Rebecca grew up on a dairy farm in Ohio, the oldest of 5 siblings, went to college and obtained a degree in Physical Education. Her life took a turn for the worse however, and she found herself in a very bad situation. She was in Georgia when her life began to spiral out of control. A single mother, she was unable to pay the rent, needed car repairs, had no money, no support and nowhere to go. She said, “Every decision determines the future. I had a warped self-image. I tried to do right, but I had no anchor, no rock.” What Rebecca didn’t realize was that the decision she made to come to Virginia, was in reality a leading of the Holy Spirit.
Rebecca found shelter at the Roanoke YMCA and there was introduced to Roanoke Valley Hope Builders. Mary Evelyn Divers became her mentor in the fall of 2005 and she graduated from the program in the spring of 2006. Mary Evelyn loved and prayed for Rebecca as she completed her classes at RVHB. Rebecca now has a wonderful apartment, reliable vehicle and a job she loves. She is a church member and has friends and family that love her.
Rebecca spoke with 6 new RVHB participants at the beginning the 2008 Fall Session. As she shared her testimony she encouraged them by saying, “Friendships in Christ last forever.” Although she graduated in the spring of 2006, she has remained very connected with the ministry. Rebecca wants to share what the LORD has done for her throughout her life and especially through Roanoke Valley Hope Builders.
This summer Rebecca had the opportunity to share her gifts and talents on her first mission trip. She was part of a mission team that went to Standing Rock Indian Reservation. She said, “I heard about the mission trip and that they were going to be sewing and I thought I know how to sew!!” Rebecca’s teaching gifts and talents enabled her to teach the young girls and women not only how to sew but how to run and operate the machine.
Rebecca is a beautiful, articulate woman and she loves the LORD with all her heart, soul, mind and strength. Roanoke Valley Hope Builders was there for her when she needed someone to physically be the hands, feet, arms and mouth of Christ Jesus. Through her journey she has learned to get rid of resentment, bitterness, self-centeredness and learn to forgive. In Rebecca’s words, “God gives joy and peace. God gives us gifts and we are here for a purpose, to love and to serve.”
Rebecca grew up on a dairy farm in Ohio, the oldest of 5 siblings, went to college and obtained a degree in Physical Education. Her life took a turn for the worse however, and she found herself in a very bad situation. She was in Georgia when her life began to spiral out of control. A single mother, she was unable to pay the rent, needed car repairs, had no money, no support and nowhere to go. She said, “Every decision determines the future. I had a warped self-image. I tried to do right, but I had no anchor, no rock.” What Rebecca didn’t realize was that the decision she made to come to Virginia, was in reality a leading of the Holy Spirit.
This summer Rebecca had the opportunity to share her gifts and talents on her first mission trip. She was part of a mission team that went to Standing Rock Indian Reservation. She said, “I heard about the mission trip and that they were going to be sewing and I thought I know how to sew!!” Rebecca’s teaching gifts and talents enabled her to teach the young girls and women not only how to sew but how to run and operate the machine.