Testimonials
Janelle Walker
Janelle is on Facebook and is keeping a record of days she has been drug free (as at 4/08/11, 6 months, 1 week and 4 days)
Janelle spent 8 weeks at Serenity House. This is an unusually long time to spend there but during the time the City Mission staff were able to connect with Janelle and help her embark on a new way of life.
Janelle became a Christian during her stay. Janette & Sam, two support workers at Serenity House, had the privilege of baptising her at a local church. Janelle lives independently now and is working as a volunteer at the local library, helping people with mental health issues.
Send some words to encourage Janelle on Facebook.
Mary Finds her “Mum & Dad” at Orana
Mary was referred to Orana House from the Launceston General Hospital after being treated for breast cancer. Her health was now stabilised and doctors were confident the cancer was removed and in a state of remission.
At first Mary was very shy and quite withdrawn. She stayed in her room most of the time apart from coming out for a smoke or a bite to eat. She would always greet you with a friendly, “Good Morning”, but smiles were not part of her nature. Mary looked a lot older than her records indicated; a woman of thirty six who looked more like a sixty year old.
Gradually, like a budding flower, Mary slowly began to open up and respond to the love, care and daily support offered by the staff at Orana House. Mary had very little in the way of family support. She had a younger sister living in a country town, but she was busy with a young family and contact was minimal. Mary could have lived with her sister but the house was not large enough to accommodate her.
Mary was content just to watch TV and occasionally look at pictures in a book. She was illiterate. She enjoyed her food and loved to eat brussel sprouts. She would
ask if there were brussel sprouts on the menu most days. Mary would sit at the dining room table in the same spot near the male caretaker each night. It was not unusual for Mary to off-load a piece of baked pumpkin or a roast potato, or a lamb chop onto his plate during the meal, provided she was not caught in the act.
Another female resident became friends with Mary and occasionally they would head off together into town. This was a highlight to her; she never wanted to go too far away from Orana House. She went with the caretakers to church a couple of times, it gave her a change of scenery and she liked the music and singing.
Mary lived at Orana House nearly two and a half years. She developed a close relationship with the caretakers and began to call them her “Mum and Dad”. It seemed quite odd at first because Mary was similar in age to them.
One day, Mary spoke to “Mum” (the female caretaker) about a lump that had come up under her arm and was quite uncomfortable. A trip to the doctor and a biopsy confirmed the cancer had returned. Mary went back into hospital for several periods of time to receive treatment, but the cancer was far too aggressive this time. Mary couldn’t wait to return “home” to Orana after another term in hospital. Orana House had become her home where she felt loved and supported.
Towards the end of Mary’s stay, she received a daily visit from a palliative care nurse to assist as her health continued to deteriorate. . Mary pleaded with mum caretaker not to call for an ambulance one day when things got really bad. “I’ll be alright”, she would say, but signs indicated that this was far from the truth. With what little energy she had remaining, Mary fought to stay at Orana House which made it difficult for the caretakers and other residents.
Steve found it tough going....but found his Lord in the process.
At the age of twelve I started drinking. I thought I knew it all and the world was at my feet. As I got into my teens I experimented further with other drugs and started doing criminal activities.
I had a serious motor vehicle accident at fifteen and received a compensation payment several years later.
I didn’t think that I was addicted to anything , I didn’t listen to what was being said to me from people who cared about me and soon I separated from my family.
I tried numerous times to stop, but just kept doing circles. It wasn’t until I started suffering from anxiety, paranoia and depression that I knew I had a big problem.
I was looking at prison and ultimately death and I was so sick of my life, I sought out my mum and sisters for support, this time I was serious about wanting to change.
I decided to co
mmence a rehabilitation program at Missiondale. It was hard, very hard, but I persisted and made a promise to myself never to give up.
It wasn’t until I opened up, took off the masks and faced my personal issues that I noticed real change starting to take place in my life. Being mindful of this helped me greatly with anxiety even though it took a while to get my medication sorted out. Group therapy, Work therapy and support from staff and residents provided important keys to my recovery .
I have become a Christian. Seeking a higher power has enabled me to find faith, hope, trust and self-worth, I now have His inner voice guiding me, I know I belong and am accepted because I know that Jesus died for me.
I am proud of my achievements so far, Missiondale is home for now, I am grateful for the program here.
I feel I have grown and matured so much, I feel free, I am me.