From Deception to Freedom, Sarah’s Story
She was only a teen when her mother died and, in her pain, Sarah became angry with God. The day of her mother’s funeral was the first time she ever smoked marijuana. It would not be the last.
The next few years became a horrible downward spiral of addiction, abuse, drug dealing, and for a time, homosexuality. To support herself and her habit, Sarah sold every kind of drug she could find.
She was only a teen when her mother died and, in her pain, Sarah became angry with God. The day of her mother’s funeral was the first time she ever smoked marijuana. It would not be the last.
The next few years became a horrible downward spiral of addiction, abuse, drug dealing, and for a time, homosexuality. To support herself and her habit, Sarah sold every kind of drug she could find.
But nothing she tried could fill the void in Sarah’s life. When despair robbed her of all hope and she was unable to see a way out of the mess she was in, she became suicidal.
It was 2000, the first year of the new millennium, and people just like you had prepared a place where those like Sarah could turn their lives over to God and leave their addictions behind.
Sarah came to Teen Challenge in 2001, her life a wreck and all hope gone. But here she found new life. God met her, became real to her, and everything changed. She graduated from Teen Challenge of Southern California in 2002, then the Ministry Institute a year later.
Today, Sarah has been free from drugs and alcohol for nearly 19 years. She returns regularly to the women’s campus in Bakersfield to help other women overcome the battles she once faced. God’s grace on display in her life has a sobering impact in the lives of others.
The illusion that drugs and alcohol can bring relief and comfort is a lie—one that Sarah lived through. Now she understands the truth and wants to help reveal that truth to others.
The dangers of addiction are real. Will you please keep our students in your thoughts and prayers as they fight to overcome these lies of the enemy?
If you’ve already made or scheduled a donation this month, thank you! If not, would you please consider making a generous gift today to help support these men and women?