Maya's Story

"I was just lost," says Maya about the years before her arrival at Hope Gospel Mission. "I'd had surgery, and I was on narcotics for a long time. I got addicted and was out of control. I broke up with my boyfriend and stayed with a friend, but she was using meth. I knew I needed to go somewhere with structure that could help me rebuild my life."

Maya found Hope Gospel Mission online. "I was very fortunate to get in," she says. "It was life-changing. They pushed me to do my best in everything." That included being a better mother to her son, who is now five.

"I had a lot of pivotal moments in my faith here," Maya tells us. "People supported me as I grew in Christ." Maya recalls a difficult three days when she observed the third anniversary of the murder of her son's father, lost her beloved grandfather and learned her brother was suicidal. "I'm so grateful I was here for that because I was in a healthy environment with people who rallied round me and prayed with me."

Maya believes the Mission's faith-based environment was key to her recovery. "I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for that."

Maya is now in a very good place in her life. She is finishing the Renewed Hope program, after which she will move to Texas with her mother, her son and her sister. There she plans to study pediatric oncology research and hopes to one day work for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In the meantime, Maya wants to write a book with her sister about their childhood, how her addiction damaged their relationship and how God and Hope Gospel Mission helped repair it.

Maya owes her new life to Christ and to friends like you who support Hope Gospel Mission. "My son and I get a second chance because I will leave here with the life skills and faith to give him the life he deserves."

*Names and photos in stories may have been changed for privacy.