Growing up I experienced a lot of abuse and neglect at home, at church, and at school. This led to self-harm and thoughts of suicide beginning in elementary school, and my first suicide attempt around age 14. I never knew what it was like to want to live, and I thought that I would never go a day without wanting to die. I applied to Mercy, threatening God that if Mercy couldn’t help me then I would end my life, and this was His last chance to save me.
I came to Mercy kicking and screaming and shaking my fist at God. But with such gentleness and compassion, He started showing me who He really is. First, He actually gave me an amazing counselor, and He brought me to the right home with incredible staff. Here He showed me what unconditional love is, that He is a good Father and that He values and cherishes my life. I have now gone not just one day, but months without wanting to die. Mercy has without a doubt been the best thing that has ever happened to me. Words cannot describe how thankful I am for what God has done in my life at Mercy. I can testify that I truly am another life that has been transformed.
After Mercy, I am moving in hopes to continue living the abundant life that Jesus has promised us. Throughout my life, I hope to show others God’s goodness, grace, and unconditional love so that they too can know what life in Christ is like.
To the donors, I would say thank you— because of you my life was saved. If it weren’t for Mercy, I would be dead and gone. I also would have never been able to come to Mercy if it included a cost.