Kiefer’s Story

ON Oct 12 2015, my life changed forever. I thought it was the end of the world but it was really a beginning to a new life! My parents loaded me up and sent me to the mountains, which turned out to be Adult & Teen Challenge MidSouth (Teen Challenge) in Chattanooga, TN. I was a 23-year-old girl from the
outskirts of Memphis lost in a very dark world.

In 2008, I lost my oldest brother at the same time I moved to a new school and moved in with my dad fulltime. My parents had been divorced since I was two so it was very hard. Losing my brother almost caused me to lose my own life to drugs.

By the grace of God the judge saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and gave me the chance to go to Teen Challenge after multiple overdoses and multiple trips to jail. I hit rock bottom and didn’t have anything else to do beside jail, death or Teen Challenge!

I’m glad I choose Teen Challenge. The day I walked into Teen Challenge, I was scared and didn’t know what was about to happen – but what happen was I walked into a place where people just loved on me and welcomed me with open arms and no judgement!

My problem wasn’t just a drug problem but it was really a heart problem – my heart was broken from losing my brother, grandmother and aunt. Then, right before entering Teen Challenge, I lost my best friend, which was the last string for me. I didn’t know how to cope with any of it!

(The counselors at) Teen Challenge showed me that God can heal my heart and renew my mind! I learn how important your relationship with the Lord is and that if you follow him and trust in him, he will make the path for you!

Now 5 years down the road, I married my awesome husband who is also a Teen Challenge graduate and we just had our beautiful daughter, Zadie! God has beyond blessed us in many ways and we couldn’t be more grateful for God and Teen Challenge. Both saved my life and the Lord gave me a second chance ! Every morning I wake up and thank God that I’m alive and sober and free by His grace! I have been able to give back to others and share my testimony to show that God is a miracle worker and you can change!

I once was a wild cowgirl now tamed by the word of the Lord!!