From Riches to Rags to Redeemed: Mary Clark’s Story of Redemption
Mary grew up in an affluent Golf Course community in Pebble Beach, CA. It appeared she had everything a child could want. But it was a terribly dysfunctional home. Both parents were alcoholics and she ended up being raised by her nanny. Eventually, her parents divorced and she moved with her Mom to Southern CA. She became pregnant with a man who wanted nothing to do with her or their son.
Her mother had moved to Ohio to be with family. Pregnant and alone, Mary moved to Ohio to stay with her Mom. After several troubled, abusive relationships, Mary now had two children and few options. Her drinking and drugs became excessive. Her life spiraled downhill and she ended up homeless.
Mary began feeling like she needed something more in her life. She found herself walking into church. She remembers the pastor asking, who among you are sick of the weirdness in your life? Her arms flew up. The pastor was talking directly to her. When an altar call was offered, she eagerly went forward and accepted Christ as her savior.
While she had accepted Christ, she had a hard time leaving the life she knew and getting away from an abusive relationship. At one low point, her boyfriend left her for dead on the streets. An officer was able to place her in an abusive women’s shelter. This terrible experience ended up being the best thing that could happen. She was later placed in a two year transitional home. This completely changed her life. She got sober, learned how to live independently, started a new career and got her children back.
Mary now runs her own successful business and has healthy relationships with friends and family. Her life has been redeemed and it’s become her personal mission to help others do the same. She is also on staff at Oasis House, helping women get their lives back. And if that’s not enough, she visits the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville to support, talk and pray with women there.
Mary believes with all her heart that without Christ, she wouldn’t be here.
If you are in a dark place and need hope, call SouthBrook at 937.435.9966. We have staff that can help you find that peace.
Or if you would like to support Oasis House there are 3 great choices:
Attend the Traffik Jam Music Festival August 21 at Hidden Valley Orchard. Pre Purchased Tickets available.
Attend Golf Scramble on Sept. 13th at Pipestone Golf Course.
go to their website to see how you can put your life into play.