Racheal – 2013 Graduate
I was born in Israel and experienced physical, 
emotional, and sexual abuse within my family. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I had to help raise my siblings. Food was often withheld from me, with the explanation that I didn’t deserve it. This opened a door to the destruction of an eating disorder and self-harm. At a young age, a family member introduced me to drugs and alcohol as well. When I was 17, I was forced into an arranged marriage that was also abusive. I was so hopeless that I attempted suicide several times. By the grace of God, I was able to get out of that relationship, but I had shamed my family. I was abandoned by my family, and put on an airplane to the United States with no money or instruction. I continued to struggle in my addictions and found myself in controlling relationships. The only thing I held onto was a life-transforming experience I had when I visited a church one day.
I was living on the streets when I found out about Mercy through a woman I met at church. She said God woke her up and told her to call me. I had been crying and was so desperate about my life. When I arrived at Mercy, I felt dead inside. I was so afraid because of the constant fear I had been living with. I was at least happy to feel safe.
God used Mercy to help bring me back to life. My time there was hard and painful, but definitely worth it. I learned that was God was not angry with me. The staff showed me what true love looks like and today I feel safe. I now know what it’s like to really be cared for by people in my life. Until I got to Mercy, I did not realize what happened to me was wrong. I thought that was “just life.” I have also learned that I need to daily choose to take off my masks and be real. I also chose to forgive those who hurt me, surrender control, and let God’s will, not mine, be done. I learned who Jesus is, not only as my Rescuer and Savior but as my personal Healer. In addition to all the heart work God has done in my life, I learned basic life skills. I learned how to use a computer and phone and am now studying to get my driver’s license. I have no words to describe all the things that God used Mercy and the staff to do for me and in me.
I am definitely not the same girl I was when I walked out of Mercy three years ago. Some days it feels like I graduated yesterday, but others it feels like it was 20 or 30 years ago because of all the amazing things that God has done in and through me in the meantime. Today I walk in so much more freedom, love, wisdom, maturity, and authority. It’s beautiful that Jesus loves us so much that He just continues to change us every day to make us more and more like Him.
The scripture Matthew 19:29 says, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” This is how I live every day.
Since graduating from Mercy, God took me to more than 15 countries to love His beautiful people and bring the Good News to them.
Here are some of the stories I have been a part of:
- I had the honor to go to Mozambique and attend Harvest School of Mission. While I was there, God continued the good work He started in me at Mercy, of continuing to change and heal me so I was ready to be sent out to the darkest corners of the earth.
- I went back to Israel to love the people that hurt me in the past. While I was there, I got to visit the doctor who told me I would be dead at age 20 because of my eating disorder. When he saw me healed and full of joy at 25, he said, “I don’t believe in miracles, but looking at you I must say that you are one BIG miracle. Praise Jesus.”
- I went to Jordan to love on the beautiful refugees there. I gave them bread to eat and water to drink, all while telling them about the Living Water. Each of these individuals came to know and love Jesus.
- Counseling girls that were affected by ISIS.
- Going to Turkey to help rescue girls out of sex trafficking and see God heal them trough the power of His love.
When I came back from Turkey, God started speaking to me about Isaiah 19. This chapter speaks about the brokenness of Egypt and a highway between Egypt and Israel that will lead to Egypt praising the Lord. So, I went to Egypt and spent two months there learning the language and culture. I saw revival everywhere I went. I went back to Egypt, this time for four months, and God put the street kids on my heart. I am currently working to open a home for them where they will be able to go to school and hear about Jesus.
I am so thankful to the staff at Mercy for showing me the love of Jesus that I am now able to multiply!