Rusty's Testimony

I was born and raised on Long Island N.Y.  I wasn't raised in a christian home, though I went to church with my mother and sister when I was young.  In 1971, before I was saved, I sang and played country, pop and 50's rock and roll music in bars and clubs.  In 1980 a few events including the death of my father had really shaken me so I moved to Florida where my mother and sister had moved earlier.  I couldn't keep a job, played my music and I struggled emotionally.  One night I was drunk after playing in a bar and I fell asleep in my car which I was living in at the time.  When I woke up the next morning, my guitar, amplifier and equipment and all of my songs were stolen out of my car.  I was at the bottom.  I met a drummer who was a christian who became my best friend.  Around the same time I started searching for the Lord and with the help of my friends influence in 1986 God showed himself to me in a powerful way.  My friend then brought me to Rochester NY where the Lord showed me that He wanted me to stay and I met my wife Rhonda.  We had three sons Michael, Elijah, and Jonathan. We were married for 14 years when Rhonda got cancer and went to be with the Lord.  After Rhonda died I couldn't pick up my guitar and play again but I held onto God.  I met and remarried my present wife Diane and God has healed and restored me.  From 1990 to the present I've had many health problems.  I've broken my neck, I've had double bypass heart surgery, I've survived cancer twice and the list could go on, but the Lord has brought me through it all and has shown me his love , mercy and faithfulness in a much deeper way.  PRAISE GOD!