TINA

I am 41 years old. When I came to Livingston seven months ago, I was in great despair. I had lost two of four children to death, was going through a divorce after twenty-five years, and am a recovering addict. I desperately wanted to make it, to start over, but didn't know how.

Living at the "safe house" here for women, I was trying to find a job, but no job skills and no references was making it hard! Continuously I prayed for direction. As I got back to the safe house one day after looking for work, there lay an application for the "River of Life Women's Life Skills Training Center" on the dining table. No one knew who brought it or how it got there, but it said it was for me. Later, I asked staff and friends, but still no one knew.

The next day I walked to the interview. I was accepted, free of charge!! God was about to change my life!!! Twelve weeks of intense change. I could never tell you ALL the things that God did in my heart in this one letter! Through others and lots of "rap sessions", He began an emotional healing in me. I was taught math and computer skills by very patient and kind teachers. I was taught on finances and how to budget. Not only was I taught how to dress for an interviews, but I was provided with the clothes needed.

God is an Awesome God!! I was taught about FORGIVNESS! Through the morning Bible studies I was taught about the key ingredient to life, Jesus Christ! Today, I have a resume and a job! I have a bank account! I am stable, and my walk with the Lord continues to deepen! The Lord has held me up through the strength of other women. The Lord has given me great favor and direction through the "River of Life". Today I feel like "Somebody"!!!!!!

ANNA

I am soon graduating from River of Life. I started RoL thinking I was going to get some computer training; WOW, was I in for a surprise! I’m walking around today with a lot more confidence in myself and a lot more self esteem. But most importantly, I am reading my Bible and understanding it so much more. My heart is so much more at peace now. I believed in God when I walked in the first day, but the bible studies we had at RoL really opened my eyes. I enjoy reading my Bible now. I know now that God does not expect us to be perfect and He is a forgiving God.

We had a make-up day where a Mary Kay consultant came in and showed us new ways to apply our make-up and we also had a day where we got our hair cut and styled. That was a special day. I’ve met some new friends that I know I will have for a lifetime. I’d like to thank all the volunteers for their time and friendship. I’m so glad my path and the River of Life crossed! My life is so much better now and I truly mean that!!

CHARLOTTE

I am a woman of about sixty years of age. I had lost my self-worth, had low self-esteem and felt not to be important to myself or to anyone else. But, I did find a wonderful place to recover all of the things I was missing! That place is right here in Livingston, Texas and is called River of Life Women’s Life Skills Training Center. They taught me how to get my self-worth back, how to approach life in a different way, to forgive myself and others, to look at myself with respect. Bible studies were one of the important aspects of the daily routine. I learned that without God in my life, things would go on the same way as before.

DOROTHY

I am a woman in my forties and found that the River of Life helped me in a lot of ways. It changed my life. I learned more about myself, the bible and the computer. I also learned how to forgive. Much love to everyone at the River of Life.

JULIE

Hello, I’m a graduate of River of Life. I would like to thank you for being there for me when I needed someone. Not only did they help me with computer, but I got my self-esteem and pride back. The bible study is great and the people there are good, friendly and God loving. They treat you with respect and like family. You will leave a different person than when you came, with a different outlook. Yes, you can have a wonderful time learning the bible, Yes, you can have a wonderful time learning the computer. We had fun and we also had a personal mentor to help us.

KATHY

I am a soon to be graduate of the River of Life Women’s Training Center. Let me begin by saying “thank you” to all the volunteers who helped me in this life changing experience. They have helped me not only get my self-esteem back but also back to where I need to be. At a time in my life when I needed direction, these ladies and God were there to help me. I was treated with respect and kindness along with the other women in my class. I have made new friends and they feel like family.

RoL offered special people to help teach us not only the bible and God’s word, but financial planning, math tutoring, self-esteem and computer/job training. They even provided me with a mentor who is one-on-one with me to help me through the rough days. She is a wonderful, caring, and God loving person who came into my life right when I needed a special friend.

I’m so happy to have been a part of this training and to see the changes not only in myself but in my fellow classmates. God can and does do wonders and loves me just as I am. We were also given make-overs and to see how a hair cut and the right clothes and make up could bring out the smiles in each of us was wonderful and inspiring.

Thank You God, for helping me find not only You again, but myself and some new friends.

PATTY

I want to express my thanks to the people of River of Life Women’s Life Skills Center. I originally went there just to take the computer classes they offer, but I came away with so much more than computer skills. Through interactive Bible study, self esteem class, financial management, stress management and personal mentoring, I have learned how to deal with many painful issues in my life. I am forever grateful to River of Life for the changes they helped me to make and the happiness they have brought into my life.

CAROL

River of Life is definitely a God-thing and until my involvement I’ve never in my life experienced God’s undeniable hands-on direction. My name is Carol and I am a volunteer teacher at River of Life. I was in Houston visiting friends and not even going to attend my little church on Sunday when my friend admitted on Saturday that she would like to drive to the country and attend church with me. That Sunday our minister made an announcement that Debby Schmidt would be coming later that week to talk about a new ministry in our area. My friend kept elbowing me and saying that’s right up your alley! I was not even going to be there to hear about this meeting, but God made sure I was there that day. Debby now admits that during that meeting, she knew God brought her to our church to connect with me. Imagine that, God wanted me!

Debby soon had me agreeing to be the Director of Computer Skills but the initial task of creating an 8 week curriculum, 2 hours a day, 5 days a week was overwhelming and intimidating for me. I’ve been a secretary for over 40 years but not a teacher. I had resource books but simply did not know where to start or how to proceed. One night I couldn't’t sleep with all this going through my mind and God simply directed me to get up now and we’ll do it together. That curriculum just flowed through my fingers and before I knew it, the first week was completed!

My husband, my soul mate, my best friend had recently been called home to our Lord and I was so lost and hurting. God brought me to River of Life because He knew I needed them more then they needed me. He gave me a reason to get up every morning looking forward to the day. He gave my mind a continual challenge in an ever-changing curriculum. He gave me caring and supportive women at the Center who warmed my heart and brought a smile back in my life. He gave me the opportunity to be a part of witnessing our ladies blossom, grow and have hope in their lives again. He gave me a new life through The River of Life!