From Light to Darkness to Glory

Book excerpt: Robert Bienvenu was born into a traditional, upper middle classfamily. He spent an idyllic childhood growing up with his brothers and sisters in a small town in south Louisiana. His bright future darkened suddenly, however, when schizophrenia presented, triggered by a traumatic experience as a very young man. From Light to Darkness to Glory recounts his tortured journey through a devastating mental illness that he didn't understand anddidn't even know he had for years. By the time he finally came toterms with his disease, his life had changed irrevocably. Robert suffered through one failed relationship, one failed job, and onefailed aspiration after another. He plunged through life in adownward spiral until he finally found the strength to slow thedescent. Reaching back to the athletic activities he had loved as an adolescent, Robert picked up pole vaulting and weightlifting again, ultimately earning numerous awards and titles for his skill and dexterity in powerlifting. But finding the patient souls who helped him find real strength in the glory of God and thesort of faith he'd never known proved to be the lucky break that saved his life. Robert's rekindled strength of spirit grew out ofthat newfound faith and depends on the personal relationship he has developed with Jesus Christ. That relationship has enabled him to face his demons, excel in athletic competition, and help others through a community television program that focuses on mental illness. This is Robert's version of that neverending story.