Testimonials

Testimony of Amanda Hansen, while in Costa Rica, February 16th, 2008

"Looking Back"- During my time here I have learned to love without emotionally attaching myself. There was a little girl at superstar who was the cutest thing ever. She told me that she was going to miss me so much. I showed her the love she had wanted or needed. She didn't get that from her parents. I was really touched by her words. I was amazed by how much I meant to her. I was brought to my knees with love. I haven't experienced that kind of love in so long, it made me realize how much more I have to offer my family and friends. I am going to love my family with more love than I have. I will be more open to trusting people and letting them love me more than I was before. Also, the book "Failing Forward" has put a new perspective on how I look at life.

End of Amanda's Testimonial

Testimony of the parents of Mark goode

Bob and I just wanted to say thank you for everything you are doing for our child Mark Goode.  From the time I first heard Wendy Riddles voice on the other end of the phone, me asking for help I knew God wanted my
child there.  Wendy counseled me through 2 and 1/2 months of worry about my child being out on the streets.  She told me you might not be the right place but just to pray about it and God will provide.  Hearing her
story inspired me.  She told me you would accept my child exactly where he was at, just like Christ accepts us.

The first words that came out of my child's mouth on the first phone call home was "I can't believe they
accepted me for me"  because we never wanted to accept him for who he
was.  You guys did and that has aloud him to open up to this program.
We saw a different kid this week.  He was a man in my eyes.  There was
never any awkward moments we just all loved on each other.  We never
really discussed any wrong doings on Marks part but defiantly on ours.
Mark brought it up several times that he was sorry and we told him that
we were glad this happened because God may have sent him here not just
for him and his family ,but maybe to help someone at the academy.  He
told us he loves helping others and he has become a leader.  We never
knew he was  a leader because we never aloud him to lead.  What a
blessing it was to see him in conversation with other parents telling
them why the new program was a good change for the academy.  We just
stood there in awe!  This is our child a mature adult, all without us
doing it. 

Mark thinks he's doing this himself but we know different.
You can't change without God and He is the one changing him.  He may not
realize that for several years, who knows, we just know that the seeds
you are planting there and the ones we spread at home someday will
blossom and God has great plans for him.  We only brought up God one
time during our stay there and Mark was talking about Zac and said "he
doesn't believe" and my husband Bob said, " I challenge you to ask God
to reveal Himself if He is real"  and Mark said "What if He hits me
right in the face?"  Those were the only words said about God but the
answer speaks for itself.  Mark truly loves everyone there.  There isn't
one that he says he doesn't like.  He told us," thank you for sending me
here."  I didn't think we would ever hear those words, but praise God to
Him be the glory.  Mark never once ask to break a rule or even give a
hint that he wanted too.  We are so proud of him. 

Thank you again for all your hard work this week was one of the best weeks of our lives.  We
are so excited and on fire to share this information to everyone we
know.  We are so proud of Mark and his community that is why we had to
video tape him because we are proud.  Wow, for a long time I didn't
think I would hear those words out of my mouth when it came to Mark.  We
always wondered why Mark had such a low self esteem.  We never told him
he wasn't good but we never told him he was good.  There is a big
difference in not saying it and showing it in our actions.  I always
thought that if we said" that was stupid" and not "you are stupid" there
was a difference.  I have learned there isn't a difference because the
kid hears "you are stupid"  any way. We are certainly changing the way
we parent at home with Marks sister and brother 13 and 11. 

Parenting is fun again and it is wonderful to watch them make bad and good choices
and learn from them.  We can't thank you enough.  We have a huge prayer
list praying for the staff and Mark everyday.  If you guys need anything
we have a lot of people that may be willing to donate things.  Let us
know.  We believe in what you are doing there.  God bless you

End of The Goode's Testimonial

Testimony of Brittney in Costa Rica, Jan 31th, 2008

Costa Rica for me has been an amazing experience so far. The kids here are outstanding. The looks on their faces when you hand them something as simple as a candy or school back pack, is something that has got me thinking about all of the things in life that people take for grated. People in America take so many things for granted, and are always wanting more, myself included. Seeing the children and how thankful they are of their parents and everyone around them, has made me realize that God has blessed my life and answered many prayers, by putting so many wonderful people in my life. Not materialistic things. I have parents that love me with all their being. I have an amazing guy in my life, that for the first time, makes me feel respected and safe, I have friends that can’t get enough of me, and I have staff members and directors at my Boarding School, that have taken the time out of their lives to help teenagers come to Christ. And for the first time in my life, I couldn’t ask for anything more. Materialistic things fade over time. But the love and bonds, that you build with the people that come into your life are things that will be there forever.

God has really been speaking to my heart throughout this trip, and I feel him tugging at my heart to say this:
If you are the kind of person that takes things for granted, and be honest, then take a good 10 minutes out of your day to sit down, and have some one-on-one time with yourself. Think about all of the unimportant things in life, the materialistic things, (cell phones, computers, televisions, etc.) Now, did these things just fall from the sky, or were these inventions, these temporary pleasures, all part of God’s plan, so that we could feel special, by rewarding ourselves with these things? Now think about the people in your life, did they grow from the ground, or were they put in your life because it was part of God’s plan, to make us feel loved, and protected by the people we love and care for most. Now, I’m praying that you’ll realize that everything you have in life right now, is a reward from God. He allowed you to have these things, because he loves us, and wants nothing but our happiness. But these rewards, have been taken for granted. People no longer realize that they are lucky to have a roof over their head, or clothes to put on their back. People, have replaced all of these unimportant things with God, allowing these things to be the center of our lives. If anything I’ve said has affected any of you, then just take another 5 minutes out of your day to thank our God, for allowing us to have everything we have, and thank Him for being a loving, compassionate Father.

