NEW LIFE FOR GIRLS LANCASTER
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My name is Suzanne Anderson. I am 34 years old. I am originally from New York, and that is where I spent the first eight years of my life. My parents were both very involved in their careers, so I had the privilege of my grandmother living with us, and taking care of me. She was an amazing woman of God. In 1991 my father retired and we moved down south to North Carolina. At that moment my entire life changed. My grandmother's home was New York, so she didn't come with us. I went from being completely surrounded by all of my extended family, to feeling like I was left all alone. I was too young to truly understand, and I began feeling as though something was wrong with me, and that no one wanted to be around me. It was the furthest thing from the truth, but at 8 years old, it was my truth. I began acting out in many ways, trying to fill a void that was deep inside of me. By age 11 I was experimenting with drugs, and it wasn't long before my entire life spun out of control. I began living a double life, being sure not to let anyone get close to me, afraid they would discover the truth. My life was filled with nothing but lies. So many that I didn't even know what was true anymore. I got so caught up in this world that I had created, that I thought there was no way out. During these years I gave birth to 3 children. Due to my selfishness, I was in no position to raise them. They were adopted by family members, and given great lives. I know for them I did the right thing, but deep down, it was another low point. It was hard to face the fact that I couldn't even get clean for my kids. So from that point on things got even worse. I made it a point to stay away from all family, and anyone that would remind me of my pain. I stayed high, hoping to avoid reality. Heroin had become my drug of choice and I never thought that I could break free from it. I had accepted a life of misery, thinking I didn't deserve to have any better. In September of 2014 my entire life changed. I had collected several charges over the years, and everything was finally catching up to me. I was on the run, and one day realized that I was just done living the way I was. I cried out to God and asked for strength to face what I had coming. I ended up turning myself in, plead guilty to all my charges, and was ready to spend my sentence in Prison. But the Lord had other plans. I was in jail for a few months going back and forth to court. I spent all of my time in my bible, I got baptized while in jail, and I just knew that things were going to be different. I had more peace during those few months then I had ever had before. God softened the heart of the judge and I got time served. My pastors told me about New Life for Girls, and I knew that I had to go. My life has changed so much in such a short time. Not only am I clean from drugs, but today I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I am no longer stuck in bondage. I have already experienced tremendous restoration in my family. I am no longer ashamed of my past, but instead plan to use my brokenness to help restore hope in others who are still lost. I have committed my life to the Lord, and intend to make the Great Commission a reality in my life. I choose to live by these words. (2Peter 1:5-8) For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Testimonies
SUZANNE
My name is Nicole. I am 25 years old and was born and raised in a small town called Waverly, in Upstate New York. Growing up, my father was absent. I lived with my mom, grandma, and sister. My mom worked all the time and my sister was always withy her friends. So, my grandma took care of me, always spoiling me, and giving me food to "comfort" me. From a young age, I was addicted to food. I became obese. I had no friends and I was always picked on at school. I always felt so alone and worthless. When I was 11, I started cutting myself. and tried to end my life by taking whatever pills I could find. It's only by the grace of God that I am alive today. When I started middle school, I met a boy who actually paid attention to me. I thought, "finally, now I have a friend". We smoked weed together, skipped school together, and before I knew it, I was 16 and pregnant. I stopped smoking and took care of myself. I found out that I was going to have a little boy. At 6 months into my pregnancy, my water broke. the doctors told me, "we're sorry, but there is no heartbeat". I had named my baby boy Mason who was stillborn. That day, all I went home with was a broken heart and the morphine I was given by the doctors. I realized that with the morphine al of my pain disappeared. At the age of 16, I became an opiate addict and eventually it progressed to other drugs. I found myself doing whatever I had to do in order to get drugs. I was lying, stealing, and prostituting. This was the way I numbed myself and blocked out the reality of the condition I was in. I was lost in my addiction. I have been to jail many times, even to Muncy State Prison. I tried to get clean by going to secular programs which never worked for me. I really thought I was a lost cause. Since I have come to New Life for Girls I am discovering who I am in Christ and that God has plans for me to prosper and to give me a future. I realize that I am wonderfully made. I thank God every day for bringing me to New Life for Girls and for opening the eyes of my heart. I can see clearly that God will always be with me, and the void in my life from the past is gone forever. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Isaiah 40:31 - But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
I'm so grateful that God is using me at the Lancaster Introduction Center, where I came through, broken and lost. Now I know who I am in Christ. I can be a light to the new ladies who need love!
NICOLE
