House of Grace
Over the past few years Monica* and her baby sister and Michelle* have been caught in an unstable environment, moving from house to house since their mother was unable to care for them.
Because of CityTeam Child sponsors like you these two young girls have been reunited with their mother and are flourishing in a safe environment, a home where they are given the consistent care and instruction they need.
Their mother Olivia* had spent most of childhood years crammed in a small motel room with her mother and 5 other siblings. At age 13 Olivia ran away from home to spare her mother the expense of raising her as the family was financially strapped.
Away from the support of her family Olivia spent time with friends and found herself trapped in an abusive relationship. By age 20 she hit rock bottom and filed for a divorce after sustaining major injuries at the hand of her husband.
In effort to erase the pain of her bleak situation she began to use drugs. She recalls, “No one ever told me to stay away from drugs, in fact, my mother introduced me to them.”
Another man came into her life and soon she was expecting a child. In the next few years Olivia had two daughters and was able to curb her drug use during pregnancy, but after the birth of each child she would fall back in her old ways, she was addicted.
Time began to blur as Olivia was so consumed by her habit that she was unable to care for her daughters and was arrested several times.
Unable to battle the addiction on her own strength, Olivia decided to seek help. She loved her children and wanted to provide for them but her addiction was crippling.
In her state of despair she came to CityTeam’s House of Grace with her two daughters. Here she found a safe haven and received the counseling she needed to get her life back together. This was the start of a whole new life for Monica and Michelle.
Olivia learned how to be a mother and more importantly how to express love. Thank you for caring for this hurting family and showing Monica and Michelle God’s love and compassion. |
