Mary' s story from prison to praise!

Letter from Mary to Rachelle - September 4, 2025

Dear Rachelle, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the impact you’ve had on my life. When I was at one of my darkest points, God placed you in my path, and through your visits and your book “Beyond Hope”. I began to see that my story wasn’t over — that God truly had a plan for me.

I’ve put together my testimony in the attached packet, and I wanted to share it with you as a way of honoring the part you’ve played in my journey. As you’ll see, Jeremiah 29:11 — a verse that we both hold close — has become a cornerstone of my faith and a reminder that God’s plans are always good.

Thank you for allowing God to use your life as a vessel of hope. I am so grateful for you, and I pray that your story continues to reach many more people, just as it reached me. With love and gratitude, Mary, your sister in Christ
 
Mary’s Powerful Testimony
I want to share a little bit of my story with you. For a long time, I was trapped in
addiction. It led me to a very dark place — so dark that I ended up in county jail,
waiting to go to Federal prison. In that place of hopelessness, God sent someone into my life: Pastor, Rachelle Benthin.
 
She came to see me weekly at the jail, and through her I began to see that my life was not over. Rachelle shared her own story with me — how she had once been in the same situation, but she turned her life to God. Her words planted a seed in my heart that maybe, just maybe, God could do the same for me.
 
Later, when I read her book “Beyond Hope”, I realized how much of our journeys were alike. Though we came from different families, our addictions and our struggles felt so similar. Reading her story opened my eyes and made me feel like I truly knew her —not just the Rachelle who visited me in jail, but the woman whose life God had completely redeemed. In her story, I saw a reflection of what God was beginning to do in mine.
 
Yes, it was God Himself who saved me — but He used Rachelle as a vessel, placing her in my path at the exact moment I needed hope. Because of her, I realized that my life was not hopeless, and that the same God who rescued her wanted to rescue me too.
 
So, if you’re here today and feel like your story is over, I just want you to know — God can redeem your life too, just like He did mine. I’ll always be grateful that He put Rachelle and her book in my path, and even more grateful for the new life I have in Him.
 
One verse that Rachelle and I both hold close is Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the
plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” That verse has become a promise in my own life, just as it was in hers. To God be all the Glory.
 

 Mary's, Prayer Before Sharing her story - Giving God all Glory!! 
Lord, thank You for saving me and giving me a new life. I know this testimony is not about me, but about Your glory. Calm my heart, steady my voice, and let every word point to You. Thank You for using Rachelle and her book “Beyond Hope” to reach me when I felt hopeless. I pray that her story continues to go into many hands, so that others can feel the same hope and freedom I felt while reading it.
I also thank You for the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 — that You have plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.
That promise carried Rachelle, and it carries me now.
 Use my story today to bring light to someone who needs it. In Jesus’ name, Amen Mary 

Mary's Pocket Notes and takeaways
- Addiction brought me to a very dark place — ended up in county jail on my way to Federal prison.
- God sent Pastor Rachelle Benthin to me weekly in jail. She shared her story and
gave me hope.
- Reading her book *Beyond Hope* — realized our lives and addictions were so
similar.
- Through her, I saw how God can redeem any life.
- It was God who saved me, but He used Rachelle as a vessel.
- Verse we both live by: Jeremiah 29:11 — God’s plan to give me hope and a future.
- My story is proof: God can do the same for you.

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