Patricia’s Christmas Gift

Christmas can be challenging due to cold weather, family expectations, and reminders of the past. Yet, here at Gospel Rescue Mission, we make it our mission to make every person staying here feel warm and safe in an environment that surrounds them with love and compassion. Consider Patricia’s story–before coming to GRM, her life was anything but safe.

Patricia fell into substance abuse at a young age and got married at 16, becoming introduced to the drug trade. Yet, the brutal realities of that lifestyle came crashing down when she was 28 and was sold into Mexico by someone she trusted, enduring captivity in a Breaking House. Realizing where she was, Patricia began to pray for help, pleading with God to save her. She had never been more frightened.

One day, a person left the gate open while unloading a truck. Patricia noticed and prayed this was her opportunity to escape. Pretending to be casual, she climbed into the truck, started it, and drove away. She made it all the way back to the U.S., believing God cleared the way for her.

Yet, her trauma was far from over. She lived in it for years before realizing that…

“…if I don’t work through the trauma, then I’m just going to fall back into where I was before. And I never want to be homeless again.”

Patricia had struggled with drug use for most of her life. When she first came to Gospel Rescue Mission, she had nothing but the clothes on her back, but she believed in God and believed He brought her to this place. The support she received from all the staff and volunteers, the clothing that was donated, and the sense of community that surrounded her–all of that love, along with the care she received from the Wellness Institute, all contributed to Patricia’s healing.

Now, Patricia has been celebrating her sobriety since October, and today, she is celebrating Christmas in a warm and safe place, surrounded by her new friends, reconnecting with her children and grandchildren for the first time in years.

Our prayer at Gospel Rescue Mission is that everyone feels God’s love and healing this Christmas.

To give the Gift of Transformation, make a donation today.