Transformed by Giving: One Supporter’s Story

Recently we received an email from a supporter that left us so amazed at how God works, that we just had to share it with you!

One of Nancy Alcorn’s favorite scriptures is “give and it will be given to you,” that is why Mercy Ministries is committed to giving 10% of every dollar raised to other ministries. Yet even we were surprised by the testimony from one of our Treasure Builders who’s transformation came, not from coming to Mercy Ministries but by giving! The Lord never ceases to amaze us.

“I am writing to share with you how my donation to help these MERCY girls has actually transformed MY life. When I started my $100 monthly donation I chose Mercy because I was struggling with an addiction to cocaine. I felt alone, hopeless, helpless and that God had left me. This went on for two years. I saw my life slipping away. I had even become friends with a good dealer and he would bring sandwich bags full, for free- almost daily.

But God never left me – He started taking people away from me so He could be near me. At one point, my dealer went on vacation and I had a hard time getting my hands on drugs. I started getting horrible withdrawals and felt like I was going to die. I thought the craving would never leave. When I was in withdrawal, I would take all kinds of prescription drugs (anxiety pills, sleeping pills…) I don’t know how I woke up, I tried so hard to take as much as possible so I wouldn’t wake up. My behaviour got very strange. I was very paranoid and my mom thought I was becoming mentally ill.

Reading Nancy Alcorn’s book gave Amery hope

After I started making my donations to Mercy Ministries, I went from not leaving my room, not eating, to being around people and my family, watching movies in a common area. I turned my $300-$500 a day habit to $180, down to $120 and now NOTHING. I read two of Nancy Alcorn’s books: “Mercy Moves Mountains” gave me hope that God can restore the worst of the worst. He never lets go no matter how far gone we are and we are meant to share our stories to give others hope. Reading “Echoes of Mercy” about how Nancy was saved and Mercy Ministries was started; her character and integrity became an example to me.

NOW, I have no craving or desire AT ALL for cocaine (THAT IS 100% GOD). I actually got violently ill the last time I drank and threw up when I smoked. God is a good God! I never thought I could escape any of these TEMPORARY highs. Now I wake up to a new career that I love. I know I get favour at work because I give. I was unemployed for 8 months but somehow always made my donation. Please tell these girls that I love them and I pray for them. They were strong for me when I couldn’t be; I am strong for them when they can’t fight anymore. Don’t ever think God is ignoring you; He is just getting people and things in place.

I want people to know they can come out of the pit bigger & better than before. If my past touches one life or brings change- I know God uses everything for good! My decisions nearly destroyed me but His grace is sufficient!

Love Always,

Amery”

“He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,  and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. (psalm 107: 14 – 16)”

Nancy Alcorn on “100 Huntley Street”

If you missed Nancy Alcorn on 100 Huntley Street last week (or want to watch it again), here you go:

If you would like to purchase Echoes of Mercy by Nancy Alcorn, which she mentioned in her interview, click here to visit our store.

A huge THANK YOU to 100 Huntley Street!

Dallas’ Story: “I am beautiful, blameless, and treasured!”

Graduation day at Mercy is always our favorite day! Last week, two beautiful young women, Sydney and Dallas,  graduated from our program.  Today, we are honoured to share a bit more from our horse-loving, graduate Dallas. Even before she began her emotional testimony, Dallas wanted to make one thing clear to the full room of friends, family, residents, staff, and supporters: “I have forgiven everyone from my past. I praise God that He is the greatest redeemer of all.” Amen.

The Years Before Transformation

Dallas grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with her parents and little brother. From the outside, her family appeared flawless, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Dallas and her brother endured emotional, mental, and physical abuse, in a home filled with fear and secrets. Dallas desperately wanted to feel loved and safe, but because of the neglect and abuse she endured behind closed doors, she began to believe that there was something wrong with her, that she was only getting what she deserved.

