Growing up, my childhood was anything but a fairy tale. I was a victim of child sex trafficking and satanic ritual abuse. I learned that I was to be seen and not heard. I was trained to function for only one purpose. This led me to feel worthless and like there was no point in living. I was using drugs and self-harming as a way to cope with life. When I realized that I could no longer function, I gave myself an ultimatum. I was either going to end my life or get help.
I entered Mercy with a wall around me. I didn’t feel like I could trust God or anyone else. But I was met with love, kindness, and patience. I learned that the Lord wept and His heart broke when terrible things were happening to me. Eventually, I was able to feel close to Him again. God showed me that He is the one ordering my steps and that He would never leave me or forsake me. He has created me for a divine purpose, and I don’t have to earn His approval, and I don’t have to measure up to the world’s expectations in order to be worthy of God’s love and all He has for me.
For the first time, I feel truly free. I know that life will never be perfect, but I know that God is good. He has everything figured out. I don’t need to try to control anything. God is the God of fulfillment, and He has used Mercy to bring me through to the other side.
To all the donors, thank you so much! Mercy would not be the same without every single one of you! I know you don’t get to see all of the lives you have impacted but know that lives are changing here. I pray that God blesses each one of you.