[MUSIC PLAYING]

NEIL: I was told how much potential I had.

If you're going to steal, let me teach you how to steal.

Because, Kid, I'm either going to show you diamonds,

or I'm going to show you bars.

NARRATOR: Neil Rosama remembers the time

he got caught stealing when he was eight.

It was the same day his dad, a professional thief,

finally gave him some attention.

I found a way, I found an avenue-- this makes him happy.

This has him.

This has us connected.

And that was there the first time

that I really ever felt like my father loved me.

NARRATOR: Over the next decade, he followed his dad's lead,

learning the ins and outs of being a thief.

While it gave him time with his father, it came at a price.

I always knew from the beginning that it was wrong,

and I was never happy deep down inside with the person

that I became.

I just wanted my father to love me.

That's all.

That's all I've ever wanted.

I just wanted my father to love me.

NARRATOR: Neil started using pot, cocaine, and other drugs,

but nothing killed the pain.

Then, a friend introduced him to heroin.

As soon as I got up after inhaling this drug,

I looked at him and I said, I don't know what that was,

but I have a new habit.

NEIL: I immediately felt peace, I felt calm,

I felt like I didn't care.

I never wanted to quit this.

Never.

NARRATOR: For the next seven years,

Neil supported his addiction by working in bars

and stealing, which landed him in jail on several occasions.

During that time, he suffered a devastating loss

when his father passed away.

But then he started dating Kerry, who was a Christian.

We spent a lot of time together and just getting

to know each other and I fell in love with Neil,

there's no question.

The fact that someone this wonderful

would even want to spend time with a guy like me?

That brought hope.

There's a better way to live, and there's

someone on this earth that might love me.

NARRATOR: As much as Neil cared for Kerry,

he couldn't let go of his addiction,

and kept it hidden from her.

NEIL: I wanted to change, even if it was just for her.

But I couldn't overcome it.

NARRATOR: Eventually, the two got engaged.

But just weeks later, Neil was arrested

for stealing a wallet from a gym locker and was put in jail.

NEIL: I was devastated to know that when she finds truth,

she's going to leave, and the one person that loved me,

that I knew loved me, I was going to lose--

and it was because of me.

NARRATOR: With no one to turn, to Neil

called Kerry to post bond.

By now, she had talked to a friend of Neil's who

had told her everything.

My heart just got ripped out, and I told him

I didn't want to see them anymore.

And I ended their relationship.

NEIL: When I put that phone down, I was in a daze

because for the very first time in my life,

I felt absolutely and completely alone.

Even if I had the money to bond out that day,

I had nowhere to go-- absolutely nowhere to call.

NARRATOR: Neil returned to his cell.

NEIL: And for the first time in my life, and I'd

never done this, I looked up and I said, God, I'm all alone.

I've hit rock bottom.

I have nothing left.

I have nothing more.

I can't give anymore.

I'm tired of this.

If you'll help me, if you'll protect me,

help me get through this-- I'll follow you

for the rest my life, no matter what.

I collapsed and I fell on the floor and I couldn't move.

And I could feel something hovering over me

and I could feel the warmth of something going through me

and it felt like there were things

inside being moved around, things being taken out,

things being put back in.

And then all of a sudden, it went completely quiet.

And it took everything I had just to climb up in my bunk

and pass out.

When I woke up the next morning after that,

the desire for heroin was completely gone.

All the terrible things were inside of me,

weren't there anymore.

For the first time in my life without chemicals,

I felt peace, I felt love.

NARRATOR: Neil began praying, reading his Bible,

and repenting for his actions.

And a week later, he was called to the visitor room.

There waiting for him was Kerry.

I just told him everything that was on my heart.

I felt like God had said that he wanted me to stay with him

and to pray with him and to fight for him,

and if he was willing to do the right thing that I

would do that with him.

He didn't have to do that.

And the fact that He went above and beyond

brought the person that I loved the most

in this whole entire world back to me, that sealed it for me.

NARRATOR: Neil was sentenced to 4 and 1/2 years.

He and Kerry used that time to grow in their relationship

with each other and with God.

And immediately after his release in 2007, they married.

Today, Neil is an operations manager for one

of the largest landscaping companies in Illinois.

But he says his most important roles

are as a husband and father to their four children.

Jesus never gives up on us.

I don't care what you've done, I don't

care what your addiction is, I don't care

what you're struggling with.

Give it up.

Don't wait.

He loves you unconditionally.