My life was complete chaos before Mercy. I dealt with many forms of abuse. From the ages 7-9, I was sexually abused. In elementary school and middle school I was bullied. And I was raped at 14. All of this led me to suicidal thoughts and self-harm at a young age. I began to believe I was not good enough for anyone. I was involved sexually with men and women starting in middle school. I began a relationship in high school that lasted for 7 years that was emotionally and physically abusive. He also had multiple other relationships. This added to a lie that I was not good enough for anyone. I was exploited in college and was involved in prostitution for 5 years. This lifestyle landed me in some extremely dangerous situations. I was broken, lying my way through life, and hurting anyone in my path. I fully believed I was a mistake and was created for men to use. At the age of 25 I was completely done with life and attempted to take my life.
I found out about Mercy when I called a suicide hotline. I decided to apply because I have always been a fighter and God was something I hadn’t fully tried yet. I figured if God didn’t work then I was no worse off, and there truly was no point to life. When I came to Mercy I was shut off emotionally and pretended like I had it all together. I had zero self-worth and fully believed I was created for people to abuse. I did not believe in God and if He was real, could not understand how He was so called “a good God” or that He loved me.
A turning point for me at Mercy was when God showed up supernaturally in my life. I was angry and realized how much pain I was truly in and I felt completely alone. I was yelling at God asking Him where He was, and if He loved me, then why was He always leaving me alone. A staff member gave me a hug and later told me that God had told her that I needed a hug right then. In that moment God fully revealed to me that He was real, He did see me, and He did care about me. He also began to rebuild my identity at Mercy and showed me what my true worth was: His priceless masterpiece that was worth His ultimate price.
God completely saved my life. He has given me back joy in my life and a desire to live. He has shown me who I truly am in Christ as well as whom he created me to be. I really love who I am and know what my worth is. He has shown me the depth of His love for me.
To the donors, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I could not afford any care and being able to come here for free literally saved my life. Thank you for being apart of Christ’s move to bring me into His family and save my life!