Kristina
My name is Kristina McDonald. I’m from Decatur, Alabama. I had a decent childhood, and I went to church every Sunday. I always went to school and made good grades. I fought a lot, went to jail a lot, because I always felt people were against me. I was born with scoliosis so I had a lot of back pain that lead to being on pain pills, Xanax, and other meds.
One night I was kidnapped for over 3 hours, tortured, raped several times, beat in the head with a gun, shot and left for dead. It was all over the internet, TV, and the newspapers so my anxiety progressed.
I didn’t like people so I didn’t trust anyone. I became broken, miserable, and just flat out not talking to God. I started using cocaine with the pills. I was In and out of jailwith a lot of felonies and charges. I lost my grandma then my mother and basically lost it. Found myself looking for a place to go, came to the mission, and stayed in overnight for over a year filled with hate. Mrs. Tennille shared with me and suggested I join the program. So I did and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I struggled daily with my anger but the staff was amazing.
Learning so much since I’ve been here and the teachers and staff are amazing. With so many brothers and sisters in Christ now when I’m mad, scared, sad, they are here to lift me up. My family has always been there for me and never once turned their back on me no matter what I did. If my story can help someone else it’s worth telling. The mission saved my life and got me back on track with God. I will be forever grateful.
In all that pain I found God again. I lost my brother when I was in overnight. He came weekly to take me out to eat and to my apartment. The last thing he said to me while driving out the gate was “Please get yourself together.” I stayed at the mission, graduated the program and I am currently working at the Madison thrift store.
Grateful every day for my family, the mission, and God. God can and will place things in your way but you have to keep your faith. Never count yourself out or give up.
