She believes God’s grace brought her here—not her own strength.
When Regina arrived at the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia four months ago, she was tired in every possible way. After more than 30 years of addiction, a season of sobriety, and nearly five years lost to relapse, she knew she could not keep living the same way. She believes God’s grace brought her here—not her own strength.
Regina did not grow up without love. She was the middle child, and along with her two siblings, she was adopted and raised by her grandmother who stepped in when her parents needed help. At 50 years old, her grandmother opened her home, gave them stability, and made sure they attended church. Regina knew about God early and even attended kindergarten at a local church before public school.
Still, Regina says she had a rebellious spirit. At 13, she tried drugs for the first time at school. She could not have known how one choice would open the door to years of pain or how much addiction would steal. Over time, she struggled with low self-esteem, a diminished sense of self-worth, unhealthy relationships, and self-destructive patterns, searching for love in places that could never heal her.
Her life also carried deep heartbreak. Regina married and had three children, but each marriage ended in devastating loss. Her first husband died by suicide. Her second husband died from a drug overdose. She had a third attempt at love with a boyfriend who was killed while stealing copper. When that final loss came, something in her broke. Looking back, she believes Jesus was pulling on her heart in a way she could no longer ignore.
One night, while lying in bed crying, Regina saw a picture on the wall that read, “Allow faith to take over.” The words comforted her heart. It felt as if God was speaking directly to her. Another day, as she was driving, the song “Bring Me to Life” came on the radio. Again, she sensed the Lord reminding her He was still present and able to restore her. Regina knew it was time to let Jesus in and trust Him to care for her.
Her son Thomas, a graduate of the Rescue Mission’s Life Recovery Program, encouraged her to seek recovery. That was meaningful because Regina had first told him about the Mission. Now he was pointing her back to the same place. She had tried a similar program before but had not completed it. This time was different. Regina came without hesitation. She was miserable, out of God’s will, and struggling even to pray. Before entering the Rescue Mission, she completed eight days of detox at a local rehab. It became her first step toward freedom.
Since coming to the Mission, Regina says Jesus has been freeing her from guilt and shame. Her prayer life and conviction have returned. Relationships are being restored, and she is learning to see herself the way God does. Her confidence is growing because she is beginning to understand who she is in Christ.
The classes and self-evaluations have helped her look honestly at herself. One class, The Cure, has been especially meaningful. It teaches residents to take off their masks and understand that God’s grace covers them. For years, Regina wore masks, trying to bury pain, shame, and broken pieces through addiction. Now she is surrounded by the life-changing truth that God already knew every part of her—and loved her anyway. That truth is helping her love others right where they are, just as Jesus has loved her.
Each day, staying close to Jesus gives Regina strength to keep going. She never wants to drift away from Him again. Although she always believed in God, she says she was spiritually blind before coming to the Mission. She prayed for God to remove that blindness, and He is answering her prayer. Regina has seen His unfailing love and knows He is the only One who can restore a person from the inside out.
If Regina had to choose one word to describe what the Rescue Mission means to her, it would be restoration. God is using this place to heal her spiritually and rebuild her life. She is still in the program, learning, growing, and allowing God to work. Work therapy has also become part of her healing. For three months, she served at the Bargain Center thrift store, where she learned how donations support the Mission and what it means to work alongside others with similar stories. Now she serves in the women’s clothing closet. When new women arrive with almost nothing, Regina helps provide what they need. She sorts and organizes donations for the women’s closet, while quietly spending time with God. Helping women begin their own journey has become a blessing to her.
For anyone unsure about starting at the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia, Regina’s message is simple: nothing will change out there if you keep doing the same things. There is a better way of life, but you must be willing to take the first step. Regina is grateful the Mission opened its doors and lovingly welcomed her in.
Today, Regina gives all glory to God. She knows the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but God offers life, healing, and restoration. Regina’s choice is clear. She is choosing Jesus, one day at a time—and she believes God is not finished with her yet.
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