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When I was teenager, I developed an addiction to methamphetamines. If my dad and I were sharing about Life Challenge together now (like we did in the early stages of the program) he would say, “Life Challenge is really all my fault”.

In the early 2000’s, addiction treatment options for women in our region were extremely limited. Throughout my journey of recovery, I went to several rehabilitation centers as far as California and ranging in cost from a couple thousand dollars to several thousand dollars for only three months of treatment.

My parents recognized the severity of the situation and that I needed more treatment than I had been receiving. In November of 2005, I became incarcerated and was at the end of my rope. Reluctantly, I was referred to a long-term Christ centered program in Georgia. I went into that program thinking I would come out the same person – just sober. But God had greater plans.

During my time in treatment, there was a local gathering in a hotel conference center to discuss the ever-growing methamphetamine crisis. My dad attended the meeting and shared about the impact of the program I was in, and the need for a program like it in our area. In the weeks and months ahead, a group of people who shared his vision began to gather and pray about starting a program called Life Challenge. This group of people eventually formed our Board of Directors.

In 2006 Life Challenge officially became a non-profit organization. In December of that same year, I graduated from my program in Georgia. Not long after, Life Challenge purchased a home, and began the preparation to open its doors for women just like me. For the first few years, we served as a referral service. I began to serve on staff during that time, allowing God to work through my story just as I had seen him work in my life. The model used at Life Challenge is based off of the program that helped transform my life in Georgia. In 2009 our first resident arrived, and completed the program 12 months later.

Looking back, I never would have thought that something as awesome as Life Challenge could have come from my struggle with substance abuse. But God has a way of taking our messes and using it for His glory. I’ve learned that His plans are greater than we ever expect. I did not simply become free from a life of addiction – everything about my life has been radically changed.