Women’s Testimonies

Cheryl

I am standing up here today a new creature in Christ, an example that God is an awesome God and He does save.  I am a witness to that.  God does keep His promises. I want to glorify God by giving Him the credit.  I grew up in a home that was dysfunctional, as many are, and I never knew God either.  As I grew up I began slowly killing myself every day and I wasn’t just hurting myself but everyone around me.  My wrong choices caused so much harm and hurt to my children, my family and everyone I had contact with. It’s just like a ripple effect.  One lie led to another and one bad choice led to an even worse choice.  I lied, stole, manipulated, cheated, and uprooted my children from their  home at least 6 times in one year.  I had done so many things that I could no longer look at myself in the mirror or look upon the faces of my children because of guilt and shame.  I was not proud of myself. I was doing all these things knowing on the inside they were wrong but I no longer cared about the consequences or what I was doing to my family.  Because I did not know God, I didn’t know I was hurting Him.  I lost my home, job, and my children.  I found myself broken and hungry for change.  I desperately wanted the hole in my heart and my spirit to be filled.  I ended up exactly where God wanted me to be, Bethel Village.  At first, there were so many times I thought about running as I had done so many times before in my life, but something was keeping me here and I am so grateful.  In October I gave my life and will over to God and was baptized.  I have now become a new creature in Christ.  He has shown me so many things about myself, things I needed to change, and because of my daily walk with Him I am doing just that, changing and growing.  I have an amazing close relationship with Him now and because of His grace, love, and mercy, my family relationships have been restored.  We are closer than ever and my mom is proud to tell everyone that I am her daughter again.  I get to see my children every weekend and despite everything I have put them through, they still love me and I am becoming the mother they deserve. I plan to intern and I want to go back to college and finish getting my degree in Business.  Once I get my own place again with my own money, and get a job and stand on my own two feet again through Jesus Christ, I will have my children back again full time.  Christ has shown me that I do have a purpose in life and that He has a plan for me.  I am just so grateful to God and Bethel Village.  I have my self-esteem and self-respect back.  I have a joy and peace in my heart that I have never felt before.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13

For I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare, not for disaster, plans to give you a future and hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow worries about itself. Each day has a problem of its own.  Matthew 6:34

Greater is He that is in me the he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4

I want to thank the staff at Bethel Village for showing me grace, mercy and love and for being tough when I needed it.  Thanks also to all my instructors for teaching me and providing me with the knowledge of Christ and tools of life.  Thank you to my volunteer mentor for always being there when I needed to talk.  God is good and He does save.  I am a prime example of that.  If I can do it, anyone can do it.

Cheryl Testimony-January 2013

Mary

One of our graduates from Bethel Village, Mary Allen Trench, has reached a milestone this week in her life recovery goals – the return to her custody of her two children, Megan and Justine. Congratulations to Mary on a significant accomplishment in meeting her goals! And thank you to the wonderful family who cared for them while Mary worked on life recovery. Mary has begun classes at Gulf Coast State College and is working part time in a food service business and is also doing some 12-step case management with new evaluation students at Bethel Village.

Jennifer

 I am Jennifer Campbell. I was living a hell life because of my anger and selfishness. I had been addicted to drugs since I was 13 and was so stubborn and addicted that I started manufacturing meth just to get high.

I was facing 9 years in prison and losing my kids, so I turned to Bethel Village for help. Once I got in the program, God showed me I needed to surrender my life to Him and he picked me up and set me on the right path. He took me out of the mess I had created and put me in a place of love and peace and mercy.

The love and support of the Panama City Rescue Mission and Bethel Village has overflowed into my life and now I have love and joy and peace. I am capable of loving others now. I am looking forward to an honest blessed life with my children. I now have the knowledge and tools to do that!

Diane

Giving all the praise and glory to God the head of our lives she felt very blessed. When Diane came to Bethel she was very lost and now she has found her way back to Christ.  She quoted a favorite scripture of hers from the book of Ecclesiastes “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” Eccl 9:10.  Diane did very well while she was here. She was praised for her leadership abilities, steadfastness of spirit, and tireless work ethic. She was a blessing to have around and we wish her the best!  Diane will soon be married!

Shaunda

Shaunda, current student at Bethel Village, was blessed with a a healthy baby boy, born Oct 27 at 1 pm!  Theresa, another student at Bethel Village, was secretly painting and decorating the small room that would become home to newborn Ayden Hunter and proud mama.  ”Don’t let her in, she’s so nosey!” Theresa said. Just that week, members of the Proverbs 31 Guild had thrown Shaunda a wonderful baby shower, and it was a SHOWER of gifts for the pair!  Shaunda gave her testimony, stating that she grew up knowing Christ and the right way to live, but rebellion led her to a life of drugs and eventually being incarcerated.  Shaunda is newly married and she added that she is grateful for the opportunity to learn how to be the wife and mother she needs to be.  ”I can’t thank the people here at the Rescue Mission enough for the love they have shown me, it’s awesome!”

Shronda’s Success

Shronda Myers had a pretty normal childhood… until the divorce of her parents. With her father not around, Shronda began to seek satisfaction in drugs, alcohol, and promiscuous relationships with men. After depression brought on from divorce and pain, and from age 25-37 Shrona had no desire to live. It was then, arrested and at her lowest, that she picked up a Bible. Through His word Shronda’s life was changed, and she found herself at Bethel. She is now living a new life for Christ, and reflecting His love to her daughters.

“God has restored my relationship with my family & they have begun to go to church again because of the difference they’ve seen in me because of God. God has opened many doors & His love sustains me. I’m excited now about my future & the plans God has for my life. I’m not only learning God’s Word, but have a real relationship with Him… And it is amazing!”