Mackenzie – 2017 Graduate

I was born to very young parents who loved me deeply. My parents had faced difficult trials themselves. In my childhood, there was anger, violence, manipulation, and drugs around. When I was young, the violence went so far that I was taken away from my parents and put in foster care. I was really hurt by being separated from my parents because they were all I knew. I was adopted out of foster care and into my current family. My family tried to help me with my emotions, but I didn’t know how to express what I was feeling. I didn’t know how to process or communicate my feelings, and when I tried, I became more emotional. I became compliant and codependent, always trying to make everyone happy. I began using my own coping mechanisms to deal with my emotions that I was unable to express. I started self-harming to escape from reality. I lived in fear of people and was insecure. I was insecure about my looks; I wanted to be skinny, and I wanted someone to love me. I began acting out and getting into bad situations.

I learned about Mercy Multiplied through another ministry that helps young women. I had reached out to them, and they suggested I apply to Mercy. I decided to apply because I wanted healing. I was excited to get to Mercy. It was good for me to be away from the situation I was in.

Attending the “Designed for Life” conference was a turning point for me while I was at Mercy. Also beneficial to me was working through a series on boundaries and repairing my relationship with my mom.

God has showed me who He truly is and that I am loved and valuable. After Mercy, I plan to go to college and share the Gospel.

I want to say thank you to all the donors. This program has changed my life completely, and I will never be the same. Not only am I truly happy, my soul is saved for eternity.