The following is a real story from a real family who was ministered to by Midland Fair Havens.
Sarah: A Complete Turn Around
“I’ve never had anyone believe in me. You did and now look what I have been able to do! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!” These statements came from a young single mother of three precious daughters who had accomplished amazing things during and after her residency at Fair Havens.
Sarah* first came to Fair Havens when her parents were turning her out on the street. She had made choices in her teens that could have been fatal for her, but God had another plan. Following years of drug abuse and violent attacks by several boyfriends, Sarah was jolted into reality by the birth of her third daughter. She woke up one morning knowing that if she continued her current lifestyle, she and her babies would end up dead!
Her parents listened to her desperate cry when she called them from out of state but they had been called upon before to rescue this rebellious daughter only to be rejected and hurt time and time again. But for their
granddaughters’ sakes, they said she could return to their home with ‘conditions’. Seeing no options, Sarah gratefully agreed to do whatever they wanted her to do. When she moved in, she immediately had to begin attending church with them. Even though she felt guilty, undeserving and ashamed, in order to honor her agreement with her parents, Sarah began her walk of faith and obedience by doing as they asked.
As the months passed, she began to get more comfortable with her choice to return home. Through the caring of a church home, the healing process had begun and remarkably she was not tempted to return to the drugs or the men that had nearly destroyed her. However, her parent’s house became ‘crowded’ and the tensions grew. They all knew that Sarah had to take on the responsibilities of her own family by living independently but she lacked the skills.
When she first interviewed at Fair Havens, Sarah did not even have her high school diploma. Her goal in life was to find a kind Christian man who would “take care” of her and her daughters. However, to live at Fair Havens, Sarah had to formulate solid goals to reach a self-sufficient lifestyle. The program staff set out guidelines and connected her with resources so that she could attain her goals but she would have to provide the effort! Within a month, she had taken and passed her GED test and enrolled at Midland College for a nursing degree. With each completed assignment or passed test, her confidence grew and a ‘different’ lifestyle seemed possible. Her parents had never attended college but they helped with her babies so she could complete her studies. Gradually, her main goal changed as it became clear that she did not need a man to provide for her family. God was equipping her to do that for herself! He had replaced a insecure spirit with a confidence to achieve.
While at Fair Havens, the life skills training helped her learn how to budget her money, parent her growing daughters and establish healthy boundaries in her relationships with others even her parents. We all saw God’s mercy as we realized that her long time use of drugs had not harmed her daughters or compromised her ability to learn. As her knowledge grew, so did her self image. She was able to put her past behind her and live as a ‘new creation’. It wasn’t unusual to hear her sweet soprano voice singing praises to the Lord as she cleaned or cooked for her family. Other clients and the staff were encouraged by the dramatic changes that took place. After her two years, Sarah still needed a few months to complete her LVN so she moved to another supportive program for college students. By keeping in touch with the staff, we were able to share in her graduation as an LVN and encourage her in the pursuit of her RN degree.
Her life has continued on a positive path with a part time nursing job in a drug rehabilitation center while she continues her studies. She has also recently moved into her first house! God has completely turned around her life experience with drug use into a positive ministry so that she can help others with the same problem. Sarah is feeling that her life has real purpose. In keeping with her love for music, she even encouraged a group of her clients to utilize their musical talents to form a band. They recently wrote and dedicated a song to her to demonstrate how much she has meant to them. With the stability and faith of a healthy mother, her three precious daughters are living in a home where they know that ‘anything is possible’!
Sarah has been consistently grateful to Fair Havens for the support and encouragement she received while she lived with us. She credits us for believing in her and giving her the opportunity to turn her life around in an encouraging, supportive environment. But we really cannot take credit for her success. Yes, we believed that a mighty God could take a broken woman and transform her life into something honorable. However, we also know that each individual has the choice to accept His truth and the life that He offers. Once we deliver that message through the elements of the Fair Havens program, the results are beyond our power!
*Sarah is a fictitious name used to protect the confidentiality of the actual client described in this story.