Humbled then Transformed
From THE LIGHT Nov.-Dec. 2005 Issue
Christine Denno finds redemption at Atlanta Union Mission
Christine Denno completed the Mission's recovery program in 1992.
The following story relates what Christine experienced while in the program at Atlanta
Union Mission and what she has been doing since - in her own words.
I lived at Atlanta Union Mission from November 1991 to August 1992. I was 49
years old when I came to the Mission and had experienced many tragedies that had brought
me to being hospitalized in August 1991, for severe clinical depression along with alcohol
and co-dependency issues.
After being released from the hospital in September, I stayed at a halfway house, but
they asked me to leave because I wasn't working my program. They gave me another
opportunity and that was to go to Atlanta Union Mission.
I'm now 63 years old and when I look back at my life, everything revolves either before
my Mission experience or after as my time there was truly life changing.
My miracles started the first morning during chapel service. I arrived the
afternoon before and as I drove there, I asked God for a Bible verse showing me that
I was in His will. I randomly opened the Bible to 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my
people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek and crave from
necessity my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their
sins and heal their land (Amplified Bible)."
At the chapel service, Rev. Turner from Antioch Baptist Church stepped into the pulpit
and said, "Ladies, I believe I have a scripture from the Lord for you. Please
open your Bibles to 2 Chronicles 7:14." I knew only God could have known that
Scripture was for me!
I came to the Mission in the Phase 3 program. I had my car and I was working
part-time at a department store. I thought I had humbled myself by coming to the
Mission, but at Christmas, Jesus showed me the true condition of my heart.
I went to my son's home for Christmas and I was so happy to see my grand-daughter.
Before dinner, my son poured a glass of wine for everyone to have a Christmas toast
and without thinking, I drank a small glass. I really didn't give it much thought
until I came back to the Mission that night and was told that all of the women who went
out for Christmas had to do a urine check. Then I remembered!
I went to bed worrying and wondering, "Could for ounces of wine show up in a
test?" I tossed and turned until 4 a.m. when finally I heard His still small
voice say, "You aren't asking the right question. The question is - why are you
still not working your program?" I realized I hadn't changed since I came to
the Mission and probably needed to start over in Phase I. I decided to tell my
counselor, Terry Freeman, and prepared to enter Phase I.
I did tell her and I was "staffed." She told me that I needed to leave
for 48 hours and really decide if I was serious about my recovery.
I knew I didn't have to return to the Mission. I had other options as to where to
live, but something (or rather Someone) came over me so strong that this was an open door
that I would never have again. I absolutely knew that I was at a crossroads and my
choice would seriously affect my life.
When I walked in the doors the second time on December 28, 1991, I knew what
"humble yourself" really meant. I started from the beginning in Phase I
and two weeks after I left on August 1, 1992, I graduated with my certificate.
I've been a chaplain at a five-county jail in Northwestern Ohio for eight years, and I
share my Mission experience in the Bible studies that I teach. I tell the women,
"I wouldn't take a million dollars to give up those nine months. I found a
deeper relationship with God and my soul and body were healed there."
I married a Pentecostal minister two years ago and we hope to Pastor a church soon.
I am also a published Christian writer.
My prayers will always be with the women living at My Sister's House and for the staff.
Thank you for being there to transform my life to beauty from ashes!