Throughout this time, her mother tried to teach her about God, but this only resulted in warped ideas. Dallas asked Jesus into her heart, out of fear of hell, but she thought that God was judgmental, and he would only love her if she was perfect. It was exhausting. Her mother became ill, and her parents eventually divorced. It was messy.

Then, at a very young age, she became sexually active. This encounter caused Dallas to feel guilt and shame, almost as if she was “used” or “dirty.” She became sexually active with men and women, allowing people to take advantage of her. She became skilled at secrets. She began to be controlled and tormented by fear, particularly through terrible nightmares. Dallas endured negative comments about her weight constantly, even at home, and she pretended not to care, even though it hurt horribly. When she lost weight after an unrelated surgery as a teen, the resulting attention and compliments only confirmed her fear that she was worthy if she was “thin and perfect.” She began cycles of binging and purging, restrictions and indulgences, that continued for years.

Dallas used drugs, sex, and alcohol to cope. She lived a double life, convincing everyone that she was fine, even while addicted. After three years, she half-hardheartedly sought treatment. She “worked the system” – allowing counsellors to believe she was sober, while she kept her destructive behaviors. She lost half of her body weight, due to her eating disorder and addictions.

“I was so sick of life that I honestly felt that, if this was all my life was going to be, I would rather be dead,” said Dallas. That was when her cousin, Jenna, told her to apply at Mercy. During the application process, Dallas’ eating disorder endangered her life. With the care of a Christian psychologist, a dietician’s counsel, the support of her boyfriend, and the fervent prayers of her mom, Dallas’s health miraculously stabilized. This drew her closer to God. For the first time, Dallas felt that God might have something more for her, and she wanted to know more.

Freedom

Supported by family Dallas was healthy enough to run 10k in May

Dallas arrived at Mercy desperate for healing and freedom. She was determined to graduate, to be perfect, so she completed her assignments, met her milestones, and, once again, worked to earned her self-worth. “I believed I was at Mercy to learn how to cope,” admitted Dallas. “But Mercy has not  helped me to “cope” – it’s been so much more than that! I have learned that I can overcome all of my issues, they no longer need to rule my life.”

“I  have honestly fallen head over heels in love with Jesus and I am experiencing an overwhelming relationship with my Heavenly Father,” shares Dallas. “I have nothing to fear. God has proven Himself to me, again and again, how faithful and good He is.”

Dallas has been set free from drug and alcohol addictions, sexual sin, and eating disorders. She is walking in freedom.

“I know that I have the choice – to choose life – and not only that, but I can enjoy it! Every day God wipes my slate clean, and I am ready to battle whatever comes my way. I choose to treasure the body that God has given me. I refuse to let guilt and fear overwhelm me when I eat. God has completely delivered me from my addiction to exercise, and now I am able to exercise for fun, not out of obligation. I was even successful at running the 10K Run for Mercy!”

“I am a child of God,” proclaimed Dallas boldly, “and I am beautiful, blameless, and treasured in the eyes of my Heavenly Father. I no longer live under guilt and shame from my past.”

Thank You

“To my family and friends, your support has gotten me through more than you know” said Dallas. “To the Mercy staff and all the wonderful, amazing people who have been supporting me, and praying for me, words cannot explain the impact you have made in my life. Thank you! And to Jesse, it is only by God’s power, and His grace, that He has enabled you to stand right by my side for the past 5 years, through a lot of turmoil and trouble. Through it all, you have refused give up on me. You are truly amazing.”

Dallas’ most tender words were reserved for her Rescuer though: “Most of all, thank you Jesus… your blood has made me clean, pure and completely brand new; I once was lost but now I am found.”

Dallas celebrates her freedom with Mercy Ministries’ Executive Director Nicola Bartel

Life After Mercy

Dallas went back home to Saskatoon this week, covered in prayer. Like all of our graduates, she will experience a supportive year of Transitional Care as she begins her new chapter. But no matter what she may face in the future, she will never have to do it alone again, from now on, she is walking through life with Jesus. “I have experienced just how important it is that I allow God to do His work, in His timing, and that He has a purpose for everything, both the good and the bad. And, by His grace, I am free!”

