Testimony of Latanya Davis

“I started weeping uncontrollably"

Before coming to the Durham Rescue Mission on February 27, 2002, I was a conceited drug addict for 14 years. I didn’t think I needed any help. I had money to buy crack anytime I wanted it. I thought I had the world by the tail. I was happy and content to get high smoking crack.

Then my life took a turn. My social worker had been trying to get me to give up drugs for my children’s sake. I would stay clean for a while, then I would relapse and go back to smoking crack. My social worker was a patient woman and really tried to help me, but after many failures on my part, she finally gave up on me. She said she was going to court to close my case and terminate my parental rights. That meant I would have no part in my girls’ lives. My children would be put in a foster home, and I would not even know where they were and would not be able to have any contact with them. While my social worker was talking to me, I was actually high on crack and did not realize the impact of what she was saying to me. Later that night, I started weeping uncontrollably as I faced the fact that I was losing my children.

In my earlier efforts to get off drugs, I was seeing a counselor and she had told me about the program at the Durham Rescue Mission. I was considering going to the Mission, but on February 26, when the social worker dropped the bomb on me that I was loosing my rights to my children, I decided immediately to go to the Mission. The very next day, I caught the bus and headed straight to the Mission!

At the mission, I found a structured program that helped me get my life straightened out. I learned to take responsibility for my life. I did well in the computer clases and enjoyed learning how to use the computer, but the Bible classes really made a difference in my life. The staff at the women’s ministry not only taught me principles from the Word of God, but they showed me how to apply them to my life. I now see how my daily life is changed by reading and heeding the Word of God.

I graduated from the Durham Rescue Mission Program last fall. I now have my own apartment, I am employed full-time with J. C. Penney’s and, praise the Lord, I have full custody of my two daughters! I continue to attend church and study the word of God. My desire is to help others who are addicted to drugs to see if they can be "rescued". I really enjoy going back to the Mission to donate clothing for the women there. I encourage them to stay in the program and get the help they need. God changed my life and I know He can do the same for them!

As I look back on my life, I truly believe if I had not come to the mission, I would be dead or in prison. Who knows where my children would be or what they would be going through.

I would like to thank everyone who supports the Mission and want you to know your donations have helped me get back on my feet. Thank you for caring and sharing!

Note from Gail Mills:

One of our graduates, LaTanya Davis, came by the Mission for a visit. LaTanya sat down with one of our new residents who is battling drug addictions and depression because she is losing custody of her children - the same condition LaTanya was in 2 years ago when she came to the Mission.

It was amazing to watch these two “strangers” bond as they talked about the many things they had in common. LaTanya was able to encourage this new resident to stay in the program at the Mission and work on getting her life straightened out and trust God to work out the custody issue with social services.

By the time LaTanya left the mission, our new resident had hope that if she successfully completes our program she may have a chance to get her three children back. It is very powerful to have our graduates come back to the Mission and share how God has given them victory in their lives. It truly offers a ray of hope to others who are desperately seeking help!!