I’m one of those people where if I’m going to commit to something, I’ll commit.
To communicate to clients that I have literally been where they are, sat where they are sitting, gives me a common ground to work from so I can better support them…
It’s not about me. It’s not my story. It’s about the One who shines through me. May God shine through me every day.
I ended up at Simonka because I had no other place to go. It changed my life, it was such an awesome experience.
There’s nothing too big or too small that Christ can’t do. If you haven’t put your faith in Jesus Christ, today is the day.
God has given me a passion for [volunteering at UGM]…I have a love for [the women]. I feel compassion for where they are.
To see life so transformed on the other end of tremendous suffering, from bad choices or not…it’s encouraging.
From where I began [at UGM], I’ve come almost full circle because I’m mentoring a guy down there right now.
God [is] filling up those areas that I had emptiness in. When I leave [Simonka Place], I want to be the very best clean and sober grandma, mom, and sister ever.
[God would] tell me He had not gone away, He was still there, and no matter how far I ran, I couldn’t get away.
If you had asked me when I was 15 or 16, I would’ve seen myself as having a wife, a kid, a dog, you know…
I used to think I was stuck, but the Mission gave me the spark of hope I needed to change my life.
After about four years it got to the point where I had to make a choice; I was either going to be homeless and live on the streets or continue living with him.
“I didn’t see it at the time, but now I see His hand through all of it,” says Merci. “He gives us a new beginning.”
You see the people lined up outside the Mission, and you think “That would never happen to me. I’ve got a job, apartment…”
