I was disfellowshipped when I was 18 years old. My life was hanging by a thread at the time - I lost my job (I was employed by 2 elders at the time), I lost my apartment (I had shared it with a pioneer sister), my family rejected me, and I had no means of transportation (I had purchased a junk car from a ministerial servant about a month before I was disfellowshipped - it broke down shortly after I purchased it and it was my tough luck). My life could have gone in a number of different directions, but I am THANKFUL TO GOD that he helped me through. I had about $200 in the bank and started doing some temporary jobs so that I could eventually get back on my feet financially. During this time, I decided I really wanted to go back to college. I went to see a college guidance counselor who ended up changing my life. She listened to me, was compassionate, and saw potential in me. She helped me get a scholarship to cover about 1/4 of my tuition. (I had previously turned away scholarship money when I was a JW - she got it all back for me!) She told me to believe in myself and that I could make it through college. On top of that, she was able to help me get a permanent job which would ultimately pay the remaining cost of my college expenses. Her husband was a district court judge, and needed a courtroom assistant at the time. I'll never forget sitting in her office - she called her husband and told him she had found the best assistant he could have. I was the person for the job - I got it without even an interview. What a wonderful lady. I will never forget her. There are so many other wonderful people I could comment about, but she was there at a critical time and helped me start my life over as a non-JW.