Jennah – 2016 Graduate

I had my first encounter with eating disorder behavior when I was 16. After that, I struggled with believing that I was beautiful. I never felt good enough and was constantly searching for a man who would love me. I was raped when I was 17. At age 18, I gave myself to my first boyfriend, who slept with my best friend two weeks later. I was in a series of bad relationships and when I was 24, I was physically abused by a boyfriend. On my birthday the next year, it got so bad that he almost killed me. I felt God telling me that I needed to get out of this situation, and that if I didn’t I wouldn’t make it to 26. At this point I was on my way to killing myself by malnourishment. 

I heard about Mercy from my youth pastor. I knew that I needed help, and didn’t want to live in fear and sadness anymore. Before coming to Mercy, I spent five months preparing for the program.

When I got to Mercy I was very ready to start the healing process and find myself again. I experienced turning point after turning point. My journey at Mercy taught me more about who God is and who I am in Him.

At Mercy, God taught me how beautiful I am. He showed me that the things that happened to me in the past were not my fault and do not define me. I now believe that I am worthy of love and a daughter of the King. 

In the future I plan to open a gluten-free bakery and eventually help girls with eating disorders fall back in love with food.

Thank you so much to all of the donors for allowing Mercy to be a place where girls can come to find healing and hope.