New Life Mission

Nancy’s Testimony:

Came from an athiest, alcoholic, abusive home. At the age of 12 I lived on the streets of Sudbury Ontario. I became involved with the bikers and became a  carrier which continue until I was 17. I’ve witnessed a lot of death and destruction. This supported my drug habit.

At 18 I returned home where more drinking and abuse took place. I became pregnant and moved to Edmonton where my baby girl was born. After this I moved to BC, I was always looking for the cure to my pain but everywhere I went it followed me. I moved around a lot within BC, getting involved in prostitution and living on the streets. My daughter lived with my sister b/c I was too sick to care for her. This life continued for the next 30 years which also involved an unhealthy and abusive marriage, and the birth of my son. I wasn’t able to hold any jobs down. My first treatment experience happened in 1990, that’s a day I’ll never forget. I wasn’t ready to give up my drugs at the time, and since then I’ve been in about 10 treatment centres and various shelters, transition homes, and recovery centres but nothing seemed to work.

When I stepped into the House of Ruth, it was a bit of a rough start with 2 relapses which I feel was because of my anger towards God  and guilt and shame over the person I’d become. At the House of Ruth I’ve had the opportunity to heal and found the cure for my pain which is letting go and working through it with God. He’s helped me face my fears, look inside and given me the strength to stop running and face me. In my life of Recovery I’ve discovered routine and structure, new life skills including employment training, confidence through counseling and support from the staff. God’s given me a new family and sense of belonging and most of all…..Love. I’m so grateful for the restoration of my family, and a new beginning to a new life.