BRIDGETT'S* STORY
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"IN JANUARY OF 2013, God planted a seed in me through Created! When I met them for the first time on the streets, I had no idea that these women would become my good friends. I was so in love with the street life, and was so far gone. Almost a year after first meeting them, while I was incarcerated, I got a visit from two ladies from Created and they asked if I remembered them. They stayed the whole visitation and prayed with me. A few months into my sentence, I was allowed to go to the Work Release Program. I had nothing and my clothes didn’t fit any longer. Created was there for me and brought me clothes and hygiene items, and also helped transport me to get the papers needed for job employment (i.e., ID, Social Security Card, etc.).
But soon after my release, I fell right back into the streets. I ended up back in jail. Once again there Created was, at the visitation monitor in the jail, saying, “Hey, we still love you and God does too!” The reason why these visits meant so much to me is I’ve been in and out of the jail system since I was 12 years old. My mom had given up and it was just a normal thing that I always went to jail. So for years, no one came to visit me in jail. I can’t say I planned in my mind that I was going to change. That was all the Lord! I just wanted a change! I had no idea I would be where I am today! I never knew I would fall head over heals in love with Jesus. God is an AWESOME GOD! I didn’t read my Bible or go to church in jail. I didn’t want to be labeled as a "jail house Christian" because everything I stood for in the streets was being real. So, if I worshipped the Lord, it had to be REAL! I came home a couple of months ago, and my mom picked me up from jail. That was unheard of, but God plants seeds in others to help you come to Him. So I truly believe that was all Him. I went to church that Sunday with one of the ladies from Created and to the movie “War Room.” After I came home that Sunday, I had such a peace, joy, and a hunger for more. I wanted to be involved in anything possible, as long as Jesus was the subject. The major thing that means so much to me is that the Lord has blessed me with His family. They surround me with love, accept me as I am, with all my past. The Lord has renewed my everything and I have such a passion for life now. God is so good. And above all else, He loves me just the way that I AM!!!" Vertical Divider
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"I've been in and out of the jail system since I was 12 years old." |
SHIRLEY'S STORY
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"Someone cared whether I lived or died. Someone cared enough to let me know that I mattered." |
"As I sit here and reflect back on my broken past, there is one moment in time that I remember that changed my life forever....
I was strung out on crack cocaine, I was homeless, a prostitute, 8 months pregnant and lying in a hospital bed after having been beaten into labor. That was the lowest point in my life. I wanted to die. I had burned all my bridges and my family had written me off. But worst of all I was alone! There was no one I could call on to help me. Then one day as I lay recovering in the hospital bed after the trauma of having my labor reversed, my nurse asked me if I would mind if a friend of hers from this organization called Created would come and pray with me. That is the day I will never forget, that is the day I met Created. I remember the look in their eyes. It wasn't judgement. It wasn't disgust. It wasn't blame. It was LOVE! And for the first time in a long time I knew at that moment that someone cared. Someone cared whether I lived or died. Someone cared enough to let me know that I mattered. That day has been over 6 months ago and Created is still a part of my life. I am currently in a rehabilitation program. I am due to graduate within a month. What amazes me most is that Created is still a part of my life. Not only have they been there for me spiritually, they have become my sisters. The women of Created helped give me back my self worth just because they loved me. Today as a result of their love, support, and spiritual guidance, I am clean and sober. I have a job and a 4 month old healthy beautiful little girl, and am transitioning into my very own apartment. If it wasn't for the women of Created, I wouldn't have had the self-esteem it took to finish this program. I am so thankful for Created walking into my life that day when I was in the hospital. Thank you for helping me change my life forever!!!" Vertical Divider
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KAY'S* STORY
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Kay lived many years working as an exotic dancer, addicted to drugs, and trying just to make it. Today, she is involved in Created Care and is passionately seeking God's grace and shining face, discovering a new life for herself, filled with love, compassion, and serving others!
Through Created's housing sponsorship, Kay and her 4 year old daughter are living in a transitional home for women, where she is surrounded by a supportive community. She also has the opportunity to attend support groups, get more involved with her church, and participate in the various aspects of Created Care to draw closer to the Lord and gain new skills and restorative care. "The Created ministry has given me the opportunity to renew my faith in humanity by providing a dedicated community of awesome women who love Christ as much as I do! I look forward to growing God's kingdom by ministering to women like me and help break the chains of addiction and abuse in their families." Vertical Divider
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"I look forward to growing God's kingdom by ministering to women like me and help break the chains of addiction and abuse in their families." |
*Names have been changed