When Ginny arrived at the Gospel Rescue Mission, she was scared and overwhelmed. “I thought to myself, Could I do this? Could I follow the rules? Could I really change?” she recalls. What she didn’t know then was that this place—this routine, this community—would become home.
Ginny’s life has been shaped by resilience from an early age. Born in Brooklyn and raised in California, her childhood was marked by family separation and abuse. After her parents’ divorce, she was hidden from her father for years and raised under strict control by her stepmother. Despite this, Ginny found joy and identity working on a ranch, raising animals, and participating in Future Farmers of America, where she discovered confidence, responsibility, and pride in hard work.
As she grew older, Ginny longed for freedom—but like many, that freedom came at a cost. She entered adulthood carrying deep rebellion, pain, and eventually substance use. For years, she worked tirelessly—never relying on public assistance—using drugs to keep going during the day and alcohol to sleep at night. On her 30th birthday, something changed.
After a long evening of partying, she recalls, “I woke up the next morning and said, I’m done. And somehow, by the grace of God, I just stopped.”
Ginny went on to build a meaningful life—running a dog grooming business, raising her daughter, and later enjoying the role of grandmother. Over time, however, personal challenges began to surface, particularly around fear and boundaries. Her habit of giving beyond healthy limits eventually left her depleted in many areas of life, and those struggles ultimately brought her to the Mission. Here, Ginny began learning something new: strength doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. It means learning when to say no. “For the first time, I’m saving money. I don’t live with anxiety anymore. I’m stronger now.”
Through daily routine, chapel, and discipleship, Ginny found stability—and peace. Though the structure felt intimidating at first, she soon discovered it was calming. “Routine keeps you on the right path,” she says. “It teaches you how to live again.”
One of the most transformative moments for Ginny came through a conversation with Monica, our Women’s Coordinator. Carrying decades of guilt, Ginny finally shared burdens she had never spoken aloud. In that moment, she learned a truth that changed everything: God had already forgiven her. “I turned the page—and I haven’t felt that guilt since.”
Christmas at the Mission became another powerful moment. Surrounded by lights, laughter, and children opening gifts, Ginny experienced something she hadn’t felt in years: a true sense of family. “It felt like a real home Christmas,” she says. “One of the best I’ve had in a long time.”
Today, Ginny looks toward the future with hope. She’s saving for a car, dreaming of a place of her own with a rose garden, and hoping to return to work in a veterinary office—something she’s always loved. Most importantly, she’s walking daily with the Lord. “I’ve always known God,” she says. “But now I know His Word. I have clarity. I have freedom. I’m happier.”
When asked how she arrived at the Mission, Ginny says simply: “I came here broken. I won’t leave that way. You helped me put my puzzle back together—and now it’s complete.”
Ginny’s story is one of courage, healing, and God’s redemptive work—made possible through the faithfulness of this community. Thank you for being part of the journey.
