Jenifer 
Graduated December 2005
Last update - April 2010

Growing up, I was well taken care of and had lots of things that other children didn't have, but I also encountered a lot of rejection and felt ashamed of who I was.  I was embarrassed because of my weight, I always felt like the "fat one."  When I was 15 years old, I was introduced to methamphetamines.  I was an overweight teenager and meth gave me manufactured energy and suppressed my appetite, so it seemed to be the perfect cure for all my problems.  My drug use escalated into a daily habit to the pooint where I was doing, selling, and living it.  Somehow, I managed to make it through high school, and shortly thereafter I moved in with, and eventually married, a man who lived the same lifestyle that I did.  We encouraged each other's destruction.  Out of this marriage, I was blessed with two beautiful children, but the marriage disintegrated quickly.  I was a single mom and used that as an excuse for selling drugs.  I told myself that I had to support my children, pay my mortgage, credit card bills, etc. and selling drugs was my ticket to success.  Instead, I felt no hope to do anything else in my life, but God had a plan.

In May 2004, I was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.  Six months later, I was placed on probation under a Christian probation officer.  He knew that I had a drug problem, but he didn't give up on me.  I was given a choice, I could throw my life away and go to prison, or I could go to a faith-based program (Mission Messiah).  That decision was not hard for me; I did not want to lose my children. 

Three weeks later, I arrived at Mission Messiah. My expectation in coming to the Mission was to get off drugs and be clean, and I thought that would be a miracle in itself.  But He did so much more!  Jesus Christ has redeemed me; I am no longer in bondage to those things which held me captive for the last 10 years of my life. He has broken the chains! Today, I am capable of being the mother that God wants me to be.

Through all of the teaching tools that I was supplied with during my 12 months of study, I believe I am full equipped for battle, and the enemy of my soul will not conquer me again, through Jesus Christ!  Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord!  I have a calling on my life to expand the kingdom; Jesus Christ is counting on me and I on Him.