"Last Thursday January 14th. I was going to commit suicide that night. I ate my last meal and found a place to shower so when they found my body at least I would be clean. I have been homeless and addicted. I cant even be a good mom to my daughter. I know she is better off without me. I don't know how to change my life and I am so ANGRY with God. I had my backpack on and I was headed to go kill myself but for some reason I decided to pray. I said..."God, give me 3 signs to show me you are real and you love me" I remember thinking ok that's a lot to ask for so I guess just give me one. It was dark out and I was outside walking. A few minutes later I looked up and there was a guy walking.  I wasn't in the clearest state of mind so I actually thought It was a using buddy of mine but it was just some random guy walking home from the YMCA. I stopped to talk to him because like I said I thought he was someone else. come to find out he is in recovery and he is staying at his brothers house who is also in recovery. They were encouraging me to get help and called a hotel and paid for two nights for me. This kind of #kindness doesn't happen to me. I knew this was God. After the best nights sleep, the next day I reached out to someone I knew from church. I said "I don't know what im doing but I need help" They encouraged me to call MNTC so I did. MNTC said if you are here Monday at 8 am we have a bed for you but you better be here because we never have openings! ok is this God again? Over the weekend I went to TBO church and the whole message was to me. The pastor even said "This is not what I had planned to preach on and I don't know why im preaching something completely different but this is for someone here. "OK God I hear you!"

Sunday morning I listened to Steven Furtick online and then attended Eaglebrook church with this friend from church. Both messages were about me. It felt like God was speaking directly to me. After church we stopped at my friends parents house where they just happened to have clothes they were getting rid of in my size! I was blessed to have more than one outfit going into MNTC on Monday. To top it off they brought me to go see my daughter Sunday evening. I got to play with her and give her hugs and kisses. Thank you God for not only giving me 3 signs but giving me way more."

“I haven’t had a haircut in over a year.

 

This haircut has blessed me in more ways than one. I have confidence again and I feel the love and support being poured into me. It’s nice to know they believe in me.

 

My struggle is with addiction, you see I have coped with trauma and pain by self medicating. I honestly didn’t know any other way. Now, because of Jesus I do! I want to spread his love into the broken parts of this world like he has done for me. The Hope mission brought more love into my life.

 

Thank you, Mindy"

" On June 28th, 2018 my life changed forever.

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I was in a relationship with Robby at that point for 8 years. He was my other half. We had gotten into an argument as any couple does and I left to go to my mom's for the night. Robby posted some weird things on Facebook like apologizing for his wrongs and he told everyone he loved them. I felt like something was wrong so I tried calling him and texting him but he didn't answer. I drove back and found him. it was too late. he had shot himself. 

​

For a long time I had blamed God and myself. So many people blamed me too saying it was me. I couldn't cope and I started using heroin. I was making really bad poor life decisions. At rock bottom I found River City Recovery in Cambridge MN. Here I began to learn about Jesus and what faith is about. 

​

Today I am 64 days sober and I can honestly say that God saved my life!"

"Now I won't be bullied!" in the words of 6th grader Hayden.

 

Hayden is kind, smart and quite frankly does not seem like a 6th grader. She is so wise and witty for her age. Hayden wants to be a hairstylist and a make-up artist when she grows up. How cool is that? She likes to watch Youtube videos and do Tiktok (which show me a teenager that doesn't)  

When I first saw Hayden walking up to me she had a hat on and a hood covering her. She looked so sad and defeated. Hayden recently has been severely bullied online for not only being homeless with her family but not having the right hair. Hayden knew her family wasn't able to afford to bring her to a salon to get a haircut so she decided to try it on her own.  Let's acknowledge this girl's bravery! wow! Unfortunately it did not turn out the way she wanted it. Her bangs were to her hairline and of course it is hard to cut the back of your head. I know I can't it. 

Her mom, along with New Pathways in Cambridge MN reached out to us and boy what a delight it was to give this stylist in training some tips.

 I was reminded as to why I do this when I saw happy tears coming from her mom and a little girl who was literally jumping in the air with excitement.

 

If you are looking for a way to donate to this family please contact New Pathways in Cambridge Mn

#763-691-0121

Mckayla is a 14 year old girl who is only a few weeks out from a complete heart transplant. What a WARRIOR! 

She was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. She is probably one of the funniest girls I have ever met. She has one of those laughs that when you hear it you just start laughing yourself because it is just so contagious. 

She talks about how her whole life she has been afraid of dying. She has had to think about it often and had to come to terms with the fact she could pass at a young age. Mckayla was given such a great gift of this new heart but it doesn't come easy. She now has to take 21 daily medications for the rest of her life and was told it would be dangerous to ever have children. She has to have an in home nurse, which now her single mom quit her job to do full time. She also in the future will have to have other heart transplants to keep her healthy.

 Can we just pause for a moment to think about this...what would you do if this was you at 14? What would you do if this was your child? So often I think it's easy to take your health or your children’s health for granted. 

If you want to support this family during this difficult time I have posted the go fund me link below.

I am so thankful I got the opportunity to cut this little ladies hair and meet her family! 

 

gofund.me/e34c66b8

“ We are not lazy bums. We just got into a situation and we are fighting every day to find a place to call home.”

Brittany is 25 years old. She has twins that are 4 years old and is about to give birth to a baby girl. She really wanted me to share that anyone could really be in this place. Her and her husband had a place to live but due to the pandemic they were forced to leave where they were living and had to sleep in their car until they got hooked up with New Pathways in Cambridge Mn. 

“ I hope to see a day where people aren’t homeless and housing is more affordable.”

-Brittany 

New Pathways, Cambridge MN

"Through my addiction, I have experienced the pits of a sin filled despair. MNTC has helped remove the scales from my eyes and allowed me to strengthen my relationship with Christ. I can now say am finally experiencing the joys of sobriety."

 Joanne was in the hospital close to death due to her drinking. her whole body had completely shut down. If she had not had the bravery to save her own life and seek help she would not be alive today. This woman is fighting for her life daily and it was an honor to listen to her story of strength. It truly is a reminder of how God never leaves us.

"This haircut provided by THM was a wonderful experience. It reminded me of the days before alcohol took control of my life and I actually had the means to go to a salon. Thank you for the wonderful haircut and overall experience."

-Joanne

Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge long term program

" I grew up in an alcoholic home with my mother. My dad was absent. 

I have a lot of trauma from my younger years. 

I began drinking at an early age to cope. 

 

    I left home at 18 and started a family. After my 1st child was born I struggled with postpartum depression and started drinking heavily. My husband and children suffered a lot during my evil addiction. I treated them very poorly. I lashed out at them and just wasn't the person I should of been. 

 

    I lost a very good job calling in sick and coming in late to work. My car was repossessed and our apartment would not renew our lease because of me. I was drinking morning and night until I would pass out. 

 

    I started having seizures when I was withdrawing. I had hit rock bottom. I knew I needed to change my life.

 

At MNTC I am changing my life. Healing from past trauma and learning who I really am in Christ and I am so exited to see what God has in store for my life."

 

"The Hope Mission shampooed, cut and styled my hair. I feel like a new woman! They volunteered their time to come into MNTC and be of service to us. They also shared their stories and that made me feel so comfortable around them. Like I have hope. Thank God for them!"

-Nat

MNTC