I came to ICM from prison. I wasn’t a prostitute. I didn’t have issues with crack or any other drug. In fact, from the outside I appeared to be living the good life. I had graduated from school and was working as a nurse. Nope, I ended up in prison because of my inability to have healthy relationships. I was with a man who beat me and my son. And eventually he killed my son. I was found to be at fault because of my failure to protect my son, and they were right. I went to prison and spent 8 ½ years locked up.

This man actually is the very reason I am so serious about my walk as a Christian today. The man seemed like a Godly man and he appeared to know all about the bible. Of course, this was coming from someone who thought there was a book called Joseph in the Word. He had control of my life and my mind. By using the bible, he would convince me how awful we were and how we needed purging of all our evilness. His beatings eventually took the life of my son.

I used to read bible stories to my boy and by the way, bible stories were the only God I knew. His favorite was about Joseph and his coat of many colors. My son felt the love God had for Joseph in the story, personally. I cried out when first in jail because I needed to be assured my son was in heaven. I didn’t realize I was praying. I wanted to be close to my son. So I wanted to read the story of Joseph. Couldn’t find it and no one that I came in touch with knew much about the bible. Then God sent these little Christian ladies into the jail. Funny thing, the lady said she was reluctant cuz she had another bible study in mind but God laid it on her heart so heavily that she changed her study to what God put on her heart—the story of Joseph. I cried so heavily. All at once I knew my baby was in heaven and somehow I knew the beginnings of what God's love was like. That happening started a new life for me.

I came to ICM 1 ½ years ago and the staff here has been very instrumental in my growth as a Christian. Even tho I started my walk with God back in jail, I have only just gotten healthy enough to begin accepting His love. It has been so difficult for me to see myself the way He sees me. The Shattered 2 Shalom Program has helped me in this very much also. ICM has been truly working with God in helping me grow as an individual and most importantly—as a Christian with a mission, God’s mission. It is because of the personal touch from ICM that I feel a big hug from God. Sounds funny but that’s how it feels to me. I’m so thankful to ICM for the obvious reasons (food, shelter, safe environment, etc.) but my true joy comes from the freedom that I am realizing more and more everyday that I have in Jesus Christ. I can’t say I thank God for the death of my little boy. However, I can say that my life has changed and prayerfully the boldness that God has given me will be life changing for others as well.