Mercy Graduate Celebrates 5 Years of Freedom!

A couple of weeks ago, I got the coolest email from one of our former Mercy graduates who wanted me to know that she was celebrating her five year anniversary from graduating from the Mercy program. I cannot even begin to tell you how encouraged I am when I get these emails. Because we have been going strong for 26 years now, it seems that I get at least one of these messages everyday. It’s so encouraging for me and the staff, but I also want to encourage those of you who are partners with us so that you too can see the fruit of your giving. I’m going to share with you in Melanie’s own words so that you can hear straight from her heart.

“Dear Nancy & Mercy Staff,

I just wanted to e-mail an update of how appreciative I am of Mercy Ministries! I am a former TN Mercy girl who had many things to celebrate this past June 9th. June 9th to me is a day of new beginnings – it was 5 year anniversary from graduating from Mercy. I not only celebrated my graduation 5 years ago, I also celebrated the birth of my baby sister Madison. She was born the same day I graduated! I adore her, and can only hope to pass onto her everything the Lord taught me during my 7 ½ month stay at Mercy. But that’s not all, on June 9th; I also celebrated my 2 year wedding anniversary! God has done so much in my life since graduating from Mercy. The biggest lesson He has taught me is that when you live your life in Christ, your past does not determine your future, and God can make ALL things NEW! ☺

Thank you SO MUCH for your continued dedication to the lost. I would not be where I am today had God not placed Mercy Ministries in my life. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

My husband and I were given the opportunity to come to Mercy Nashville last summer, and I was approved to speak to the girls the Saturday we were there. It was incredible! The girls were even asking my husband questions, and the staff said that the girls don’t normally stick around on a Saturday and ask as many questions as they did. God was moving in their hearts and it was an honor to be able to minister to them.

Kevin and I really want to come back to Mercy. We both have a passion for telling God’s story. We have actually been dreaming up some stuff that we would like to do for the girls if those doors were to open again. My husband came up with the idea that we should give them each a rose, and then I thought of a song that I wanted to attach to the rose...”

I was so blessed by what Melanie had to say that I emailed her back and thanked her for sharing her heart with me. I reminded her that I never get tired of these stories, and that I’m so thankful that God put her and Kevin together and that we’d love to have them come back at anytime they can. I just wanted to share with you that Melanie’s story represents so many of the young women who desire to help others with the same help and comfort that they themselves have received (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

I hope that wherever you are in your life today that Melanie’s words will help you understand that regardless of what your past may have been like, your past does not determine your future! We can’t change our past, but we can change our future with the choices we are making today.