Hannah’s Story

Hi my name is Hannah and I came to Adult & Teen Challenge MidSouth (ATCM) on November 10th 2014.
If you would have asked me six years ago if I would be where I am at today I would say ABSOLUTLEY NOT!!! I came to ATCM as a hot mess. I was angry, hurting, and tired of the lifestyle I was trapped in. I was in a hole that I had no idea how to get out of; I was too prideful to ask for help and God knew that. I started partying when I was in high school, starting out small like most, eventually escalating to distributing and shooting up heroin. There was no reason for me to end up on this path; I had a family who supported me and loved me more than I could have ever asked. I got caught up in the wrong crowd and I have taken responsibility for my own actions.

There was a sequence of events that led up to me coming to ATC. The Lord orchestrated major events all the way down to the tiniest details. The final straw was my car wreck on November 1st 2014. Initially I did not want to be at ATCM. I’m pretty sure every staff member thought I was going to leave, which we all find comical now considering God has moved in such a powerful way in my life. It took about six weeks for me to let go of my control and let the Lord take the reins. When I let go, I saw restoration between my dad and me which had not been there my entire life. I saw my family members draw closer to God. Most importantly, I found a relationship with my Heavenly Father.
I grew up in church but I was never taught that I could have an intimate relationship with God and that is what Abba desires most – relationship with his children. My relationship with God has grown over the years. I’ve had Hannah’s Story President, Adult & Teen Challenge MidSouth plenty of ups and downs, like most relationships. I have hit some very low points, such as the loss of my father, and some very high points, including graduating with my Masters in Public Health from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. There were points when I drifted from God because I was “too busy” but the Lord always held me close.
It was the environment and atmosphere at ATCM that allowed me to develop my relationship with Abba that has sustained and protected me over the years. Not only did I develop a relationship with The Father, I have friendships that I will have forever!
When the Lord restores He restores sevenfold! It is places such as ATCM that the Lord uses in ways that most people will never understand. I will always be thankful for ATCM and the atmosphere they provide for hurting people to be drawn closer to Jesus.