M a ry ’s S o n g R e s t o r a t i o n
C e n t e r
f o r
W o m e n
September 2013
And Mary said, “I am bursting with God-news:I am dancing the song of my Savior-God. God took one look at me, and look what happened -I am the most fortunate woman on earth! Luke 1:46-47
Mary ’s Song R e s t o r a t i o n
C e n t e r
f o r
W o m e n
Many women are trapped in a world of hopelessness, held in the bondage of drug and alcohol addiction, resulting in an endless nightmare of low self esteem and self-destruction. Mary’s Song Restoration Center for Women offers them an opportunity to permanently change their lives by showing broken women love and a future full of hope. Mary’s Song is a non-profit organization that relies entirely on the generous donation, funding, and volunteer efforts of both individuals and organizations throughout our community. It is our belief that community involvement is essential to recovery and is necessary in providing services that address the specific needs of the communities involved. For more information you can call and speak with our director, Debra McNabb at 504-606-9684.
When Angels Move the Waters My Day with the Mary’s Song Girls By Pastor Parris Bailey "Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay sick a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath."John 5:2 Every Wednesday it's MY DAY to pick up the Mary’s Song girls for a outing. The New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture garden happens to be free every Wednesday so we find often ourselves studying art there or walking through the garden sharing scriptures with one another. On other days, I take the girls to my house which is close to Audubon Park for a breathtaking walk or swim in the pool. After four years of doing this, I can say that I never tire of Wednesdays nor the gospel of Jesus Christ! It is amazing to watch a complete transformation of the girls. Most come into the program full of fear, malnourished, or just dazed and confused. I usually let the girls "be" for the first couple of months because they tend to have "all their walls up". After all, it took a lifetime for them to hit the wall, but yet we remain hopeful and patient. As it takes a mighty deluge to cause a desert to bloom. It is the same with most of these girls. This particular day as we were all jumping into the pool, one girl begin to cry in thanksgiving because God touched her life in a powerful way. Then another girl who came into the program with a cane, was now in the pool testifying that she no longer needed the cane. That day, she learned to swim for the first time! While we were all floating in the pool I couldn't help but think of when Jesus went by and saw all kinds of "sick folk". Women with STD’s, mental illness, drug addiction, sorrow and regret were all around me. Thank God angels can move the waters and Christ comes to heal all of us! As we all begin to worship the Lord in the pool I knew Christ was doing what he does best- He comes to heal, deliver and set the captives free! My job is to facilitate His will in these girls lives. Four years later, many of the girls are now in our local congregation. I see them sitting with their families, holding down jobs in the area or even working for us. You will see them in our worship team, our cafe and bookstore. Yes, His song in us continues, in fact one of "our girls" has stayed on and leads a Celebrate Recovery class every week for anyone that is struggling. The question Jesus asked at the Pool of Bethesda was "WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE"? It takes courage to step forward and recognize that somewhere, somehow our life spun out of control and we need help. Is Mary’s Song just for drug addiction, court ordered people that have slipped thru the system? Of course not! Many of the girls have no "addiction issues", they have just "lost their way". After 12 months in phases 1 and 2 of the program, we encourage the girls to go to 3rd phase to reunite with their children and transition back into jobs and/or schooling. The girls can stay in 3rd phase until they are ready to step out on their own. On that particular Wednesday, I had invited a "church lady" to join us who just received a news that her cancer symptoms had returned. As she listened to all the girls that day, I couldn't hold back the tears...I could see 'the church lady" getting strengthened as she swam around with the other "sick folk". I laughed to myself! She had learned my secret of "one day with the Mary’s Song girls". ●
M a ry ’s
S o n g
P r od u c t s
Change your skin. Change a life.
