"Teen Challenge is a place of refuge for me. My first experience with Teen Challenge was a little over 7 years ago when I was 'broke, busted, and couldn’t be trusted' as my husband would say. I was a broken individual that hit rock bottom, but little did I know when I hit the Rock at the bottom, “My ship had sailed in”, as Pastor Jeff Bonzelaar would say. Through a series of events, my family got in contact with Pastor Bob Carey the Executive Director of DATC. Life Challenge Bible Institute of South Eastern Michigan was for me considering there wasn’t a women’s center in Delaware but honestly, God knows what you need because I probably wouldn’t have lasted being that close to home. Long story short, Jesus Christ showed up and wrecked my heart, only to save and deliver me from a life of sin rooted in drugs and the lifestyle that comes with it. Without the distractions of life, I was able to sit at the feet of Jesus and allow Him to become my new foundation. Hallelujah! My time at teen challenge was one of the most difficult yet rewarding experiences of my life. I had to trust and lean on the Lord, and not my own understanding (Proverbs 3: 5,6) a lot, not only for myself but also for my family, my children, and my father who passed away shortly after graduation. Teen challenge gave me the tools I needed to deal with that loss and the troubles this life can bring (John 16:33). Since teen challenge I have been blessed to join a home church (Bethel Tabernacle Church), obtain two degrees, become the wife of a handsome spirit-filled teen challenge graduate, also from Life Challenge of South Eastern Michigan, who I have had another beautiful daughter with. Since marriage and graduation, I have also joined our local fire department (Frankford Volunteer FD) all of this while learning and growing in the new community God has blessed me with. It’s all because of Jesus and all to Him I owe! I am also currently enrolled in an Emergency Medical Technician class through the Delaware State Fire School. Teen challenge taught me the importance of community, how to trust God, and serve others because let’s face it we are all in this together. This ministry was the avenue that God used to change the course of my life. The Lord has now enabled me to work with and give back to women and children coming from similar circumstances, which has left me in awe of his goodness. To God be the Glory! May his face shine upon you and may he be gracious to all who support such a ministry. God Bless, Marie Hudson Child Care Supervisor of DATC Home of Hope."
Thanks for all you do, Marie!
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