Hello, my name is Monica. I came and surrendered to the Lord after a tragedy in 2022. I lost my 25-year-old son, Lawrence, to suicide, and years before I had also lost my older brother, David, in the same way. Because I never truly healed from that pain, I carried the heavy burden of grief, and it affected my children as well.

I struggled deeply with depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts myself. After my son’s death to cope, I turned to alcohol, marijuana, prescription medication , isolation,relationships, church (my heart posture was not right) trying to numb the pain and escape reality. But no matter what I did, I couldn’t find real peace, and I knew that in my own strength, I could only go so far.

When I came to Teen Challenge, I was broken and hopeless—but it was there that I encountered Jesus in a life-changing way. He has become my peace, my comfort, and my strength. In Him, I have found hope and healing, and I believe through His power, I can break the generational strongholds in my family.

Now, my heart’s desire is to be a disciple of Christ, to share the same peace and hope that I have received, and to point others to Jesus—the light, the path, the way, and the truth that leads to salvation and eternal life