Haven Of Rest: A
Family Affair
Nancy
came to work for the Haven of Rest Ministries as the
assistant manager for the Anderson Thrift Store in 1997. Nancy’s past
included a life of addictions and a very troubled past. Nancy was always
the caregiver for her elderly parents, her two beautiful daughters
Ashley and Heather, and herself. In 2003, Nancy was divorced
after experiencing years of abuse from her husband.
Ashley
has been part of the Haven of Rest family since she was a young girl.
Starting as a volunteer Ashley devoted her free time to helping out with
her mother. Ashley has always been full of life and adventure. She now
works full time at the East Point Thrift Store while continuing her
education at Tri-County Technical College earning her degree in Criminal
Justice.
Gary
was an alcoholic for twenty-seven years and a crack
addict for five of those years. Gary spent many years in and out of jail
and was heading for total destruction. During this time, he learned of
his mother’s medical condition, lung cancer, and this took a toll on his
emotional state. Gary’s mother had been praying for her son and in doing
so had turned him over to the Lord completely. In June of 2004, Gary was
saved while in jail taking a Bible correspondence class. Upon his
release, God showed his family the ministry being done at the Haven of
Rest and worked miracles by providing a way for Gary to enter the program.
Brian
suffered from drug and alcohol addictions. After years off running from
God and living in this troubled life style, Brian was led to the Lord in
2000. He was a new Christian and did not have enough support to grow in
his new faith. When his father called asking him to come home in a time
of need, Brian agreed to go. Brian’s father passed away very suddenly and
this sent Brian into a complete downward spiral. At this point, he lost
his family, home, and everything he loved. Brian knew he was to the point
of no return and needed help to get his life back. In 2001, Brain came
to the Haven of Rest Ministries in search of help and what he found was
hope.
God’s Hand At Work
“And we know that all
things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the
called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
After graduating from the
Victory In Jesus program in 2002, Brian became a full time employee
with the Haven. Brian and Ashley met due to their common link to
the Haven of Rest and they developed a bonded friendship. As they
continued to be committed to this ministry, God blessed their lives by
bringing their relationship to another level. On June 16, 2007, Ashley
and Brian joined their lives together in marriage before God, their
families, and their fellow employees of the Haven. Sid Stewart the
Executive Director preformed the marriage ceremony.
While Gary was
involved in the programs at the Haven, he began to pray that God would
bring a godly woman into his life when the time was right and he would
pray for his future wife daily. Nancy was still struggling with
her past hurts, current burdens, and wanted nothing to do with men.
Nancy’s mother was dying and she learned that Gary’s grandmother had died
from the same illness. This common bond was shared and they were able to
lean on each other during a time of need. God was answering prayers by
sending them to each other and blessing their newfound friendship.
As this deep friendship
developed over time with phone calls alone they asked God to direct their
steps and keep them on His path, not their own. They were able to
continue under God’s blessings because they were faithful to follow His
leading, and not their worldly way. After Nancy’s mother passed away and
Gary graduated from the entire program, God led them from being best
friends to falling in love. Gary and Nancy were married on December 8,
2006 in front of their immediate family and close friends at the Haven.
God has shown His amazing grace and blessed their lives with a love and
commitment that they only dreamed of until finding each other.
Today
God taught Nancy
the power of His perfect timing by bringing Gary into her life
during the exact time when she needed him the most. After they married
Nancy, suffered tremendous medical emergency’s for the first year and a
half of their marriage. Gary was able to show Nancy love in a way she had
never known and to this day, he could not love her anymore than he already
does. During every situation and trial that they have endured, God has
been right there holding them in His love and they truly walk with Him
daily. If you ever have the pleasure of meeting Nancy and Gary, I know
you will be as blessed as I am to see how they bring glory to God’s name
in everything they do.
Brian
and Ashley are more in love today and their friendship is stronger
than ever. They both feel a deep connection to the Haven of Rest and the
friends they have made along this journey. Together they share in a
commitment to each other and to the Lords work being done within these
doors. Ashley will graduate from college in December of 2008 and she
feels very passionate about following God’s path for her career, wherever
that may keep her or lead her. No matter where the Lord directs their
lives, careers, and family Ashley and Brian will always be apart of our
Haven of Rest family. They are truly blessed that God chose this path for
their lives and that He used the Haven to bring them together.
