July 2022 Newsletter

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A Beacon of Hope

Kara said, “”I just wanted the American dream: family, house, job, picket fence out front.” However, life has dealt some setbacks. Troubles have been from heredity, circumstance, and poor choice. She has the obstacles of attention-deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADHD) and restless leg syndrome (RLS). She has taken medications on and off without any satisfaction. She attended special education classes and graduated from high school. Kara has a strong work ethic and a good job at a local retailer.

Life took a bad turn with an online relationship, wanting to believe everything. Unrealized expectations became disappointment, frustration, anger. Addiction was not an issue for either of them, but her new husband had an obsession with video games to the point of ignoring her and neglecting household chores. He spit in chew bottles left around and spent money on himself. He lost a couple of jobs. They argued, yelled, and he shoved her several times. Police were called by a neighbor. He was not supportive during her pregnancy, and refused to be present for delivery. Department of Human Services had already opened a case, and were at the hospital to observe her mothering ability. Afterward, DHS made unexpected house calls, finding unacceptable conditions. Again, police were called for loud arguing, then in front of a child, which is a form of domestic violence. Eventually, they lost custody of their baby. Kara was diagnosed with depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, PTSD, and codependency. In addition, she had no foundation of faith, especially after her trusted grandmother renounced her Christian beliefs.

She was broken, abandoned, without family support, unemployed, and homeless. She needed to be rescued physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. Without addressing all of these needs, she would not know true healing. Samaritan Inn was here for her. Three days after arriving, she found a job and began rebuilding her life. Kara said, “”Samaritan Inn positively brought me out of my funk, keeps me level headed. There are people to talk to, especially staff. I love worship time, music. I function better with music, its uplifting, makes me joyful.” She said that when she arrived here, she was a Wiccan (a religion that worships nature) like her mother. At Samaritan Inn after a chapel service, Kara threw away her pentagram necklace (a five sided star used in Pagan belief, ritual, and witchcraft). She said, “I threw away beliefs, that I was not sure I had.” She disowned that idol, a seed of Truth was planted, and she is now seeking the Lord. She has discovered “A Beacon of Hope for the Homeless” (our motto). Contentment is to be found first in the kingdom of God, then material goals will have new perspective.