Hello my name is Savannah, I am 22 years old and the oldest of three. From the beginning I was raised in a broken home; my father was sent to prison when I was only four years old. Before I was five years old I had been sexually abused and my whole perception of life was altered. Growing up I was teased and put down—I felt as though I was never good enough. By the age of 17 I found myself entering into heavy drug abuse.

My name is Becky and I was born in Hermiston Oregon as a result of an affair. I’ve never felt like I was wanted. I felt like as I entered the world I destroyed my dad’s family. So my whole life I’ve strived for meaning, belonging and love. All I’ve wanted is to be accepted.

Cadence (my three-year old daughter) and I were outside looking at the sunset and talking about the crickets. Cadence started crying and said, “Mom, I want Jesus to come down from Heaven.” I answered “He will someday.”  She said “I want him to protect me from the wolves.”  I replied “Honey, he will.”

Before coming to Teen Challenge I was completely out of control. I had lost my son to the state due to a long drug addiction. I was a broken woman, completely in bondage, full of guilt and shame. I didn’t think I could be loved by anyone–least of all the Creator of our universe.