My name is Chelsea and I'm 26 years old. Before coming to the Refuge Ranch, I was in a serious drug and alcohol addiction for 6 years. I was totally hopeless and ready to give up on life. I knew that if I kept on that path I would end up dead. I believed that I would never be free from drugs. I didn't like who I had become. I made a choice to turn my life over to God and came to the Ranch in February of 2009.

I can now say that I am not that person any longer. Through the power of God I have become someone I never thought I could be. I graduated from the program in February of 2010 and felt the Lord calling me to stay on for Servant Leadership Training. I just recently graduated from my second year and I am currently in the transition program here at the Ranch. I attend college at Indian River State and am working toward my degree in Human Services. It amazes me to think about the life I have now and how easily I could have made a choice to stay in my addiction. I thank God everyday for choosing me to be involved with the Ranch.

Chelsea

I am 25 years old and come from a dysfunctional single parent home and a seven year addiction to drugs. Sitting alone in a hotel room and feeling hopeless caused me to reach out for help. The Lord has brought me to The Refuge Ranch so that I can get my life right with my Savior and to become the mother to my 8 year old daughter He intended me to be.

I graduated the program on May 8, 2008 and believed the Lord was calling me to stay at The Ranch to be trained as an addiction recovery minister. I have completed Servant Leader Leadership Training, staff training and now have been on staff for a year. It is a blessing and privilege to give back what I have received.

Jenna

My name is Shelly, I am 42 years old and from Monroe, Georgia. I came to The Refuge Ranch nine months ago after struggling with addiction most of my life. My first addiction was food. Then in December of 1996, I had gastric bypass surgery to lose weight. I truly believed all my problems in life were due to my obesity. When life did not fall into place after losing weight, I turned to drugs and alcohol because I couldn't cope with the pain of feeling like I was a mistake. Since coming to the Ranch I have learned that the lies I believed about myself and God kept me in constant pain and seeking solace in drugs. I am learning to replace those lies with the truth of God's word-that I am loved and completely acceptable to Him because of Jesus. God has brought me out of my misery and into the light of His love.

Shelly