sold over 29,000 copies. Rod is now going back into prisons to share with inmates that change is possible
Rod is also a professional trickster. From a young age he developed tricks/illusions to impress his friends. During school break times he would perform card tricks and has never forgotten the amazement and astonishment on their faces.
In recent years he has revived these skills and has performed over 300 events – best described as an illusion/magic show – and used them to illustrate and explain his dramatic journey away from drugs and crime.
Rod has been invited by Leeds City Mission (LCM) to come and share some of these tricks and tell his amazing story at their special City Mission Christmas Evening. This will be held this coming Saturday evening (7 December) at 7.00 pm. New Whingate Methodist Church, Whingate, Armley, LS12 3EJ have kindly offered their premises to host this event.
Leeds City Mission Development Worker Andy Dalton said: “Rod’s story will demonstrate that change is possible and there is hope for anyone who feels that they are struggling with addiction and temptation. It is quite a story and the tricks he performs are just amazing.”
The event is free and all are welcome.
Leeds City Mission has worked among prisoners and ex-offenders for many years.
Over its 184-year-history LCM has reached out with practical compassion and hope to those who have transgressed the law of the land. LCM employs a prison chaplain amongst its staff team.
LCM is a multi-church agency organising a number of projects from its Compassion Centre in Mistress Lane, Armley, helping people at the margins of life. More details on 0113 345 3118 or e-mail lcm1837@gmail.com.
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