Organic products infused with essential oils & herbal extracts. Packaged with love by the Mary’s Song Women. Face
Balms
Body
Facial Serum Facial Moisturizer Facial Exfoliant Facial Toner Eye Cream 3 in 1 Face Cream
Stress Balm Perfume Balm Lip Balm Body Balm Muscle Balm
Body Cream Body Lotion Bath Salts Muscle Gel Organic Soaps Body Spray
M a ry ’s
S o n g
You don’t have to go to a salon to improve your skin. You can have radiant healthy skin with Mary’s Song Organic Products at a Spa Party. So gather your girlfriends together and join us for some fun. You can even earn FREE products for hosting a party! Contact Debra or Pam
(504) 822-1341 maryssong@victoryfellowship.net
T E
S T I
M O
N I
E S
By Judy Mikell
I
came to Mary song in 2011 addicted to drugs, diagnosed with several mental disorders, broken and hopeless. I had hit my rock bottom. The doctor told me that I would never stop getting high unless I got on prescription psych drugs. Now in 2013, I can say how very wrong they were. I’ve been completely delivered from my addictions. I no longer suffer from bi-polar disorder or multiple personality disorder. I’m completely free from all of the torment I’d suffered from all my life. His love is what set me free. He not only changed me but restored my relationships with my parents and with my children. Once I completed the first 2 phases of the program I moved on to third phase where my 14 yr old daughter, Madison joined me after a few months. Madison had
been living with her dad for about 3 years and began having some problems of her own. She was ready to come back to me. At the time I didn’t see any way possible for that to happen but God had a plan. He went before me as he always does and set it up. Before I knew it he had made a way. She’s been here with me now for 10 months. Just as I had done, Madison stepped into the love of God with an eager willing heart. He immediately began to move in her life bringing healing and restoration to her. She has developed her very own relationship with the Lord desiring more of him. She is really on fire. She has also become active with the youth, which they have all welcomed her. She loves it here at Victory Fellowship!
Shortly after completing the 3rd phase, I was able to get a job with Victory’s Little Gators Learning Center. I’m now also a student at Bethesda Bible College where I’m earning my associates degree. I would have to say that today my life couldn’t be more complete. I never knew that life could be so good. What a great and mighty God, I so love to serve. •
Judy and her daughter, Madison
T E
S T I
M O
N I
E S
A Testimony from a Family Member
I
would like to share my testimony of how Mary's Song impacted my life. Although, I have never faced any type of addiction problems, I have witnessed people close to me who have - one of those people being my sister. I watched her fall apart and didn't know what to do. After going through 9 years of infertility I was finally pregnant with my miracle baby. I was happy because I was pregnant; but sad because my sister, my friend was here in body, but not here in mind and spirit to share this journey with me. I was 6 months along when I got a phone call. My sister was in trouble. It was the most horrific time in my life. After searching for a woman's restoration center we stumbled upon Mary's Song online. I called and spoke to Debra McNabb and reserved a bed. This was just a few days after /
Hurricane Isaac. They had no power and were not up and running yet. My dad and I decided to pass by the facility. At 10 pm in New Orleans with no power the place looked scary. I cried the remainder of the day and the next, but something kept telling me that everything was going to be ok. I'll never forget that Friday. I had no idea what the future would hold for my sister and her children but something just told me its going to be ok. After dropping her off, my dad called me. Something was strange. I asked if he was ok. He said, "I don't know what it was; but that place lifted my spirit." (my dad is not a religious man) Mary's Song changed my sister and effected our whole family! I never thought in a million years she would look forward to Wednesday and Sunday church!!! I never thought she could care about another per-
son on this earth. I never thought any of this was possible! But my sister is living proof that God is real and he is at work at Mary's Song! I want to thank Pastor Parris, Debra, Pam and Sam so much for loving and disciplining my sister. I can't truly begin to express my gratitude and love for you all on behalf of our family! We are forever grateful. God really is good !!!
T E
S T I
M O
N I
E S
I Choose Freedom Today!
