My name is Freedom and I have lived at Beerlahai Roi for about two months. When I first learned of this ministry, it was an answer to my prayers. The meaning of Beerlahai Roi is "You are the God who sees me."  I was living at a homeless shelter at the time. I had just renewed my relationship with God and was looking for an answer. I literally cried out to God in desperation because of the circumstances I was facing.

I had moved back to Springfield escaping an abusive relationship with the father of the child I am carrying along with an addiction to heroin and cocaine. I was evicted from my apartment and my two-year-old son was taken into custody because I dropped dirty with one of DCFS's drug screens. I had lost my job as a result of my abuse. My whole world was falling apart and I knew I had to get away from the environment and surroundings I created for myself. So, at six-and-one-half months pregnant, I left all my belongings and followed my inner self telling me to come back to Springfield. I had been at the shelter for one month and I started going back to church. At seven months I started to have contractions and went to the emergency room. And it hit me hard! What if I go into labor? Where will my child and I live? I started to cry and pray at the same time while talking to God quoting scripture to comfort myself. And God's spirit spoke to me saying "I will never leave you nor forsake you, fret not, I am your provider."

The next morning I placed a call to Contact Ministries and they told me about Beerlahai Roi. I came to the home and felt at ease and welcomed. They accepted me for who I was and the changes I was making -- not judging me for my past. Noiw I am attending an overcomers group at church and taking domestic violence counseling. I have also started outpatient at Gateway Foundation. But most importantly, I am closer to God than ever before and I have private meditation time with my Heavenly Father. He is helping me to press on with my life.

My name is Nicole and I have lived at Beerlahai Roi about two months. Although I haven't been been here very long, my stay has really effected my life. I recently accepted Jesus Christ into my heart. This is a very big step for me and one that did not come easily.

Both of my parents died before I was eight. They were both addicted to drugs and alcohol. I was raised by a combination of my grandparents, orphanages, and foster care. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 14. I was a very troubled teenager and began drinking ad using drugs to self-medicate. I was released from DCFS a year ago and was extremely unprepared to live on my own. I stayed at both Salvation Army and Helping Hands. I met a man at one of the shelters and thought I was in love. We quickly moved in together and started moving from town to town. He was a drug addict and he had just as many problems as me, but we decided to get engaged and thought we were ready to have a baby. We ended up in Tennessee and I realized I was turning into something I didn't like. I was homeless, unhappy, and thinking about ending my life. I called my family for help. I found out I was pregnant by the man I left a month after leaving my brother. I was so scared. I was going to have to go through this alone. But my worst fear was behaving like my mother. She continued to use drugs throughout both her pregnancies and I did not want that. Somehow I had managed to stop drinking and smoking.

Now I am so excited. In another two months I am going to have a beautiful baby boy. Although this pregnancy is not what I would have called ideal, it is a blessing. I know that God has a plan for me. I am going to continue to study my Bible and learn about Jesus. I still have a lot of growing to do as Christian but I am thankful that Beerlahai Roi Women's Ministries is here to help me.

       Tiffani is 21-years-old and has been in and out of foster care since the death of her mother when she was 13. She came to the maternity home with no place to live. "Living at the home has given me a family," Tiffani said. "It has brought people into my life that I can trust and talk to," she said. "It has helped me in my walk with Christ and has drawn me closer to Him."
       After her mom died, Tiffani strayed from the Lord after receiving Him as Saviour when she was 11. She has a young daughter that was adopted by her uncle and her baby girl Jasmine was born January 25th. "I am thankful for what God is doing in my life," Tiffani said. "I spend time with Him each day and I know He will help me with my baby." She plans to pursue a career in nursing when she leaves the maternity home.

      Amy came to the maternity home one month before she was due with her baby. "I am very thankful to have been at Beerlahai Roi," Amy said. "I was having at least one seizure a week and knew that when my baby was born, someone would be there to help me if needed. I have also made several new friends and my housemother helped me a lot after I moved in by showing me the way to rededicate my life to the Lord. She did this not only by showing me how, but also by showing me how to live. My beautiful daughter Abigail was born while at the home and she is the love of my life!"