Services and Programs - Changing Lives

God Saved a Wretch Like Me

“I was very broken and wanted to end my life,” says 59-year-old Betty Thomas, as she recalls the dark days—less than two years ago—before coming to Bridgeport Rescue Mission. But the tragedies and heartaches leading up to her deep despair had accumulated over a lifetime.

“I lived in an orphanage until I was 7 years old, “ Betty shares. “Then I was adopted by beautiful parents. But somehow I still turned out to be an alcoholic.”

As an adult Betty drank to escape the turmoil of being battered by an abusive husband who also took her daughter from her. Her addiction nearly killed her several times, either by causing her to want to take her own life or by making her so physically ill she nearly died. Finally she sought treatment at the Mission. “But six months into the program, my father passed away. Then my mother died two weeks later and that just blew me away. She’d been my rock.” Betty left the Mission and rekindled her addiction. Five years later she was ready to end her life again.

“I remember being in my apartment, with the shades pulled, in the darkness. I got down on my knees and asked God to help me. As I was watching TV, I caught a glimpse of the word ‘mission,’ and I thought, ‘God, you’re giving me a sign!’”

Betty returned to our New Life Discipleship Program and received counseling to overcome her long-held feelings of criticism and rejection and to forgive those who had hurt her. In our Women’s Learning Center, she took part in Bible studies, computer classes and life- and job-skills training. Most importantly, “I learned to stay still and let God change my life,” she says.

As she completed the program she also helped out in our Women’s Shelter. “I wanted to give back to the program that was giving so much to me. I’d see the girls off in the morning, get them breakfast, make sure their chores were done.” When she graduated in June, she was hired on for a staff position!

“I’ve totally surrendered,” Betty says today, knowing she’ll never drink again. “I don’t have to go down that path of destruction any more. God intervened in my life and gave me a chance to see what He could do with it. God saved a wretch like me!”

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