We are so proud of you, Dallas! You are so loved. We can’t wait to see what you do with your new freedom.

A Heart Secured: Sydney’s Story

Two more stories of transformation turned a page yesterday with the graduation of Sydney and Dallas from the Mercy Canada home. Their stories told to family friends and supporters were moving testimonies of the the power of God’s love.  Stay tuned for Dallas’ story later in the week; today we share excerpts of Sydney’s story of going from rejection and fear to security and faith

Sydney broke free from depression and anxiety

Sydney’s experiences with anxiety and depression began early. At school, she was bullied because of  her weight, and at home her teenage parents had split up early in her life – which she falsely blamed herself for. When her mom became ill,  Sydney took on the the role of helper as another way to escape from school, so by high school,  she was attending school only twice a week in a special classroom, by herself.

At 15,  she had surgery to remove her left ovary because of a tumour  A couple of months later, after a difficult recovery, a follow-up ultrasound showed another tumour on  her right ovary.

“I was devastated, kids were the one thing I wanted most in this world,” says Sydney.  When the surgery was scheduled, she was told that her right ovary could most likely be saved. “I was ecstatic!!!  but after the surgery, the doctor told me that the surgery had not gone as planned, the ovary was overtaken by the tumour, and it could not be saved. I was devastated, I had become barren, all the thoughts that ran through my mind were that a barren woman has no value, and what kind of man would ever want a woman who can’t do the one thing she was made to do?” The last straw came when Sydney was told that the tumours were cancerous; she decided to fully walk away from God.

“I went into new age spirituality, Ouija boards and messing around with satanic stuff like that. I felt hopeless, so I ate all the time; I was trying to find something to fill the empty void in my heart. Weight had always been an issue, but never this bad, I was eating enough for 3 to 4 people and I reached a maximum weight of 420 pounds.” Medical issues continued to dominate Sydney’s life and eventually,  she was put on a heavy dose of pain medication.

“A brand new door was opened. I found out that when I took pain meds, I felt great. I forgot about the pain in my body, and the pain of my past. With my mom having chronic kidney stones, she was also on the same medication. I decided that what was hers was mine. I was taking up to 20 pills in a 15 hour period. One night, I reached my lowest point – I took too many pills at once, and I was terrified that I would not wake up the next morning. For the first time in 5 years, I prayed. I prayed that God would let me see my family at least once more. I woke up the next morning, and never told anybody what happened. Two weeks later, I was accepted to Mercy.”

Sydney’s grandmother told her about Mercy Ministries

“When I came to Mercy I was terrified of people, I was convinced that no one could like me, because of my size and that they judged me before they got to know me. I refused to make eye contact with anyone, and I thought that I was a burden and annoying. I would look in the mirror everyday and hate what I saw. I was positive that no one could or would ever love me and that I had to earn love,” says Sydney.

“During my second month I was deciding on whether or not I should leave,  I was required to read The Best Decision You Will Ever Make by Joyce Meyer.  I realized what was missing from my life – Jesus. I met with a staff member and invited Jesus into my life. It didn’t start immediately, but I did notice a change. I didn’t feel alone all the time anymore. And my heart felt like it was being held in protective hands. For the first time in a long time, I felt peaceful and safe. I finally felt clean after many years of feeling dirty.

I have learned so many amazing things at Mercy; I’ve learned that people truly like me. I was convinced that people were as repulsed by my body as I was, and that they would never give me a chance but I’m learning that my worth does not depend on my body or my looks, once people get to know me they might like me and if they don’t, its okay because I like me, and I know that God likes me. One of the most important things I have learned is that I can not control other people’s thoughts or actions. I have to set up boundaries, and if they don’t like them, their feelings and actions are not my responsibility. I can only be responsible for myself.

