Read our November 2008 newsletter. Would you like to receive our newsletter? Fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

Because of your gifts, Cathy's not running anymore. 

By the age of 7, Cathy had lived a lifetime of heartaches. She was a victim of sexual molestation and physical abuse. Her parents were alcoholics. She never remembers being hugged or kissed. Her father eventually shot her mom and then turned the gun on himself, all in front of Cathy. She went to live with her grandmother but began running away. By age 10, Cathy was making suicide attempts. As a teenager, she engaged in skipping school, drinking, smoking pot and running away.

“I ran all my life,” said Cathy. “When things got too tough, I would move.”

In April 2008 in the South Bend area came a turning point -Cathy was arrested for violating her parole. She was rushed to the hospital where it was determined she was breathing only 40 percent of the oxygen her body needed, plus she weighed only 113 pounds. “I literally felt myself dying inside,” recalls Cathy. “My life WAS death. I knew I couldn’t have it both ways and that I would have to choose. I thank God for that arrest.”

When she was released from jail, she was told to choose where she would be paroled to. She picked Kokomo Rescue Mission’s Open Arms shelter because of the name. “It just jumped out at me,” she recalled.

She moved in on July 21, 2008 and Cathy’s life began to change. “I decided that I had tried my way for so many years and it wasn’t working. I had to try it His way. I was raised in a hypocritical church. I believed in God but I didn’t believe He could move mountains.”

Cathy’s parole is over and she is now staying at Open Arms voluntarily. Her decision to choose life and follow the Lord was motivated by a desire to be involved in the lives of her two adult children and her grandchildren.

“My grandchildren don’t know me,” said Cathy. “I’ve been on the streets their whole life. My goal is to be strong enough to handle temptations so I can bring God into their lives.”

In the meantime, Cathy is making the most of her time at Open Arms. She has been entrusted with the responsibility of working at the front desk. Her favorite Bible verse is 1 John 4: 7-8.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.”

Cathy has found the love that comes from God at Open Arms and her life has been saved. “This is an awesome place,” said Cathy. “I would recommend it for any woman who truly wants spiritual health and wants to change her life.”

Read John's story or Mark's story or others like this in our free newsletter called The Mission Messenger. Sign up to receive our newsletter using the form below.

Give now to help women like Cathy find freedom and victory through Jesus Christ over the destructive forces in their lives.