Celebrating Betty Y.

August 2020 Graduate

Congratulations Betty Y. for successfully completing the Transformations @ Gilgal program.  Many of you may remember Betty from Gilgal’s 2019 Blue Jean Gala where she and staff member Deborah Moore sang an opening song.  Read her personal testimony below, and join us in celebrating God’s faithfulness in her life. Change happens at Gilgal, and Betty is living proof!

Hi, my name is Betty Y. and I can’t believe this day is finally here – my graduation from Gilgal.

When I entered Gilgal this time last year, I was homeless on the streets of Atlanta and battling a long-term addiction to crack and alcohol.  My family was tired of my empty promises, and truthfully, I was tired of making them.  I really was looking for a change.

This was not my first recovery program, so I asked myself what made this one so different. Well, because I was ready, and I did it for me. All the other times it was for someone else. I used to try to please my family and have them thinking I wanted to change. Until I did this for myself, there was no difference. I am thankful that my family never gave up on me.

During my time at Gilgal, I’ve learned to see the world differently.  Physically, I see the trees, sky, rain, sun, moon, and the stars.  Of course, they were always there, but when I was getting high I didn’t notice them. Most of the time I didn’t even know if it was day or night.

From an emotional and spiritual sense, my view has also changed.  I’ve learned a lot about myself and I’ve processed through a lot of pain and emotions.  I am grateful for Gilgal. Here, I discovered how to love myself.  I feel good about my new life today. I just wished I had done this a long time ago.

I want to live for Jesus alone. Growing up, I spent so much time in church, I should know the bible front and back. But Gilgal has taught me that knowing “about” God is not the same as truly knowing Him.

Now I can honestly say I have a personal relationship with Him, and He’s all I think about.  At work, home, outside, inside, and even before I go to sleep. When I wake up every morning, God is the first thing on my mind and He is the first person I talk to by saying, “Good morning Lord. Thank you for waking me up in my right mind and thank you for keeping me all night long.”

After I leave Gilgal, I am moving to Tennessee to be near family.  I want to spend quality time with them and let them get to know the new me.  One of my biggest desires is to sing again. I want to get back involved with the church choir and let God use me to touch others with my voice. I hope also to get back to writing songs that bring glory to Him. I want to share my experience with young people and those struggling like me and show them how God brought me through.

Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way. Your kindness and support will never be forgotten.

Thank you to everyone who invested in Betty’s life while she was a resident.  Change Happens at Gilgal because of faithful people like you.