A scripture that has gotten me through a lot of issues is 2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind.” It had been really helpful because I have lived in fear for so many years: fear of what people think of me, fear of being rejected, of never being loved, or never being given a chance, also the fear of my cancer coming back, I mean the list goes on and on.  But God has not given me a spirit of fear, and I don’t need to be insecure because I cast all my anxiety on Him because He cares for me.

I am a daughter of the most high God and Satan has no power over me, because GOD is my healer and my redeemer. I will trust Him with my life, for the rest of my life.”

Our Heroes Finish Strong

Do you wonder what it must be like to golf 100 holes in one day, running up and down a hilly course for 11 hours, swinging over 500 times with your clubs on your back? Do you ever wonder what it must feel like to have the opportunity to raise $200, 000 for a cause that is near and dear to your heart.

As they finish the last hole of golf, our heroes, Jodi Reimer and John Burns share what the experience of doing the  golf-a-thon was like for them this year. The passion and exhilaration in their faces is so moving as they explain what kept them going.

Current residents of the Mercy Ministries home,  Mercy Graduates and members of Relate Church , came out over the course of the day to cheer on Jodi and Pastor John

Jodi and John with residents, graduates and staff of Mercy Ministries

We would like to join pastor John and Jodi in thanking everyone who who contributed to helping them reach their $200,000 goal. Every dollar will go towards Mercy Ministries of Canada’s free residential program that gives hurting young women the opportunity to experience God’s unconditional love and life transforming power!

You Can Speak Mercy Too: New AdvocateTraining Coming Soon

If you are passionate about Mercy Ministries of Canada,  you’re probably already an advocate in some way.

So let’s make it official!

Over the years, our amazing national team of Mercy Ministries Advocates – Like our advocates on the move Lori , Jacki, Joanne and Laureen as well as many others – have been a HUGE part of the Mercy story. In fact, they’ve often been the difference maker.  Advocates seek out and give presentations to local churches, community groups and schools about our work. They speak out on behalf of the girls who need Mercy. They help at events. They work at conferences at our resource table. They write letters. They fundraise. They tell hurting women in their community about Mercy. They pray.  They get parents or ministry leaders that need support in touch with us. They brainstorm new ideas and then help make them into reality.

There isn’t much our passionate team of Advocates won’t do to support this ministry and the young women of Canada . They are committed to seeing lives transformed and hope restored in their own communities here in Canada.

If you would like to become an Advocate, here’s how:

1. Click here and scroll down to the Advocate section.
2. Download and fill out the Advocacy application form.
3. You’ll be contacted once we receive your completed form.
4. Participate in the training sessions. We have training scheduled for the evenings of Tuesday June 19th and 26th, from 6 – 9pm at the Mercy Ministries home in Surrey. We will be scheduling across the country as applications come in, so apply today.
5. Advocate for Mercy!

For more information, you can also email us at info@mercyministries.ca or call us at 604-535-1983.

“God uses our broken lives to bring healing, hope, and mercy to others.”

Our current advocate on the move works tirelessly to bring awareness to Mercy Ministries of Canada in her  community of Powell River. Despite being the only advocate in her area, she has been successful in raising funds and bringing others on board as monthly supporters of Mercy Ministries. Lori Brouwer, shares why she has such passion for Mercy Ministries.

Mercy Advocate Lori Brouwer

I first read an article in a Christian magazine about a girl with an eating disorder. She gave her testimony which included the healing she received through Mercy Ministries. I wish I could remember the name of the magazine but… there was also a web link to Mercy Ministries which I checked out. I was impressed with the ministry, its founder and its core issues. I was especially impressed with the fact that Mercy doesn’t ’sell out.’  In other words, it doesn’t take money from organizations that hinder them speaking of the name of Jesus.  

I did all my homework, checking out Mercy Ministries and was deeply moved by God. I just knew I wanted to be a part of this organization.

The Passion of Experience

I could relate to many of the struggles the young girls had because of my own background. I knew it was Jesus who had healed me. I know that God never wastes a hurt so long as you turn it over to Him and I knew that my life, my hurts could be used for His glory, to help someone else find healing, in Jesus name.

