Unmuted

I’m a “Preacher’s Kid.” The oldest of four girls. I haven’t had an easy life. I was physically and emotionally abused from as far back as I can remember, until I was 14 years old. I endured sexual abuse from age 4 to age 8. As a result of that, I started pulling my hair out at age 6. I was depressed shortly thereafter. I developed an eating disorder at age 12. I started drinking heavily at age 17. I started cutting myself at age 19. I tried killing myself four times the winter I was 20. I was in rehab for alcohol abuse by age 21.

I’m not telling you this to get your pity. I’m telling you this so you can see how AWESOME God is!

In March of 2003, when I was 23, I reached my breaking point. The end of my rope. I had no insurance, and knew I need some sort of treatment because I could fix myself on my own. I googled “free treatment centers” and scrolled down the page. I came across a link for Mercy Ministries of America. I had never heard of the program, but something compelled me to click the link, so I did. I was wary, as the website explained that they were a Christ-based program. I was not going to church at the time, and pretty much had turned my back on God. But I was desperate, and e-mailed Mercy for an application. I got the application and filled it out. By the end of March, I found out I had been accepted, and that I was on the waiting list.

In December of 2003, I got the call that my entry date was January 8, 2004. I was scared. But I knew this was something I had to do, or I was going to die. When I arrived in Louisiana, I didn’t make eye contact, and I didn’t talk above a whisper. A few days after my arrival, I told the staff that I had to go home because I didn’t belong at Mercy, and I was wasting a bed that someone else was more deserving of. I was told that it wasn’t an accident that I was at Mercy. I didn’t smile, and I remained quiet for weeks. I didn’t trust the staff, and I didn’t trust the girls, and I didn’t trust God.

By the end of June 2004, when I left the program, I was doing a lot better. I walked taller, I made eye contact, I was more confident, and I wasn’t struggling like I was when I had arrived 6 1/2 months earlier. My relationship with God was SO much better. I knew He loved me, and that I was special, and that nothing would even make Him feel differently about me.

God, and the amazing staff, saved my life…

I was looking on the Mercy Ministries website yesterday (http://www.mercyministries.org), and there’s an opportunity for people to sponsor a room in the new California home. Nancy Alcorn, founder and President of Mercy Ministries, is praying that the California home opens this year. That would mean 40 more girls could be taken off the waiting list. I contacted the woman in charge of the room sponsorships, and she said that sponsoring a bedroom costs $7,100 USD, and sponsoring a counseling room costs $10,000 USD. I prayed about this, and God laid it on my heart to raise money to sponsor a room in the California home. It would be from former “Mercy girls” and friends/family of “Mercy girls”; to leave an impact on the girls coming into the program.

If you feel lead to help with this, I have a paypal account set up SPECIFICALLY for this, and all money sent will go towards a room in the California home! The type of room we sponsor will depend on the money raised!

PAYPAL ADDRESS: sponsoramercycaliforniaroom@hotmail.com

PLEASE help out, if you can. Even if it’s $1.00! Every little bit helps!!! I can be reached at the e-mail address above (The same one as the paypal address).

GOD BLESS!
Ali xoxo

P.S. Please pass this on to people you think would like to help, on Facebook, MySpace, your blog and via e-mail!!