I released my biggest wounds to Jesus and he turned them into my greatest gifts.

“My zeal for God and his work burns hot within me” (Psalm 69:9 LB).

When I was child a neighbor man bullied me for many years. He actually pulled me aside one day and let me know I was number one on his most hated list. I never told my parents. I felt ashamed and was convinced something was terribly wrong with me.

Years later I saw this man bullying a neighbour boy. In an instant all my fear was set aside and I yelled, “stop it” I ran across the street and put myself between the man and boy. I told him to leave the kid alone and, he did.

You see, he was not my only bully. I spent all my school years being bullied by peers and I never really made much of it. Somehow I thought it was my fault.

I grew up with the idea I was just not right. I didn’t fit in anywhere and in my later teen years depression took me over.

One day when I was at my lowest point I grabbed my Bible. I read about Gods love and how he chose me. He not only chose me, he passionately desired a relationship with me.

It took a long time but I finally received his grace and released the hurt of my childhood to God. He turned the wounds into my greatest gifts.

Nana’s House has been the perfect place to express these gifts.

God has given me his eyes to see what a child can be once they let go of their terrible pain and rejection.

The realization that God’s love is real is not an easy thing for a wounded child yet; there are so many miracles in Nana’s House. I have seen so many children come to us ready to fight and resist love. A few weeks in Nana’s House and peace settles over them. It’s amazing to witness this change and it is something that fills me with passion to continue on in this wonderful journey.

Chris’s Story

He was the terror of his neighborhood. His family would tie him up as a discipline because he was so out of control. Chris lived in a rough neighborhood, the black tar heroin capital of Nayarit. His mother was an addict and paid little attention to him. They did not have the interest or the funds to send him to school so; he never learned to read and write One day his mother was high, Chris’s tiny, baby brother wouldn’t stop was crying. His mother couldn’t stand it and in her drug crazed state of mind she threw the baby to the ground, Chris’s brother died.

Chris was taken by Child Protective Services and placed in Nana’s House because his mother was sent to jail. It has not been easy on him but Chris is actually a sweet boy. It’s hard for us to imagine he was the terror of his neighborhood. He functions well with some structure, attention and the security of a family atmosphere. He is in school and doing well, he’s funny and interacts well with the other children.

Pray that God continues to heal his heart. We all know he has a lot to deal with and we are that safe place where he can express the hurt and hopefully find the peace only God can offer.