Where God Leads, I will Follow

“I was married for five years,” Marissa began. “It was emotionally abusive relationship, and it led me to do things that ultimately weren’t good. I had an affair, and when I came clean about it, my husband divorced me. After that, it felt like my whole world fell apart. I didn’t know what to do.”

On top of that heartbreak, Marissa was raising three children on her own. “I kept thinking, ‘How do I raise them now? How do I give them the stability they need?’ I didn’t have the answers, and it was overwhelming.”

In that place of desperation, she turned to God. “Once my world came apart, I told God, ‘Okay, this is Yours.’ Slowly, He started working.”

The turning point came through a simple conversation. “Patty with Family Promise told me about a program called House of Refuge. She explained what it was and mentioned that there were two different organizations with similar names—one in Mesa and another in Sunnyslope. When I learned about the Sunnyslope program and what it offered, I knew in my heart this was God’s calling for me. Every direction felt like a sign from Him.”

Marissa grew up knowing about Jesus, but this season deepened her faith. “My mom taught us about Jesus, and I always called myself a Christian. I knew who God was. But it wasn’t until I confessed my sins and accepted Him that I really felt like I could see Him working.”

When Marissa first arrived at House of Refuge Sunnyslope, her emotions were mixed.

“Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect when I got here,” she recalled. “I thought, ‘Okay, I’m safe,’ but the unknown was scary. It wasn’t like everything was suddenly okay. I wondered, ‘How long will this last? What’s next?’ But I knew I wanted my kids to see a different life—one where we could grow closer to God and have stability.”

The most helpful part of the program? “The community—the staff and other residents—was the biggest thing for me. They’ve become like family. I didn’t have much family to rely on, so that meant a lot. It’s not just me who feels supported—my kids do, too.”

Through Bible studies and classes, Marissa says her whole perspective changed. “The Bible studies have touched me and given me a new way of thinking. I used to do everything my own way, but now I think through God’s Word. I’ve grown so much in my relationship with Christ. And it’s changed me as a person too—I’ve become softer, more understanding, and learned a lot of humility.”

Her hopes for her children have become a driving force. “For so long, I didn’t know how to teach my kids about God, or even how to bring them to church. Now I can. They’ve seen the change in me, and that matters. I want them to grow up knowing who He is.”

Her proudest accomplishment so far is building a new life for her children. “Being able to find an apartment and get to that next step—that’s huge for me. For so long, I felt lost—like, how do I raise my kids? How do I bring them to church? But now, we’re on the right path. They’re even excited about their new school.”

Her goals now? “I want to finish my GED so I can get a better job. But for now, I’m focusing on what God has already done. This program changed me. It’s just changed me as a person and as a mom.”

Her advice to new moms coming in? “Trust God and trust the program,” Marissa said with a smile. “He’ll guide you through.”

Marissa has been at House of Refuge Sunnyslope for nearly two years and is preparing to graduate soon. She’s waiting to secure an apartment and looking ahead with confidence and faith.

"Looking back, I see how far God has brought me. I came in broken, and now I have hope for myself and for my kids. God's got a plan, and I am finally walking in it."