She Refused To Be A Statistic Or A Casualty…

First of all, I want to thank all the brave men and women of the various arms of our military services who lay down their lives to protect us every day. I’m so thankful that we have a day we actually set aside to honor those who serve our country in such a sacrificial way. Wherever you are today, I hope you are having a blessed time. If you think about it, say a prayer of thanksgiving and protection for our troops who are still potentially in harm’s way.

Here at Mercy we are oftentimes on the front lines. I received a really cool email from a young girl who almost became a statistic, because she wanted to die rather than continue to live in pain and bondage. However, she found out about Mercy, walked through our doors, graduated the program, and is now celebrating her college graduation. I just got this email a few days ago and thought you should hear it in her own words…

Hey Nancy,

Sheer joy of crossing the finish line!

Exactly one year ago, I was ready to die. College graduation was far from my mind, as I lived in a hellish pit of despair and cycles of sin. I felt stuck and honestly thought that there was no way out. It was exactly at that point that I got accepted to come to Mercy. Not only did I graduate from Mercy, but this weekend, I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Graduation day for me was not about putting on the Carolina blue cap and gown, singing the Tar Heel fight song for the last time as a student, or taking pictures by the Old Well with my amazing friends (although I LOVE these things!). Instead, it was a sweet reminder of the Lord’s faithfulness. I rested in the sweetness of our mighty God whose love alone can break the power of sin and depression, who sought me out when I was in darkness, and who has given me abundant joy and eternal hope. I never thought life could be this good. I wish I could more accurately express the overflowing gratitude in my heart for how the Lord has used Mercy to really breathe life into me again, but I pray that you’re encouraged and can see a glimpse of my joy in these graduation pictures. Thank you again for all that you and the Mercy staff do!

Love,
Alison, December 2010 Mercy Graduate

Alison (right) with her best friend, Lauren

Alison (center) and her housemates

Alison, I am so glad that you chose to go back and finish your college degree. We celebrate with you and we are so proud of you!!! God has huge blessings in store for you, and I know He will use you in amazing ways! Thanks to all of our monthly partners and financial supporters who helped make this possible!

1988 Mercy Graduate Pays Surprise Visit Today…

Jessica was 17 years old, facing an unplanned pregnancy when she walked through the doors of our Louisiana Mercy home in 1988. Little did I know that 23 years later she would come back to see me, bringing her husband and family for me to meet. I remember Jessica well and was thrilled to see her!

I fully remember that Jessica made the decision to keep her baby and become a single parent. That little girl is now 23 years old and was raised by her adoptive dad who came into her life as a little girl and is still her dad to this day. Not only that, but Jessica and John have had six other children, for a total of seven! The newest arrivals are a set of twin girls who are four years old and in the picture to the right. The three oldest were not on the trip to Nashville with John and Jessica, but we were thrilled to meet the four youngest. What a great time it was as John and Jessica spoke with and encouraged our current residents that they have a great future in front of them! Thought you would love to meet a Mercy girl who is still going strong for God 23 years and counting!!!

Hope you have a great holiday weekend!

Busy Time…

Hey Guys,

Too busy with ministry to talk to you today, but I’ll talk to you later!

Need Some Encouragement Today…Check This Out!!!

I recently spoke at Crossroads Church in Lafayette, Louisiana where I had the privilege of seeing and connecting with several Mercy graduates who live in the area (see blog from Wednesday, April 13th). 2009 Mercy graduate, Emily, is a part of the Master’s Commission through Crossroads Church and sent me a copy of her testimony to share with others. I hope Emily’s testimony is an encouragement to you…

It says in Micah 4:7 (Message paraphrase) that He will transform the battered into a company of the elite and He will make a strong nation out of the long lost.


I came to Mercy two years ago struggling with an eating disorder and an addiction to alcohol. I was convinced that I was a bad person because so many bad things had happened to me. I attempted to gain some sense of control through an eating disorder because in every area of my life, I had lost control. I became physically addicted to alcohol at a young age and at one point I was rushed to the ER because I stopped breathing from alcohol poisoning. I literally had nothing. Everything that once had significance was taken from me either because of someone else’s mistakes or by my own decision making process.


In my season with Mercy, I had to learn how to open my heart up to God and people. It wasn’t easy because I had been hurt so many times. I had to do a lot of things afraid. And if I were being totally honest, I still do a lot of things afraid. However, the pain in my life was the catalyst that encouraged a heart change toward the possibility of transformation. Once I understood that God could be trusted, I slowly unclenched my fists and became vulnerable to the healing process. I found that as I completely surrendered myself to the Lord, I experienced freedom in my mind and emotions.


It’s hard to believe that it has been almost two years since I‘ve graduated from Mercy. I wish I could say that life after Mercy is perfect. But the reality is that with life comes calamity, disappointment, and pain. In spite of all this, He promises to never forsake you in the midst of affliction. Yes, there is the name of addiction, abandonment, abuse, and heartache. But His name is above every other name and every knee has to submit itself and declare Him as Lord.


