Maddie could have been any one of our daughters. In high school, she sought refuge in drinking and drugs. Maddie managed to work two jobs and go to college, but her dad's death in 2017 tipped her into a reckless spiral that led to a meth and heroine addiction, a DUI, and a pregnancy. Maddie only stayed sober for a few weeks after her son was born. Leaving her new baby with her mom, she began living between hotels and houses where she used needles and sold drugs to support her new fentanyl habit. She was convinced that she was destined to live and die as a drug addict and accepted that fate.
In 2022, Maddie found herself pregnant again. Because her daughter was immediately placed in the NICU to detox from opiates, Child Protective Services (CPS) interceded. Even though she had no desire to get sober, Maddie went for treatment at Vera’s Sanctuary. It was there God met her. When NorthEast of the Well arrived at Bible study at Vera’s, Maddie sat under a blanket and dozed off. Afterwards, the NorthEast staff approached this girl with long red hair and asked for her prayer requests. Once the team learned about her daughter fighting for her life, the whole ministry began to pray for she and Maddie.
Soon, Maddie’s desires began to change. She moved to Prototypes, a mother-child treatment program, where she attended NorthEast Bible studies, and was picked up by NorthEast and brought on Monday nights to our Newport Gathering. “I couldn’t explain what I was feeling during worship and the peace I began to feel, but I could no longer deny that God was working in my life and restoring me,” Maddie says. “I was baptized by NorthEast over a year ago and built a stronger relationship with God. He has shown me over and over again the miracles He’s capable of. My CPS case with my daughter is closed and I have over two years of sobriety. Presently, I am enrolled in college and I’ve started a scholarship program at OC Dental Acadamy. I keep having amazing opportunities and people enter my life. I know now the God I serve, and I’m so grateful that He’s shown me a new and better way to live and in that I have a new identity with Christ. Today, I’m a part of my son’s life, I have full custody of my daughter, I have purpose, peace of mind, and a defense against the challenges life throws at me. NorthEast of the Well guided me to the answer I never knew I needed, and God has set me free.”
We hope Maddie’s story encourages you to keep praying for those you love!