Debra Johnson

I grew up in poverty on Kelly Avenue, a very small street on the Northside of Dayton known for drugs and violence. It was shut down twice in my 21 years of living there and my family and I relocated both times temporarily. But for cheaper rent and grocery shopping we always went back. My addictions all started there. 

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My grandmother taught me how to pray at a very young age. And I always knew there was a God much greater than myself. But as addiction does, it got worse and worse. During my 20s I spent a lot of time at home and I did pray in prayer journals but I could never see those prayers coming to fruition. Now I know that was my faith. My faith in God answering me was damp and little.

 

It wasn't until I ended up homeless and completely lost that I knew I needed God more than anything. I was wandering up and down Xenia Ave. with my daughter Shyanne and one day she told me that a place called Sidewalk Soldiers had free meals and clothes. We went inside and were fed and given clean clothes and hygiene. After doing this a few times I began to see that they were God fearing people and I was certainly safe there. I needed rest and they allowed me to sleep on their couch.

 

Then I met Pastor Jeff at New Hope church and my life began to change a little at a time. I stumbled into an overcomers meeting one night after being out in the pouring rain looking for my next fix. And I sat there and listened. I know it wasn't my own will that walked me through those doors. That was when I realized I needed help. I didn't surrender that night but it was definitely coming. My heart was heavily burdened with guilt and loss of loved ones. But as I sat there I began to pray for the first time in many years.

 

I told God I was sorry and asked to be forgiven. I didn't know that I was already forgiven. A couple of months after that night I was sheltering in a torn up tent behind a dumpster on Xenia Avenue. Somehow I always stayed close to the church. I woke up one morning in February and went to get a cup of coffee from Sidewalk Soldiers so I could go get high. Little did I know God had another plan. One far greater than my own.

 

I was hungry, tired, and felt hopeless. Maelin grabbed me up at the curb, held me for what felt like forever and I cried for the first time in a really long time. She asked if I was ready and I wasn't sure what she meant. I just said yes. It wasn't until we were in the car and on the way that I realized my life was just saved. I started to panic a little bit when something came over me that said “Be still and know that I am God.” I did not hear it out loud but I felt it in my heart. Maelin dropped me off at a women's recovery center and my sober journey began.

 

My daughter Shyanne was still out there somewhere and I begged God to save her too. To help her see what he showed me. To protect her and guide her and lead her as well. Little did I know God would use me to do just that. I went every day to see her in trap houses and on the streets. To feed and clothe her and give her rest. I spent countless hours walking with her to her next fix, and although it hurt me so, I stayed beside her just as God had stayed by me. I walked along the paths she took and although they were dark and full of danger, I stayed. I continued to seek the Lord even and especially when I couldn’t see Him working.

 

The Lord has and continues to do wonderful works within me and my daughter. I am in church every week and as much as I can throughout the week when I am not working. I have grown in my faith and as a person. And my whole entire being is focused on being more Christ-like every single day. Although I am merely human and struggle with some things, I am no longer lost or afraid. I am no longer hungry and scared. I am no longer bound by the darkness in these streets. I am a child of God. And to see and realize those things everyday puts so much gratitude in my heart. I find God in everything. I seek him and know him. I am still growing and will be for the rest of my life. And God is using me to help others grow in their faith. My daughter is a living, breathing testimony of my faith. My whole life I've sat in the shadows and had prayer but no faith. Now I see that my prayers were answered.

 

I am proud to be the hands and feet of our Lord and Savior and I wouldn't change it for anything in this world. I am a blessed, living, breathing, walking testimony of what God can and will do for those who believe in him. I am happy to be working, saving money, moving forward in my recovery, building relationships, rebuilding relationships, and making friends into family.

I have a very great boyfriend I met in recovery and we have a healthy relationship with boundaries and accountability. I am a whole new person and it's of no doing of my own, it's all because of God.

 

He placed New Hope church right where I needed it. Not only in my life but on the street I needed saving from. Right in the heart of my chaos. The people of New Hope and Sidewalk Soldiers are my family and I don't know where I would be if God hadn't given them to me. They are truly people of God and I am grateful beyond words. I am proud to be a member of the best church in Dayton. And I am so glad God placed me here.