Martha's story
I ran from the law when I was on drugs,
but life changed when I ran toward a policeman for help!
My name is Martha. In my earlier years, life was good and fairly stable. I had a job and had taken out a loan to purchase a car. Then I made the worst mistake of my life, and got involved with crack cocaine, initially on a here-and-there basis. Soon it became a regular habit for me. I lost my job because I was unable to function at work and wouldn’t call in or show up. When I lost my job, I lost my car too, as I was unable to keep up with the payments. I became very depressed, and tried to deal with my pain by getting high all the time.
Crack took over my life:
For many years, crack was my life. I had 4 children and a loving mother, and lost contact with them all. My guilt and shame was so great that I didn’t approach them – instead, the drug just took over my life. I served some time in prison for possession of coke, and was basically just living my life on the streets.
I wore a size zero in clothing, and even those clothes were baggy on me, as I would get high and just wouldn’t eat. I prayed to God to help me, to give me some focus. Finally, one day I was desperate for help, feeling lost, and approached a policeman on the street, begging him to help me. He took me to a community agency, where the diagnosis of addiction was made. They referred me to Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.
A beautiful, positive spirit:
The moment I walked in the doors, I sensed a beautiful, positive spirit in the place. Soon I made the decision to join the Family Hope program, and this was one of the best decisions I ever made. In this program, I am learning about guilt and shame and how to heal from it. I’m learning self-worth, and that I AM somebody! I’m learning that we all fall short sometimes, and it’s okay; the important thing is that we get back up when we fall.
I’m working in the women’s shelter here at the Mission, and I love it! I deeply enjoy being able to give to the women and children, and help them in their struggles. My relationships with my family have improved, and they understand and support me in my desire to change my life. I thank each of you who give the Mission; you are part of helping me become a healthy person, emotionally, physically, mentally, and especially spiritually.
