DeAsia – 2017 Graduate

I was born to a very young mom. My mother leaned on me as a child to help watch my younger brothers, and I ended up missing kindergarten and some of first grade. Because of family troubles, I went to live with my father. My father had his own troubles, so I was passed around amongst my family members and in the foster system until I was adopted when I was 13. I was sexually abused throughout those years, and then I was assaulted, so I struggled with depression because I thought that everything was my fault. I started self-harming to help numb my pain, but that only added to my depression. I felt very isolated and alone and started having suicidal ideations. I tried to go to college and work and pretend like everything was okay, but the harder I tried, the more depressed I got. I was hospitalized twice in one year for about a week each time because I was serious about taking my life.

I learned about Mercy Multiplied through a friend who had graduated from the Nashville home. I decided to apply because I was out of options and felt like it was my last chance at hope. Everything I had tried hadn’t worked. When I first walked in, I had many walls up and expected people to judge me for being here.

A turning point in my journey at Mercy came after a Wednesday night service. I knew I needed to rededicate my heart to Christ. It was after that night and hearing a guest speaker in the home that I felt like I had a heart shift and I was finally able to let my walls down.

God has totally changed my outlook on life. I am more joyful and have so much more peace. I know who I am in Christ, and NOTHING or NO ONE can tell me different. I know that God speaks to me, and He loves me! He is the Father I never had and has amazing plans for my life. I don’t have to hang my head in shame because Jesus took that for me so that I can walk with my head held high.

After Mercy, I plan to return to school to complete my degree in social work. I would also like to do some type of discipleship schooling as well so that I can work in ministry.

Mercy donors, thank you so much for your support! Without your generosity and support, I would not have had such an amazing opportunity! I have so much hope and joy, and I know that I have a purpose and a bright future. Who knows where I would be today if I didn’t have Mercy?