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Stories of Transformation

Emily’s Story

“I Was on the Brink of Death”

It wasn’t all that long ago that I didn’t care if I lived or died.

I grew up in a difficult home, and I turned to alcohol and cocaine to cope with the pain…and I remained addicted for decades. When I started doing crack in 2004, things really spiraled downhill.

I ended up homeless, living under a bridge. I never felt safe. It’s dangerous for a single woman on the streets. I went days without eating or drinking. I was often dehydrated, and sometimes had hallucinations. In winter, I feared I’d freeze to death. And I ruined relationships with my family, including my two kids.

Things went from bad to worse. I’d rather not get into the details, but just suffice it to say that I got arrested, and my mug shot shows how awful things were. I was down to 90 pounds, and I looked like I was on the brink of death.

Because I was.

When you hit rock bottom like that, you tend to take stock of your life. I decided to get help. And I knew exactly where to go.

Finding Home

I had heard good things about My Sister’s House at Atlanta Mission, which helps women and children get back on their feet.

I got here in January 2015. When the counselor said they had a bed for me, I broke down in tears. Because I knew I’d found my way home.

I went to church as a child but had ignored God for a long time. Atlanta Mission helped me reconnect with my faith. Now I read my Bible and pray all the time.

I’m not ashamed of myself anymore, because I’m not the same person I was before. I’m a completely different human being now. I am literally a new creation in Christ. I even got my smile back, as Atlanta Mission helped me get the dental work I needed.

Now I’m working two jobs, and I’m saving money to move into a place of my own. And God is restoring relationships with my family. I couldn’t be happier.

Stories like this are a direct result of your kindness. The lives of men, women, and children are being transformed every day at Atlanta Mission. Thank you for your continued support!