In 2001, I was sentenced to 13 years in Prison № 26 in Zhovti Vody.

I first got to know about Hope Now 20 years ago in Bishopsgate. Working in a nearby office building, I would go to their Tuesday lunchtime church services.

Once a notorious gangster and drug baron, South Africa’s public enemy number one, Solomon Staggie was ministered to by Vic Jackopson in Pollsmoor Prison.

When I was in prison, the officers told me my faith would last till I got to the first beerhouse. In twelve years of freedom, I've passed many beerhouses.  I want to tell you how God found me and showed His mercy to me.

Partners in Hope may recall that last November we introduced a young lady called Zhenya Chernova, who dreamed of becoming a missionary and wanted to go to university to study journalism.

Solomon Staggie was a gangster, murderer and reckoned throughout South Africa as public enemy number one.  Ten years ago he became a Christian in Pollsmore Prison and received help from Vic Jackopson before being sentenced to 25 years in another prison.