Our internship provides amazing opportunities for women to learn about biblical counseling and how to help other women who are struggling with life-dominating problems.
In this blog, I would like to introduce you to one of our wonderful interns: Annie! Annie came to us in July, 2014 from Hartsville, Tennessee. She heard about Vision of Hope through her mother, who had been seeking help for a young lady in their church. While searching through the website, she came across some information about Vision of Hope and our internship program. Knowing she would like to receive training in biblical counseling, Annie decided this was where God was leading her. One of the things Annie is most excited about is learning what it looks like to run a house like Vision of Hope and learning all that she can from our staff because she may one day like to start a ministry like this in her local church and community.
I have asked Annie to share her testimony, and she has graciously agreed to do so! Rejoice with me, as Annie shares her story of God’s pursuing love.
“I was raised in a Christian home where the gospel was taught every day. One of the ways it was taught was by my dad’s morning devotions with the family. One day when I was eight, he taught about Christ’s death on the cross and what that meant for the world. It was that morning that I came to understand that not only did Christ die for the sins of the world in general, but He also died for my sins in particular. My dad could see that I was visibly upset, and after devotions he pulled me aside and asked what was going through my mind. I shared with him my realization of my sin and he helped me see that Christ’s sacrifice required a response on my part, either to claim the forgiveness of sins that His death bought, or to reject it. That day I became a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17)! However, because I was so young, I didn’t fully understand God’s forgiveness. I didn’t understand why I was still sinning even though my life had been changed. Thankfully, my understanding of mercy grew as I matured in my walk with the Lord. He helped me to understand that I would continue to sin, but if I confessed my sins He would be faithful and just to forgive them.
Since that day God has been faithful to continue to sanctify me through people, circumstances, and through His Word and I look forward to becoming more like Christ through my year at Vision of Hope. My goal when I leave VOH is to help my church start a similar ministry in my hometown. I don’t know exactly what that will look like, but I’m trusting that God will give wisdom in the years to come.“
Praise the Lord for His gentle, pursuing love! We are grateful the Lord called Annie to Vision of Hope.
Stay tuned for our next intern introduction, and their story of redemption!