Testimony of Malicia

When I first arrived at ALA the staff and peers helped me realize some problem that I had. These problems were drug/alcohol, manipulation, lying, authority problem, and inconsiderate to others. ALA didn't help me with any of these problems the only thing they did was bring me to Gods door so that he may help me. At Gods door I knocked and he let me in on January 23rd, God healed me of my selfishness and helped me everyday with my lying and manipulation. God also helped me realized that drugs and alcohol were used as an easy way out. One thing I had to realize is that taking the easy way out just hurt me more in the long run. I don't need drugs and alcohol in my life I lived fine without them for 4 months and that right there is proof that I can do it for the rest of my life.

My Authority problem has gotten much better. I never realized it until someone pointed it out. In trying to fix this problem, I had to submit to Authority. I still struggle with most of these problems but with Gods help I know I can do it! In order to change you need to have faith as the bible speaks about in Hebrew ch. 11 in conclusion I would like to thank my mom for loving me enough to send me here. I would also like to thank ALAs staff and positive peers for always being there for me. Thank You!

End of Malicia's Testimonial

Testimony of Anthony

Well my life never did start of to well. Back when I was two my mother was a heavy drug user I mean very heavy drug user she would use drugs all the time to take away the pain inside her. It hurts now to know that your mom left you when you were two for drugs. My father was in the navy at the time so I never really saw him.

Well back when my mom was doing drugs my grandparent's finally had enough of me and my older sister living that life and they came to come and pick us up. I kept on moving back and forth with my parents and grandparents. Finally when I was eight I moved to live with my grandparents for good. After that move I never did see my sister again.

The reason that I moved for good was because my father remarried a lady that I didn't get along with at the time. Eight through fifteen were the best seven years of my life. At the age of sixteen I became a heavy pot smoker just like my mother I was relying on drugs to help my pains inside. I knew that I was heading down the wrong path. I needed help but I wouldn't ask for it I would smoke pot.

If I wasn't to go to ALA I would be a drug user just like my mother. I would also have no faith in God. For the two months that I have been here at ALA I have finally felt the pains that I put my family through, the ones that loved me and cared for me the most in life. One night while attending ALA I cried out those pains the pains that I put my family through. I have also learned that I can be a cool kid without drugs. I have love for everyone on this earth the ones that I hate and love. Through this program God came to me in many different ways. I finally see why God is such a great God he is the one that loves and cares the most about everyone and me also.

My life now has changed a lot. God has taught me new meanings in life good and bad and also the way that I use the new meanings. One of my goals coming to ALA was to become a leader and good Christian. I know my life is headed down the right path now thanks to ALA and myself and God. I believe that God will be with me here on out. One other goal was to show my kindness and heart and emotions towards everyone that I love and hate. My biggest goal was to become a leader and with the help of God I did so and now I have accomplished that goal.

End of Anthony's Testimonial

Testimony of Olivia

Where do I start? I guess I might as well start off when all the real trouble started. It was the summer right before my junior year of high school (2003). I had just spent a week a church camp and during the week I was gone my parents moved to our new house. The house was beautiful, but the location wasn't and it just didn't feel like home to me. I told my parents this before the bought the house although they thought it was the best thing for us at the time. I guess it still just rubbed me the wrong way.

I ran upstairs to my new room and cried for two hours. I told myself there was no way this was going to work out. So I called up a friend of mine and asked her if I could stay the night. Within twenty minutes she showed up to my house and I told my parents I was going to stay with her that night. All I thought all we were going to do was watch movies all night. Then plans changed.

That happened to be the pattern for the next year and a half. I would always make plans and tell my parents, but somehow something better would always come up. Most of the times it would be something that I "thought" my parents wouldn't approve of so I wouldn't inform them of the changes. "Thought," was the key word.

There was times when after words I would tell them and they said, "I wish you just would of told us the changes." There was times when they weren't so happy with my decisions. So I basically based my judgments off the times they said "no."

That was another mistake. I started telling my parents I was going somewhere and really would go somewhere else. I would tell then I was going to do one thing and then do another. Once they started to tell me answers I didn't like, I would find out a way to make it happen. That was until they caught on to my pattern.

They caught me in a lie and then with that one lie it exposed many others. See the one thing they didn't know was that when they had found out about it I had already made a conscious decision to change. Honestly, the only way out of a lie without getting caught in it is saying another one. Until, the final moment comes and all of them are exposed.

By the time my parents found out about most of my lies I was an alcohol and drug abuser, sexually active, liar, manipulator, and trouble maker within my family. The only one that my parents weren't 100% sure on was the alcohol and drug abuser, but I'm pretty sure they had their suspicions.

Since I arrived at Abundant Life Academy I have not only learned what my problems, but I have also been working really hard on them. I can't say it was always easy because that would be very far from the truth. There was times when I wanted to give up, but I stuck it out.

Currently I am a Level 2 in the program and I plan on voting up really soon. My relationship with my parents is better now then it ever has been before. I have a little sister that I never really got along with, and now I am more excited then ever to see her. This program has made me realize how important your family is and never take them for granted.

I also am a Senior in high school and my plan is by the time I leave I will have completed my high school years and will have received my diploma. I don't plan on stopping my education there. I wish to go to college and maybe someday down the road own my own business just like my mom and dad. Although that is several years away, looking towards the future won't hurt any as long as I stay on track.

I still plan on strengthening my relationship with my family and well as my relationship with my Heavenly Father. They will both take work, but I never expected it to be easy. It's like the saying goes, "Life isn't always easy."

End of Olivia's Testimonial