Hopelessly Trapped in Depression, Christie Found Hope in Christ!

Trapped in a continual downward spiral, suffering from depression, always numbed by medication, Christie felt hopeless. She was a single parent, working low paying jobs, second and third shifts at convenience stores. She didn't have time to spend with her baby, and childcare was hard to find.Although she had a good relationship with her father, she had never developed a healthy relationship with her mother. When her parents separated after she was grown, it was difficult for her to accept. Often with no place to live, she and her baby would bounce back and forth, sometimes staying with her dad, sometimes her mom. Having come from a family with no stability, she didn't have a clue as to how to provide a stable home for her own child.To cover her anger, bitterness, and hurt, she would take more and more prescription drugs to numb the pain. Her way of dealing with her life was to lock her heart up tight, to keep others from being able to reach her. Unfortunately, her heart grew numb to her own little girl.Like so many women trapped in this cycle, she thought a relationship with a man would help. Big mistake! He was mentally abusive and her problems only magnified. Like a cancer, her depression only continued to grow and consume her, eating away at her life. She tried going to doctors for counseling, but found that after each session she felt worse. She said they would give her more pills to take, but never really helped her deal with her anger and bitterness.Thankfully, she had started going to Calvary Baptist Church, in Greenville, NC. There she met some wonderful friends, like the Sutton Family, who began to show her Christ-like love. Even then, she held tightly to the reins of her heart, hardening herself to their kindness as a form of protection. They didn't give up. This wonderful church family continued to show her and her daughter the love of Christ. When she would share a need, they would help her with the need.After four years, during a revival service at her church, the barrier to Christie's heart was broken and she accepted the Lord as her personal Savior. For the first time in her life, she felt peace. She still held on to the unhealthy relationship with a man, but felt guilty and miserable when they were together. The church leaders counseled her to get out of this unhealthy relationship. In her heart, she knew she loved the Lord and that He loved her. She now knows she made the right decision to leave the relationship. During that past year, the Sutton Family had "adopted" Christie and Jessica into their family. Christie was finally learning how a family was meant to live, love, and relate. She had never known anyone who lived like the Bible instructs us to live, until she met the Sutton Family. Soon, Mrs. Sutton, affectionately know as "Momma" by Christie and Mema by Jessica, began to fill the void of a mother-daughter relationship that Christie had needed.Calvary Baptist has been a supporter of the Durham Rescue Mission for many years. The church family knew Christie could find the help she needed at the Good Samaritan Inn. Mrs. Sutton encouraged Christie to come. Still on painkillers and medications for depression, Christie finally agreed to give it a try. She arrived on July 28, 2005. Within one month, she was able to get off all her medications. She is learning to cope with her problems and become a godly mother to her precious little girl.When Christie first arrived, our staff noted that she looked very sad. She wouldn’t look people in the eye. With her head down, she would mumble responses when asked questions. Within a few months, Christie, with bright eyes, would hold her head up and speak clearly to everyone. Smiling, she shares how the Lord has helped her, and used Momma Sutton to get her to where she is today.When asked what has been the most helpful to her in her stay at the Good Samaritan Inn, Christie quickly responds, The Bible classes and Biblical counseling! Now I can deal with reality. I have friends and I know how to be a friend. What are her goals? Christie says that she is looking forward to graduating from the Victory Program on May 2, 2006. She would like to take advantage of the GlaxoSmithKline Victory Scholarship Endowment, given through the Durham Rescue Mission. She thinks she would like to attend Durham Technical Community College. Perhaps she will work in the medical field, in an office environment. She shared that she wanted to go back to Greenville, but feels the Lord is leading her to stay in Durham and further her education. She is excited to see what doors the Lord will open for her once she finishes her education!To all the donors who support the ministries of the Durham Rescue Mission, Christie wishes to say, Thank you! Without donors, this wouldn’t be possible.Christie Barfield May 2006