Ephesians 2:10, New Living Translation

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

I grew up in a fatherless home with many different men in and out of my life. Home was very dysfunctional with verbal and mental abuse. My grandparents called me things like stupid, never amount to anything, etc.

I believed the lies and it became my identity. From the age ten to sixteen I was sexually abused by 4 men, some of whom were family members. I became extremely depressed, and I tried to cover my pain with five attempts of suicide and overdosing on pills. During this I was introduced to drugs at fourteen years old. I used it to socialize with others and feel “normal.” I hated myself and felt like my childhood was stripped from me.

November 7, 2018, I went to Teen Challenge for 17 months where I met Jesus and tried to change my life. Towards graduation I knew I didn’t take anything seriously. I went home for a six-day visit with my family, and I relapsed with alcohol within thirty minutes of being home. I felt devastated and completely lost and confused. I didn’t understand what happened, but I knew in my heart I should not have gone back into the dysfunction I came from.

March 25, 2020, I came to the Freedom Home where I fell deeper in love with Jesus. I knew I needed a do-over and to take things from the head to the heart. I learned who I am in Christ and that I had to choose to believe and confess who I am in Him.

Now I know that I am a masterpiece, created in the image of Christ, made for good works to fulfill the will of God. I am proud to be a disciple of Christ and be a part of something big.

I know my future includes evangelism and reaching lost souls from abuse

and neglect. I am now an intern at the Freedom Home and take on the role

in evangelism on the streets, mentor at the Freedom Home, and ministering the gospel everywhere I go!

Just know: no matter what you have done or whatever you have been through, Ephesians 2:10 says that you are God’s masterpiece! You are unique and you are one of a kind!