Michelle

Before I came to Adult & Teen Challenge, I knew nothing about Christianity or God While I have been here in the program. I have realized what I have been searching for my whole life – God. He is the reason for my existence and purpose for being here on earth. I went to university, thinking that would give me purpose but once that was achieved, life felt pointless. I got married and didn’t feel so lost for a short time. I ended up getting divorced, thinking maybe that was now my answer. I ended up with a drug addiction, numbing that lost and useless feeling, putting my focus on getting that fix every day

I no longer feel lost. God has a purpose for me and it is bigger and better than I can ever imagine. A verse that stuck close to me is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

When I was introduced to crystal meth my life spiralled completely out of control and sadly this went on for years before I finally came to the end of myself and knew I needed help. I entered the Adult & Teen Challenge Manitoba Women’s Centre and everything changed. God met me there and showed me a new meaning and purpose for my life.

At age 13, I experimented with ecstasy, marijuana and alcohol. I felt worthless and hopeless and the next 17 years my drug use escalated into crack cocaine and fentanyl. I had been charged with many criminal offences and my lawyer told me about Adult & Teen Challenge. I was accepted to Thunder Bay men’s program and a month later I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and was baptised. I have learned how God loves me and has a plan for my life, discovering my true identity in Christ. He healed me, giving me joy, peace and purpose.

Before I entered the Adult & Teen Challenge program I used and sold drugs. I was a violent person and did things that landed me in jail. I believed I was coming to the end of myself with my only options being death by drugs, violence or spending the rest of my life in jail. But God had a different plan. During my last time in jail I committed the next year to ATC because of the love of my family and Robby Ahuja. Getting to know Jesus has changed my life. Slowly but surely he is growing inside me. I sing and I dance because He lives in my heart. Now I have love and forgiveness and am committed for life