The life I live today is truly a testimony of God’s faithfulness. As of June 2011, I will have graduated from 9-months of Master’s Commission which is a discipleship / ministry training school. In my time with Master’s Commission, I have been involved in children’s and youth ministry through providing on-going spiritual leadership, discipleship, practical service, and availability to students as well as their families. I learned the fundamentals of ministry through hands on training and classroom instruction. Recently, I traveled to the nation of Romania, my nationality and original country of birth, for ministry purposes. While in Romania, I had the opportunity to spend time at a girl’s home for young victims of human trafficking. I also provided humanitarian aid through food distribution and ministry to Gypsy villages. In addition to being a student at Crossroad’s Master’s Commission, located in Lafayette, Louisiana, I am also taking online classes to earn a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Counseling. I am expected to complete my degree in the summer of 2012. My graduation from Master’s Commission would not be possible without the grace of God and the people He placed into my life to help me walk out my freedom. Any successes that may ensue as a result of my involvement with Master’s Commission is because of their involvement in my life.


Mercy doesn’t heal people. God heals people. Mercy acts as an extension of God’s love and compassion through providing a safe environment that fosters lifelong transformation. I want to encourage anyone who may be considering Mercy Ministries as an option to just do it. On the other side of your obedience are answered prayers, life, fulfillment, wholeness, hope, and restoration. God is so relational and He isn’t a child abuser. He is personally acquainted with you through observation and participation. I believe God will make every step toward you but one. And that final step belongs to you. When the pain in your life outweighs whatever may be holding you back - fear, pride, shame - I believe you’ll be thirsty enough to make that step. And when you do, He’ll be right there; ready to walk you through the healing process.

Emily and I had a chance to catch up at Crossroads Church in Lafayette!

Thanks so much Emily for taking the time to share your amazing testimony!! You are definitely letting your light shine and we are so proud of you!!!

Another Mercy Girl Graduates College!!!

I always love when graduation time comes around every year, because I so enjoy receiving updates from our Mercy graduates who are now getting their college degrees. I just received this awesome email from Kristi who came to the Nashville Mercy home in 2007. Kristi is now living life to the fullest, and I wanted to share her amazing update with you…

Hey Nancy,

Four years ago, at the end of April, I graduated from Mercy Ministries, and I am finally graduating from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with my B.A in Spanish. I cannot believe four years have passed since Mercy, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity I received when I was accepted into Mercy. I am eating disorder free and living life to the fullest!!

I just wanted to share with you what's going on in my life. My Mercy ring is so precious to me, and I am always getting compliments on how beautiful it is. I didn't even buy a college graduation ring because nothing compares to the triumph of being a Mercy grad, and walking out life in the freedom of the Lord. My Mercy ring is a beautiful reminder of how blessed I am.

Love you!

- Kristi

We are so proud of you, Kristi!!!

Guest Pastors From Minnesota Connect With Girls!!!

We had a great time today with Pastors Rob and Becca Ketterling from River Valley Church! First we heard from Becca, and then Pastor Rob shared an amazing message about his own background and family that so connected with the hearts of our girls. It was a very special time, and we have received so much positive feedback from our girls about how this message changed their perspective. We will share more in a web story tomorrow, but just wanted to give you this news hot off the press and show you some amazing pictures from our time together. I have been invited to come and be a part of the weekend services Saturday and Sunday, June 25th and 26th – I am so looking forward to my first visit there!

Great Weekend At Living Word Family Church!!!

The weekend in Raleigh began on Friday night, as I had the privilege of launching the first session of the 2011 Influence Women’s Conference. I was so excited to spend time with my fellow speaker and dear friend, Terri Savelle Foy. Terri is the author of “Make Your Dreams Bigger Than Your Memories” published by Regal Books – a tremendous and inspiring story. I had the privilege of speaking again on Saturday morning followed by two amazing messages by Terri. I promise you that you want to know all about Terri’s ministry and hear her firsthand. Check out her website and how to get her book and teaching materials at www.terri.com. Some of you may recognize the “Savelle” name and there is a reason for that. Her parents are Jerry and Carolyn Savelle who are well known for their amazing messages and leadership in Christian circles. I strongly encourage you to resource your life with these tremendous tools that Terri has put together to enable people to fulfill all of their destiny and see their highest dreams fulfilled.

Me with Connie (center) and Terri (right)

I then had the privilege of speaking at both of the Sunday morning services at Living Word Family Church. We had a great time, and I so honor Pastors Steve and Connie Caronna for their vision and for their leadership in the Raleigh community and beyond. I also want to thank LWFC for the monthly mission support that they have given to Mercy for years and years. YOU ARE A PART OF EVERY CHANGED LIFE!!!

Me with Pastors Steve and Connie

Thanks for a great weekend! We loved being there!