I didn’t grow up in a religious household, quite the opposite actually. We did the occasional Easter service and knew a couple of the Bible stories because of my grandma. Aside from that, my house was full of sin. Materialistically, we had everything we needed. We never went hungry , we were never cold and always had clean clothes. However, it was far from an empathetic home. Harsh words, addictions, violence, chaos and dismay had led me down the path of dark destruction. I turned to drugs, and chasing false loves. I allowed being treated horribly and soon to come the guilt and shame of my actions weighed my spirit down. I let the enemy get too close and he was winning.

God first showed up for me (without me making the connection up until recently) in August of 2007 when I became pregnant with my son Gionni. I never wanted kids or had any plans of being a mother because I didn’t want to put a child through any of what I went through. It felt safer not to [have kids] but knowing what I know now is that even though my son was created from sin, he is a blessing and keeping him literally saved me. I have been clean from my drugs of choice since the day I found out. Through God, Gionni has taught me love, kindness, patience, and so much more. I had felt the calling to build a relationship with God and tried a bigger church in the area and it was anything but a safe place of worship and definitely was not for me.

A few years went by and in February of 2020, God (without me realizing again until recently) showed up for me again. I was in a horrific snowmobile accident and had injuries from head to toe. The doctors at Harborview didn’t know how I was alive, but I know how! Around Easter time of 2024 my cousin invited me to City Central and I have been here since. The community, love, support, and safe place to come and learn the Lord is everything I have ever yearned for and I am so grateful to be home. My life has changed drastically and nobody can tell me God doesn’t do it! Through God, City Central has saved us and vice versa. Through City Central, I have been given the tools, relationships, and resources to [connect more with] God. Through God and City Central I have been given the opportunity to bring community together and grow closer to God.

Isaiah 58:9 says,
“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help; and he will say here am I”.

Yes He will, He has, and will continue to do so because He is my faithful Father. Such a good feeling!