F
reedom means so much more than our human minds can grasp. God has been revealing to me little by little what freedom truly means. A year ago I would have said that freedom meant to be able to do whatever I wanted without consequences or that freedom meant not needing pills to be able to function. I always thought if I could just get rid of this addiction problem, I would be free. However, there are still those underlying issues that caused the addiction problem in the first place that needed to be dealt with. But my definition goes much deeper than that now. God has shown me recently some areas of my life that I am still longing for freedom; fear and pride being at the very root of all of those things. I’ve been seeking for acceptance, approval & security in man or in things of this world to ultimately find peace and have a sense of self worth. God is the only way to true acceptance and that supernatural peace we long for. The marketing world tells us we won’t be happy until we get (X)----- (x) being this car, this house, this phone, this job, this spouse, these friends, these clothes, children etc. We all fall into this trap, especially when we’re looking to the left or the right for our security and not keeping our eyes fixed on the one true God who is Eternal, Everlasting and faithful to give us security through Christ. He is the only way to supernatural righteousness, peace and joy that we all yearn for in life. That we are able to tap into by the power of the Holy Spirit as believers and children of God. I know in my life I’ve always
By Colleen Turner wanted to fit in and be accepted and loved. Growing up I didn’t get those needs met in a healthy way-so I decided to start this never ending search for peace and happiness in people and things of this world. When I was let down over and over again, I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb my pain, soon the drugs became my peace and happiness that I settled for. As years went by that so called peace left me with much more pain and self destruction than I bargained for, causing complete and utter bondage to the law of sin and death. I was a slave to my poor choices, my anger, pride, fear and insecurities, which led to depression and more self destructive behavior. It was a vicious cycle. I was angry at God, myself and others! When I looked around to see that others seemed to have a better life and were successful it made me resentful and bitter. I started building walls to keep people from hurting me or allowing them to know I was miserable, wearing different masks to keep my secret of insecurity, and using my defense mechanisms to deal with this unfair hand I’d been dealt. But all of that is bondageit’s not just about being delivered from my addictions- it’s about being delivered from myself and acknowledging I need the One who created me- to save me from this sin and death and give me life and peace. God created me to be fully satisfied and fulfilled by Him and Him alone. I didn’t know what true freedom meant until God awakened me by His grace and revealed to me. The more I seek Him, the more He is found and the more I love Him and the
more His love is revealed to me. God knows true freedom comes through living the way He designed things to be, and when we step out of that way of living, living instead by our own desires, thinking our freedom comes from quenching those desires, we only hurt ourselves more. God is the one path to what life really is, what freedom really is, and when we choose to walk another path, we separate ourselves from Him. Bottom line, we have 2 choices: the freedom God offers or the cycle of slavery we’ve been living in. I choose freedom today! So instead of holding on to my fear, pride, anger, resentment or any of the lies I once believed that put me in this bondage in the first place or using defense mechanisms to deal with life (which are just cheap imitations of safety, peace and freedom) – I choose life and peace and true freedom!! Once you start being secure in who you are in Christyou stop being insecure in things of this world which causes you to sabotage to the life God created us to live in Him. I’ll never be the same- I have true freedom in Christ! Ps 119:32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.·
Colleen Turner
G
R A D U
A T
E S
Brandy Trosclair
Kelly Mosley
Mandy Jones
Kelly, Brandy, and Mandy have graduated for all three phases and are now employed in our community.
3
R D
P H
A S
E
Brittani Everhardt
2
N D
P H
A S
Rebecca Herb
Blayre Walker E
Check out our new website
Www.Marysong.net
A Full Gospel Christian Church Victory Fellowship 5708 Airline Drive Metairie, LA 70003
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 79 Metairie, LA 70002
Thank you to our donors We are very grateful to the many individuals and companies who have given so generously to assist Mary’s Song since its conception and throughout its infancy. Our most needed nourishment can come only through the prayer of intercession (James 5:16b) and we are daily seeing the results. Thank you and please fervently continue.
Donations For more information, please email Mary’s Song at maryssong@victoryfellowship.net or call 504-822-1341.
Please Print Clearly Name: _____________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________________ State: ___________ Zip:____________________________ Phone: ____________________________ Email: _____________________________________________________________
$
Method of Payment (make checks payable to Mary’s Song)
○ Credit Card: [Visa, MC, AmEx] Name on Card: ______________________________________ Card #: _____________________________________________ Signature: __________________________________________
Please check your desired area(s) of contribution:
○ Van ○ Prepare Meals ○ Hygiene Products ○ Clothing ○ Office Supplies ○ Paper Goods (plates/cups/napkins) ○ Other: ________________________