Amanda's Testimony
Hi. I’m Amanda and I am here to share my testimony.
I grew up with drugs and alcohol all around me, even in my home. For as long as I can remember, drugs had been a part of my life. It was a way of living. And I became addicted not only to drugs and alcohol, but also the lifestyle.
At the age of 21 I had my first child, a beautiful daughter. And sad to say, I lost custody of her when she was 2.
Still, I could not break the addiction, even though it cost me everything.
At the age of 26, I was with another child. I was on Sub Oxone and shooting pills 9 months of my pregnancy.
BUT GET THIS… My daughter was born perfectly healthy, and no detox! TELL ME THAT WASN’T GOD!!!
I brought my little girl home from the hospital, but my addiction just got worse and soon I was on the methadone clinic and doing Meth. At some point, I was taking my little girl from dope house to dope house, trading off everything I owned for dope. I was living in a house with no power, water or food. I went from one Walmart to another, stealing things and then returning them for gas money to get to the methadone clinic or to get more dope. I was shooting as much dope or methadone as I could, knowing I could die.
Then, my baby girl was also taken from me. She was put into temporary custody with my brother.
I still couldn’t lay the drugs down. Eventually, I ended up in jail. (Little did I know that was a blessing.) While I was in jail, I got sober!
When I got out and returned home, everything hit me. I realized then just how bad things had gotten. And I started using again but even worse than ever before!
I had lost my daughter. I had a house with no power, water or food, or even a family. Where there once was a family, lots of toys and some laughter, there now was misery, needles and a bunch of pitiful people that came around only for a place to get high or lay their heads down.
I hated myself and what I had become.
But one day, my cousin came to a “DOPE HOUSE” and got me. She told me of a place she thought might could help me. And a longtime family friend was a director there. I agreed to go check it out, just to satisfy her, not really thinking I would commit to anything.
BUT GOD!
That’s when I met who is now my pastor and the directors of Mercy Home for the first time. Thank you Jesus! After interviewing me, they accepted me saying I could come that day.
But I was scared and said, “No, I’ll come back tomorrow. Give me until 4 tomorrow."
They agreed, but wondered if I would actually come back. And truthfully, I fought it! I wasn’t so sure that I wanted to do this. IT'S A YEAR LONG PROGRAM!!! The devil tried everything he could to get me to not show up the next day. But God!
God had a plan!
Jeremiah 29:11 says "’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’"
Coming to Mercy Home Ministries was the best thing I have ever done.
Was it easy? I would be lying if I said "yes."
Many times I was tempted. There were times things happened that triggered me and other times I just would think too much and would want to leave or give up. For example, there were times my husband and others would come to church to see me and I would watch them leave, tempted and wanting to go with them. There was even a time that Michelle and I found some drugs!!! But the hardest time was going to court and DHR placing my daughter Bodi into foster care, into a home with complete strangers! And I had to just watch her go.
I can look back now and see that God was even in that! My daughter was placed in a Christian home with an amazing couple that I will forever be grateful for! And I praise God for it!
But as I said, Satan tried over and over many times to discourage me and try to get me to run. And many times I considered running.
But I DIDN’T!! I chose to stay!!! And I have found out that God honors commitments!!!
I have learned that if you just keep doing the next right thing, good WILL come.
No matter where you are, if you’re in a program or out in the world, we all have choices, and our choices that we make decides our future.
I am so thankful that I made the right choice by coming into Mercy Home Ministries!!
I have been to five different programs in my lifetime. (5 is the number for GRACE.). But the difference in Mercy Home Ministries is IT’S A HOME!!! And in this home, is HOME!!! A family of LOVE, SUPPORT and CONCERN! And when you come in, immediately, you become part of this Family.
But best of all, MHM’s points you and leads you to CHRIST!!! I am happy to say that I NOW HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!!! Before coming into MHM, I didn’t have one. The only time I would pray was when I was in jail or I was sick from the drugs and I would pray for God to take it away or let me die.
Through lots of Bible studies, Church Services, Reading the Word, Praying and Memorizing Scriptures, MHM has helped me to Grow in the Lord.
Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”
MHM has helped me to Trust in Jesus!
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to your on understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
And MHM has Lead me to Christ!
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I am forgiven! And Jesus Christ is now my Lord and Savior!
I truly feel that because of me sticking with my commitments and making better choices, God has performed miracles for me!!!
Before, I could not go without drugs. But I am now ONE YEAR CLEAN!!!
During my time in MH, I have graduated CWJC and received a scholarship! I now have a CAR and a JOB, along with an APARTMENT awaiting.
But that’s not all. I am also rebuilding a relationship with my oldest daughter!!! THANK YOU JESUS!
And IN LESS THAN 10 MONTHS, I RECEIVED CUSTODY BACK OF MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER! I KNOW that was a MIRACLE!!! I have never heard of anyone getting custody back, in such a short time, after the child has already been placed in foster care!
But it’s even BIGGER than that! GET THIS…
I was still living at MERCY HOME when DHR and the Court System placed my 4 year old child back into my care!!! Placing her with me… At Mercy Home!!! THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN! And I give GOD all the GLORY!
I thank everyone who has had a part of my life this past year! It's been a great journey!
“And I am completely convinced that God, who began this good work in me, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Now, as I stand here in front of you all, I want to encourage you, no matter where you are in your life, or what may come,
NEVER GIVE UP!!! GOD IS WITH YOU and HE IS FOR YOU!
MAKE RIGHT CHOICES and STICK WITH YOUR COMMITMENTS!
BUILD A RELATIONSHIP AND GET TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST! For HE is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE!
And KNOW that WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
PSALMS 40:1-2 says
“I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.”