Christina’s Story

When Christina was seventeen, she started volunteering at Wayne Hall, the women’s program of Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission.  She regularly helped with the children, which allowed their mothers to attend biblical life skills classes.  She never imagined that she would one day return to Wayne Hall as a resident.

Homeless and pregnant

However, in 2005, Christina showed up on the doorstep of Wayne Hall with her two small children and some personal belongings.  She was pregnant, jobless and recently evicted.   She had no idea that Wayne Hall required an in-depth admission interview and didn’t accept walk-ins.   She simply wanted a bed for a few weeks.

When she first walked in, Rita Whitaker, Director of Wayne Hall, felt that Christina was different.  Rita decided to break protocol and conduct an instant interview.  That same day, Christina was accepted into the year-long transitional housing program.

Christina had been repeatedly let down by others.  However, during the next 14 months Christina learned to depend on God.

Christina also focused on learning how to become self-sufficient.  “It was important to have a place where I didn’t have to worry about bills, clothes and food,” she said.  Childcare volunteers allowed her to attend classes, which taught Christina the biblical life skills she was lacking.

Back in the real world

When Christina left Wayne Hall, she found it difficult to thrive outside the structured environment.  She felt like she was being tested and wondered if she had really changed.  A major test came when she was laid off and faced eviction because her apartment building was sold.  She was at risk of being homeless again, and the easy thing would have been to return to Wayne Hall.

“I didn’t want my kids to go back to a shelter every time something fell through,” said Christina.  This time, she decided to trust God and look for another job.  Wayne Hall staff helped Christina with a resume, and she secured a part-time job.   Then she found a new apartment.

Things seemed to be going well, but there was one area of her life that Christina had not fully submitted to God:  her relationship with Carl.  He was the father of Christina’s youngest child and had remained in her life while she was at Wayne Hall.  Carl was supportive and acted like a father to all of her children.

Shamed by another pregnancy out of wedlock

In 2008, Christina became pregnant with her fourth child.  She knew that she was offending God by living with a man who wasn’t her husband, and she had a lingering feeling that something was blocking her relationship with God.

Christina felt ashamed to face the Alumni Group at Wayne Hall, because she didn’t want to be a bad example to the other women.  Christina shared her apprehension with Rita, who assured Christina of their love and encouraged her to attend a meeting.

Christina decided to attend one alumni meeting during her pregnancy.  Afterward, Rita told Christina that she didn’t want Jesus to come back and find her living in sin.  Rita encouraged Christina to change her situation by either ending her physical relationship with Carl or by getting married.

Rita’s words were no surprise to Christina.  “I knew that I wasn’t honoring God, and I felt a lot of guilt,” she said.

“It was a hard talk, but I had to do it,” said Rita.  “Afterward, I was afraid that I wouldn’t see Christina again.”  Imagine Rita’s surprise when Christina called to invite Rita to her wedding reception!

“My heart was just bursting with joy because Christina was honoring God,” said Rita.

A repentant heart and a married woman

Christina’s son, David, was born in August 2009, and she was married to Carl on December 8^th, 2009.

After repenting of her sinful lifestyle and getting married, Christina felt like a load had been lifted.  “I could finally breathe again,” she said.

The first day that Christina visited Wayne Hall as a married woman was a truly joyous occasion.  “The entire staff had been rooting for her,” said Rita.  “We love Christina, and we just wanted to see her honoring God.”

Christina said that it feels good to know that the staff at Wayne Hall cares about her beyond this life.  More than just helping her with housing and a job, they really care about her soul.

Life still isn’t perfect, but Christina is thankful for daily struggles because they keep her humble.  Christina’s life has beautifully come full circle.  She is back to volunteering at Wayne Hall as she did in her youth, only this time she has so much more to give.

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