Nathan and Melissa's Story
My name is Melissa and Jesus is my Savior! Growing up and into early adulthood, I never used drugs or alcohol. I married, had 3 children, and then life took a turn for our family. My husband was struggling with his addiction and I was in and out of the hospital with health problems. While I tried to “help” my husband, my children were suffering. I chose to place them with a family member. In my sadness I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain. I was in and out of jail multiple times and my husband went to prison for 18 months. The last time I was in jail, I was in a treatment pod taking recovery classes and that’s when the Lord spoke to my heart. He said “Come Home, I Love You”. From that moment on I knew He was still there waiting for me and I knew I was done. After release, I went to the Women’s Gospel Mission and God used the Director there to help me release the guilt and shame I was carrying about losing custody of my children. I re-dedicated my life to God and began working on my relationship with Him. My husband is now on the same path too, walking in grace while he finishes his sentence. Here at the Freedom House, I am learning life skills such as cooking & budgeting. I do daily bible studies and I am employed. I want to be a better wife, partner and mother. I no longer feel broken and damaged. The Lord has blessed me and I am a brand new child in Christ!
On March 10th 2015, Melissa and her husband Nathan were arrested together on their 14 year wedding anniversary! Nathan was sentenced to 18 months in prison and Melissa went through our discipleship program at the Freedom House. We believed that God was preparing them for reunification.. They both worked on their recovery and walk with the Lord! Nathan and Melissa began sharing scriptures, praying together and committed to a bible study through skype while Nathan was incarcerated. During Melisa’s one year stay at the Freedom House she learned new life skills to prepare her to be a wife she took cooking classes and learned new cleaning skills. She got employment and was acknowledged as an outstanding employee and today is she is a manager, she got all her teeth fixed and now has a beautiful smile, and she got her license and a new car. Today Nathan and Melissa have their own apartment and they are serving Jesus and walking out their recovery and story of restoration! It doesn't get any better than this! Thank you God for this miracle of a life that was changed!
“My enemies did their best to kill me, but the LORD rescued me.” Psalm 118:13
-Melissa
On March 10th 2015, Melissa and her husband Nathan were arrested together on their 14 year wedding anniversary! Nathan was sentenced to 18 months in prison and Melissa went through our discipleship program at the Freedom House. We believed that God was preparing them for reunification.. They both worked on their recovery and walk with the Lord! Nathan and Melissa began sharing scriptures, praying together and committed to a bible study through skype while Nathan was incarcerated. During Melisa’s one year stay at the Freedom House she learned new life skills to prepare her to be a wife she took cooking classes and learned new cleaning skills. She got employment and was acknowledged as an outstanding employee and today is she is a manager, she got all her teeth fixed and now has a beautiful smile, and she got her license and a new car. Today Nathan and Melissa have their own apartment and they are serving Jesus and walking out their recovery and story of restoration! It doesn't get any better than this! Thank you God for this miracle of a life that was changed!
“My enemies did their best to kill me, but the LORD rescued me.” Psalm 118:13
-Melissa
