May 2014 Newsletter

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Gateway To A New Life

Michelle’s childhood was one of being spoiled and lacking discipline. Her father died when she was six-yearsold. Her mother sank into a deep depression because of it and never recovered. Michelle was too young and immature to fend off the negative influences of peer pressure and even family members. She was introduced to drugs before she ever started grade school. Her innocence of living without a drug was stolen from her. In her formative years, she developed into an increasingly more dependent addict. She said, “Drugs are mind altering. When you get high, you want to drink. You want to try something that gives you a different high, another drug.”

Michelle’s adult life has been marred with troubles. She fell deep into the whole daily, dependent drug lifestyle. She had sporadic employment, unstable relationships, domestic violence, no home of her own to raise her son, then lost her son to foster care, because of her behavior.

Samaritan Inn was Michelle’s gate way to a new life. She said, “I had never been to a shelter before. It was scary at first. I would have been positive for drugs. Now I’m clean; it was six months on Tuesday. I had never been clean before, ever, not since I was twenty. From age 20 to 44, I was never clean; its amazing.”

Her motivation came from wanting to get her son back, but she lacked the means and the willpower. She said, “I had to accept that I am an addict. If it wasn’t for Samaritan Inn, I would not have had a place to lay my head at night or the support of the other women. All the ladies prayed for me. I heard their testimonies. They kept me from using (drugs) again. The rules kept me in check. I love Samaritan Inn, and I’m thankful for Susan and Vickie (staff ). Michelle went on to share what she has learned, and who she has become. “God forgives no matter what you do. He has a plan for everybody. He answers prayers, even the most, little prayers. Before, I was a fan, now I’m a follower.” After months of our chapel messages, devotional times and counseling, Michelle went forward in an alter call at New Beginnings Church. She said, “I want to keep my church; I love Pastor Randy.”

Because she has done so well in her time here at the Mission, Michelle has regained custody of her son. She has a job, and soon this reunited family will move on to independent living. She said, “If it wasn’t for this place, I would have no place to go. Its what saved my life and helped me get my son back and my sobriety.”

For 8-year-old Justin, when his mom was not really being his mom, the world was just not right. Now his world has been set right. He has good reason to smile; a gateway to hope and happiness has opened for him too.