During the process of checking out Mercy, I discovered that they were trying to bring Mercy to Canada. I was excited about that as I love getting in on projects on a foundation level.

The Joy of Advocacy

I enjoy everything about being an advocate! I loved following the progress of the building of the home, love reading the testimonies of the girls and love to tell others about what God is doing through Mercy Ministries.

Lori lives in Powell River with her husband Stu

I would like people to know that God uses broken people all the time to get His message out! God loves, He heals, He restores and redeems lives, to be a part of that is absolutely amazing! I am always so amazed and stand in awe of our Lord who chooses to use us, and our broken lives to bring healing, hope and mercy to others. One person can make a difference! One dollar can make a difference. Listen to God, obey His promptings, receive His Blessings, watch Him change lives!

Thank you so much for your faithfulness to the call, Lori. We love you and we appreciate you!

How – and Why – I Raised $5,000 for Mercy

Our top fundraiser for the Run for Mercy 2012 was one of our own former residents, Patricia! We were so impressed by her efforts that we invited her here to share from her heart about how – and most importantly, why – she raised more than $5,000 for the freedom of other young women and won  a brand new Kobo Vox e-reader at the Run for Mercy.

Wow, the Run for Mercy was so amazing. I have wanted to go to one for a few years now but I always seem to miss it. This one meant so much more to me as I had actually been to the program and realized what a difference it really made.

This was my first time in my life fundraising.  I never expected to to achieve that much money.  I started off with a goal of $1,000 and thought I could attain this one.  After one month I did, then a week later I made it to my next goal of $1,500, and then a few days later I was up to $2,000.  Then I thought, “why not try $3,000?” and got that in a week.  I thought, “why not do the impossible and make a goal of $5,000 in the next 8 days?”  It happened literally at the last minute.

I told people how after I got home I realized how much the Mercy staff really loved on me, and that helped me see and accept God.  Mercy really helped a lot, and with them and God, I have transformed into a new person that everyone in my life has never seen before.   I am actually able to be happy, and I want to live life. I know I have God, and Mercy, to thank for that.

With my passion for Mercy, I really wanted to give back.  I asked people in my life to give what was on their hearts from God to give and, well, they gave big.  My family and friends were really into it, too, which helped with getting me donations.  I have to say when I prayed to God, I asked him to do a miracle and do the impossible and help me raise $4,500 and I could contribute the rest.  Praise God because when you believe in Him, He comes through in a huge way.

Transformation: A Mother’s Story

by Dara Lee Orpin

At Mercy Graduation on May 8th

May 8th, 2012 is a day that we will always remember. This is the day that our precious daughter graduated from Mercy Ministries.

Our journey, living with a daughter with an eating disorder, anxiety, self harm and depression started about 9 years ago. That’s when the biggest fight of our lives began; the fight to keep our daughter alive.

There is nothing worse in this world than watching your daughter die a little more every day. There is nothing worse than sitting back and watching your daughter slip away from you,  knowing there is nothing that you can do to prevent it — although believe me, we never stopped trying. There is nothing worse than seeing such torture in your daughter’s eyes and knowing that your love isn’t enough to make her want to fight to live.

Our daughter finally did go into a recovery center in our province but it was not her time to heal because she was not really wanting to get well. We knew what was missing in her recovery, and that was God. We always believed that He was the answer because in our hearts we believed it was a spiritual battle.

When Kennee made the decision to come to Mercy we knew that this was the answer to all of our prayers. We knew that once she gave up control to God there would be no turning back and that she would be completely victorious over the demons that had plagued her for so many years. We also realized that we had to give our beautiful daughter up to God. We truly believed that God had a plan for her, but it was hard to let go and let God. Once we all let God take the wheel, that is when the miracles came pouring down on Kennee. She started moving ahead in leaps and bounds.

Kennee is now working towards complete healing, happiness and a desire to live the life that God had planned for her. We were finally getting our daughter back!

