Amanda – 2014 Graduate

There were several men in my life that were supposed to protect me, but instead sexually abused me. Eventually, the truth came out about my abuse and, for a long time, I was in denial about it all. I ended up going to counseling, but it didn’t help much. I soon became very promiscuous. I eventually came to live at a Christian children’s home in Alabama called Big Oak Ranch—it was a safe place and gave me a “normal” family life. This is also where I found out about Mercy.

I decided to apply to Mercy because I needed help, I needed healing, and I knew that I could not do it on my own. When I came to Mercy I was very broken and hurt. I carried around SO much shame and guilt because of the things that I had done or that were done to me. I lived like I was always the victim.

While at Mercy, the Lord has healed me of all of the shame and guilt. He has shown me that I am His daughter, and despite all of the stuff that might happen here on Earth, He is ALWAYS the one in control. He has delivered me from a lot of anxiety, and He has also shown me what it is like to walk in a relationship with Him. I have learned what His voice is to me. He has shown me his GREAT love, and that He was there even when I going through the abuse.

My plans after Mercy are to finish high school and then go to college to pursue a degree in elementary education. I also want to be a mother, so in the future, I would love to meet my dream man and have a family. I would love to travel the world and go and share the love of our Father. I want to mentor girls who are hurting and need to know that there can be beauty from ashes.

I would like to thank those who support Mercy for giving me the opportunity to come here to receive healing and restoration. You will NEVER know how greatly appreciative I am. I am eternally grateful for you!