“Now I know I am worthy.”
Ralph’s world went up in smoke one day… literally.
At just 14, Brittany felt herself drowning in depression and shame. A year earlier, a family member had begun to sexually abuse her, and she blamed herself. “I felt like my childhood was stolen from me.”
When she was in a serious car accident a few years later, Brittany was prescribed medications to cope with her physical pain… but she soon discovered they could numb deeper emotional wounds.
As the trauma of her abuse followed her into adulthood, she depended on substances to get by. When her mother passed away unexpectedly, Brittany’s grief sent her spiraling. “I didn’t know what to do… and I fell away from the Lord.”
At her lowest point, Brittany lost custody of her son, and for the next two years she was homeless. “I was just out in the streets… thinking I wasn’t worthy… thinking God didn’t love me.”
Then Brittany discovered she was pregnant. “I just stared at my garbage bag full of clothes in front of me – all I had – and the tears started rolling down my face,” she says. “The Lord told me I didn’t have to live like that anymore.”
A counselor guided Brittany to a rehab program where she found freedom from substances… but Brittany also desired to have a relationship with God.
She came to Buffalo City Mission’s Women and Children’s facility, Cornerstone Manor, and through Bible study and our Transitional Housing Program, she experienced healing through the Lord’s love. “God has forgiven me and I have forgiven myself… I got saved here and I am just so blessed!”
While staying with her baby at Cornerstone Manor, Brittany also regained custody of her first son! She’s grateful for the life-skills classes and spiritual guidance here that are helping her family prepare for a better future and grow in the Lord.
This Thanksgiving season – and all through the year – your kind generosity fills hearts with hope and gratitude… and transforms lives through God’s love! “I have found the Lord again and I have found myself… I can’t say thank you enough.”
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