Donna Joyfully Celebrates Mother's Day!
Donna represents exactly what
the Caring People is all about … seeing Single Moms’ lives and families transformed … and helping them fall in love with Jesus!
On Christmas Eve of 2005, Donna was at home with her two kids … drinking. She started getting noisy, so her ten-year old daughter, Ashley, called the neighbors. The neighbors called the police. Ashley’s father took her for the holiday and then told Donna he would not bring her back because of her drinking problem. Donna was devastated. Ashley was her reason for living.
On January 6, 2006, Donna enrolled herself into White River Counseling, an addiction recovery program. There, the program encouraged the participants to seek a higher power. She remembered her daughter had been involved in an after-school program at a local church, so the next Sunday, Donna went to East Grand Church. The Caring People was holding its first meeting at East Grand Church that Wednesday, and Donna was invited to go.
Donna started attending the Caring People group and she says “It is the most supportive group I’ve ever been to. They are moms just like me … struggling to make it on their own. My Care Group leader gives us scripture verses each week, and I read one everyday. Right now I’m learning about the attributes of God … that He is my Provider, my Healer, my Peace. My leader, Carol, is so easy to talk to and so supportive. I can call her in weak moments and she’s always there. I NEED this group.”
On March 19, Donna gave her life to Jesus and was baptized at her new church home. She said, “The minute I came out of the water, I knew the old Donna was gone. I had a new start. I finally felt clean for the first time in my life!”
When we talked to Donna, she was on her 102nd day of being sober. She says, “The Caring People and the church give me support. They make me stronger. This is a permanent change.”
When asked how Donna has seen herself change since attending Care Group, she says “My ex-husband doesn’t even push my buttons anymore. The anger and hate are gone … I’ve forgiven him. I even asked him for forgiveness for anything I’d ever done to him.”
Ashley, Donna’s daughter, saw the change in her mom’s life and went back home to live with her. Donna says, “I want people to know you can hit rock bottom, and then find Love. I have so many friends at my church now. It’s like the family I don’t have. I can smile. I’m happy. I’m proud of my life now. I wasn’t before … but now I am.”
This year, Donna's Mother's Day was completely different from her Christmas Eve. Not only did she celebrate the return of Ashley, but that she is a daughter of God!
Jesus called us to Donna … and now she knows His love and His power personally. And there are thousands more “Donna’s” out there … Single Moms who want stable friendships, encouragement, and acceptance.
Your support helps us reach the “Donna’s” with Jesus’ love and fulfill the calling of the body of Christ, “to look after widows and orphans in their distress.” James 1:27b
Posted 05.05.06
Edited 05.23.06