Autumn – 2014 Graduate

I was adopted when I was eight. A year later, one of my family members, who was also a church leader, started sexually abusing me. At the age of 18, I moved out of my adoptive family’s home. I got caught up in the lifestyle of drinking, smoking, and being promiscuous. I accepted Jesus as my Savior at the age of 19. Despite this, I started once again smoking and drinking. Soon after that, I found myself addicted to heavier drugs, especially heroin.

A friend gave me a Mercy application in the process of me trying to quit heroin. I decided to apply because I realized I couldn’t overcome the addictions I was struggling with on my own. I came to Mercy bitter but ready to do whatever I had to do to be free from the addictions that were keeping me in bondage.

While at Mercy, God revealed to me that He not only loves me, but also enjoys who I am. He enjoys being in relationship with who He created me to be. For the first time in my life, I also started enjoying the person God created me to be. Now freedom, joy and peace replace the lies I believed before coming to Mercy.

God has blessed me in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I have learned and choose to believe that God’s Word is absolute truth. I now use the truth about who God says I am to replace the lies that once defined me.

After Mercy, I plan to go back to school to pursue a degree in social work. I hope to get involved in a local church and help teach kids about the gospel through sports.

To the Mercy donors, I can’t begin to explain how your faithfulness in giving to Mercy has given me abundant freedom, joy and peace. God has blessed me in so many ways through your willingness to give. Thank you so much for your blessings that are truly making a difference. God is good and faithful, especially in knowing that there are donors out there so willing to make Mercy possible. Thank you!