Former Guest-Tate Claffey

To my faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, have you ever looked in the mirror and not recognized the person staring back at you? For many people in this world this is the existence of our lives. Struggling with addiction, homelessness, and isolation from love. Lost souls, crying out. Crying out for your help. I used to be one of these people. Lost in addiction, broken, and misunderstood. A lost soul until I found Jesus. It was in him that I found the person in the mirror. In him, I no longer saw myself as a stranger, but could finally see myself through God’s eyes. It was through him I found my worth. And only through him that I developed the will to live. My chains were broken. I no longer am a prisoner of addiction. At 27 years old, I found myself dying in the hospital with cirrhosis of the liver. I deserved death, but God refused to let me die. Through all the suicide attempts, God still refused to let me die. When I found myself completely alone, homeless and hopeless; I found myself crying out, begging, surrendering to God. Although I knew nothing of him, he came anyway for his lost sheep. For his broken daughter. Our father is faithful like this. Not only has God delivered me from my addiction, healed my body and soul but he has restored me to sanity. I am forever thankful for this. It is through Jesus that I have found a new way to live. I no longer chase worldly things to fill the void inside of me. Instead, I chase God! I would love to take my intimate relationship with My Lord and Savior to a deeper level. I believe that God has kept me alive for a reason and a purpose. Although my past has been trying and full of sorrow, it has left me with a spirit of compassion and love. I have been rewarded the gift from my heartache, to be able to meet, love and accept people where they’re at. I am using my testimony to reach others and help lead them to Jesus. I know now that this God’s will and purpose for me to help reach the lost and the broken. Every day I fall more and more in love with Jesus, and I want the whole world to know my love for Him. For them to know his love for themselves. I have dreams of doing long term mission work. To be the hands and feet of Jesus and a light unto others. It is taking a huge step out in faith/ But I trust God will make a way.