When we came to Kennee’s graduation from Mercy Ministries, we hadn’t seen Kennee for four months and we saw life in her eyes for the first time in many many years. We had not seen Kennee in short sleeves for 5 years, because of self harm. At the graduation, she was wearing short sleeves. I saw victory scars and to me they were beautiful because she had conquered her demons. She was God’s child and proud of it.

Dara Lee holds her daughter’s scarred hands at graduation

To sit there and watch her share her testimony was so emotional and yet healing at the same time. There are no more secrets between us. We can start fresh. My heart is so full of love and gratitude to our beautiful God. He has a plan for her that is far more spectacular then anything that we could have planned.

Mercy Ministries, thank you ,thank you, thank you. We are so proud of the beautiful young woman that she is becoming and Kennee is one of the most courageous young woman that I have ever known.

Never give up on your child because I promise you, God has a plan for them that will blow you away!!

A Letter to a Perfectionist

Graduation day at Mercy is always a sacred time. There is a tangible presence of God in the room, and we all feel like we’re witnesses to miracles. This past week, two of our residents graduated and, as always, there were so many moments that stand out in our mind as we look back at the experience. We’ll likely share a few of those powerful moments over the next few weeks here at our blog, so make sure you subscribe!

Katy, our amazing counselor, wrote a letter to one of our graduates and then read it aloud to her at the ceremony. This precious young woman had waged a life-long battle with perfectionism, a battle that she often lost as she daily cut her own flesh, and starved herself as punishment, even as relief from her emotional pain.

Today, her life has been transformed, she is walking in freedom and wholeness.  

Dear K:

Until now, I see the dance of your life with God as a classical ballet.  Drill, form, perfection.  Learning steps prescribed from hundreds of years ago.  Stretching, training, denying your body, dancing till you bleed; never excellent enough, always worried about keeping in time with those around you.  A half beat late or an artistic flick of the wrist is severely reprimanded by the director.  Dancing Swan Lake where one error means bringing down the entire production.

As an audience member, I come away from a ballet with visions of fairies dancing on a pedestal of perfection and epic soundtrack music, and the keen understanding that I am inadequate.  I’ll never be able to move like that.  Don’t get me wrong, I love ballet – but it is no way to live your life.  Hiding, fear, restriction, perfection.  You lived your life dancing for a “god” who was waiting for any chance to pounce on your inadequacies, even after a good performance, to demand you work harder and harder, never satisfied.

But now… a new dance has emerged – the tango.  You threw away a pair of slippers and wandered down the street until the strong beat from a studio drew you in, hanging out in the background you thought you could watch till you felt confident you’d mastered each step.

But God took your hand and drew you out from that wall – he is a partner that already knows you intimately, able to predict your half-beat behindness and adjusting to your wrist flick so that it deepens the beauty of the dance.

This dance is SO different.  Steps are present to be sure – but the best performances, the most engaging moments, are when technique is thrown to the curb and passion rises.  Daughter, there is a fire that burns inside of you, and in that, there is freedom!  The God you know now is to be enjoyed, trusted because he is dancing for joy over you in the heavens.

After watching a tango, I sneak into my room and turn on the soundtrack from Havana Nights and twist and turn till my abs hurt!  I don’t know the steps the professionals do – but they’ve allowed me to feel human emotion and that is something I can connect with and it inspires me.  This season, honey, is not for striving.  It is not for slicked hair or tutus that stand at ridged attention – it is for connecting to the heart of those who watch you, so in that process you might find deeper the heart God has placed inside of you, and for big flowers in your hair!

It was our God who made the transformation in you – and it is for that reason alone that I have full confidence that He will finish the good work he has started. 

Not because you know the steps so well, but because He is a generous partner.

Love Katy

We are so proud of you, K! You are loved.

P.S. Today is the last day to register online for the Run for Mercy on Saturday 12 May! (But don’t panic. You can still register on-site if you miss the deadline.)

Ballet image source.  Woman dancing image source.