Chester found out that, just because Jesus saves us from our past and gives us hope for the future, life can still be hard. Difficult challenges and choices are part of the journey. For Chester, this included something he was never able to do before... forgive his father for years of abuse and neglect.

The hate that Chester had harbored for his father since childhood was driving him to drink, despair, and death. Through the intervention of an understanding judge and a caring friend, Chester would have another opportunity to face his self-destructive behavior and pursue a new life.

Chester grew up in Eel Ground First Nation. His troubled childhood left him with deep hurt and a miserable existence. He tried to end his life. Thankfully, he wasn't successful. Listen to part one of his story which helps set the background for his inspiring journey of overcoming alcoholism and hate.

Sophronia's life from early childhood was marked by anger at being shipped off to boarding school. Then alcohol took over after her mother died. When she 'found Jesus', she told everyone how SHE had won over the battle over alcohol, but until she recognized that true and total victory is only found in Jesus, she discovered that she really wasn't free.

Paul is a full-blooded Aleut, born in Egegik in 1935. In part 2 of his story, he shares about one of his life's most difficult moments. He lost his precious daughter Jewell to cancer while she was a college student. We understand though that words cannot describe the pain of losing a child that you have loved and cared for. How does one cope with such a loss? Paul was able to because of the hope and peace he had found before she passed away.

Paul is a full-blooded Aleut, born in Egegik in 1935. Growing up, he lived in the village of Kanatik during the winter. But in the Springtime his family would walk over the mountain and cross the lake called Becharof to go back to Egegik in order to make ends meet. Like this journey, his early life was filled with difficult challenges... but he was an ambitious young man.

The Storyteller New Years Special with Tom Claus (Mohawk)

New Years Eve is a very special time in the Claus family. It was on that night many years ago on the Six Nations reserve that the family gathered together around the radio and heard a message that would change their lives forever. Listen as Tom reflects on the significance of that day. This is a Storyteller Classic!

From the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, Chug and Karen Garreau welcome us into their home as they share Christmas memories and the true story of the greatest gift ever given. There was a time they didn’t know the significance, but now they do, and it’s changed everything. If you’ve ever wondered if there’s anything to it, make sure to join us for this special Christmas edition of The Storyteller.

Janet continues her story... sharing about how she was strong-willed but came to realize that she couldn't do everything on her own. Years later she found herself in a relationship and pregnant. Against her boyfriends' wishes she decided to keep her baby. That choice would ultimately change her life forever.

Janet grew up on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. In her youth, she was an ambitious and self-reliant young girl who was not afraid to make tough choices. Maybe that's because of growing up with alcohol where she came face to face with fear, neglect, and abuse.