Gracie – 2017 Graduate

While I was growing up, my mother struggled with addictions. My father was a Marine and was deployed often. My parents divorced, and my mother remarried. I grew up exposed to alcohol all the time, so when I became depressed, alcohol was the first thing I ran to. I was sexually abused by a family member, and this caused me to struggle with insecurity, anxiety, and addiction throughout high school.

I learned about Mercy Multiplied through my mother. She saw Mercy on Facebook and knew it was the place I needed to go. I decided to apply because I was exhausted from getting in trouble, always being depressed, and I didn’t want to spend the rest of my high school career in and out of mental hospitals. I was tired of my addictions. When I arrived at Mercy, I was shy and I walked around with a mask on. I tried telling myself, “I won’t be here long.” Then reality set in, and I knew I needed to stay longer!

A major turning point for me during my Mercy journey was attending The Belonging Conference and the Designed For Life Conference! I heard more about the Lord and experimented with worship. I have more confidence in my worshipping now, and I had a lot of breakthroughs there!

I learned so much about God and His loving character while at Mercy! I learned that He is a good Father and that He will never leave my side. I learned that when I was struggling with all my addictions and my sexual abuse, God was right there beside me the whole time. God was weeping and hurting with me as I encountered the enemy’s traps!

After Mercy, I plan to finish high school. I plan to go to college and pursue a career as a doctor in medicine. I hope to help girls in mental hospitals.

Mercy donors, thank you so much for your generosity. Because you have been obedient to the Lord, you make it possible for us young women to come to Mercy free of charge. Most girls wouldn’t be able to come if we had to pay for our stay. So, I thank you so much for your giving.