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programme > testimonials
Prior to the opening of the Auckland home, a number of New Zealand girls completed the
Mercy Ministries programme abroad. Here are their stories:
“Prior to entering the Mercy home, I had been struggling with an eating disorder and
depression. I had learnt quickly that there was nowhere for me to turn with the kind of
help and answers that I so desperately sought. Anti–depressants and temporary supervision
from friends and medical professionals couldn’t heal the enormous pain that was deep
within my heart.
Feeling incredibly disappointed in life and hating myself, I turned to Mercy. The staff at
Mercy were able to show me the way through my pain, with the everyday practical decisions
such as what a healthy amount of food to eat was and how to submit my life to God. As I
slowly opened my heart, God was able to do a miracle and heal the pain that I was carrying.
When I look in the mirror now, I no longer see a girl who is angry and bitter at life, I
no longer see the pain of my past and I no longer wish my life would end. Mercy has empowered
me with the tools I need to live a successful life. I know the choices I need to make on a
daily basis and how to depend on God.
I am excited about what the future holds and the opportunities that have come my way since
leaving Mercy. I have completed my degree in law and politics from the University of Auckland,
and have a great job working for the Auckland High Court.”
{ Bex, 2005 graduate }
“I came to Mercy after I had been under the care of the public mental health system in New
Zealand for several months, and feeling little hope for recovery from the diagnosis I had
been given over a number of years prior (PTSD, major depression and borderline personality
disorder).
A history of physical and emotional abuse had brought me to the point of suicide, when at
the end of 2002 I attempted suicide twice. At this time I was also self–harming – sometimes
quite seriously in order to deal with the emotional pain I was feeling at the time. The people
in my life had no idea what to do with me – I was shifted between accommodation arrangements,
including half–way houses and motels, often with a mental health nurse looking after me 24/7.
When I entered Mercy I was amazed by the love and care the staff showed me – right from the
first step into the home. Within quite a relatively short period of time, my spiritual life,
thinking, attitudes and behaviour were transformed – from being an angry, manipulative girl
to being a happy, confident young woman – someone who had hopes, dreams, desires and a will
to live. This change in my life, in the words of those who had known me prior to my entry into
the programme, was nothing short of incredible. I graduated from the programme in December,
2003 a new woman and free of the diagnostic labels which had been placed on me before.
I have since completed a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), and graduated in April 2008 in the top
5% of my college as a Massey Scholar. I was recently granted acceptance into the postgraduate
clinical psychology programme and am currently sitting my honours degree.
It has been one of the greatest joys in my life to continue to see the work of Mercy change
young women’s lives, and I regard them as being absolute champions for making the difficult
choice to face their past and their fears and overcome them.”
{ 2003 graduate }
“For me Mercy Ministries was a place where I felt safe to deal with the grief and pain I had
ignored for so long.
When I arrived at Mercy Ministries my life was totally controlled by an eating disorder. Unable
to deal with difficult circumstances of life I began to strive for a body image that I thought
would make me happy. Gradually I got caught up in the cycle of anorexia reaching a stage of
being hospitalised in a critical condition. Health professionals said I would never be totally
free and I began to think there was no hope for someone like me. Then I found out about Mercy
Ministries. The staff patiently helped me though the healing process.
From the moment I arrived I was so loved and valued, which helped me to see that my life was worth
living. At Mercy Ministries my life was restored in a way I never thought possible, and I now have
the tools to walk in freedom every single day.”
{ Grace, 2005 graduate }
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