Augusta had felt disconnected from people for over a decade, ever since her family disowned her due to her legal troubles. Negative thoughts tormented her constantly, and she often lashed out at others as a result. Her struggles deepened after a tragic accident left her with a crushed heel, forcing her into joblessness, chronic pain, and homelessness on the streets of Frederick.
Yet today, Augusta’s heart overflows with joy because of the transformative power of God’s work in her life—a journey that you helped make possible.
Augusta’s path took a hopeful turn two years ago when she attended a support group meeting at the Alan P. Linton Shelter. During that meeting, Al Green encouraged participants to pursue change by seeking God. Having no prior experience with church or faith, Augusta didn’t know where to start. The only place she could think to turn was the Frederick Rescue Mission. When she came to the Mission for lunch, she met Outreach Director Teri Kwiatek, who took the time to listen and ask thoughtful questions to get to know her.
“Miss Teri started asking me about me, and I liked that! I didn’t talk to most people, but Miss Teri is a godly woman, and I knew she ain’t gonna hurt me.”
One day, Teri suggested Augusta read the book of Matthew. Curious, Augusta downloaded a Bible app on her phone and read the entire book in one sitting. “It just kept getting better and better! I realized what Jesus was talking about is real life! And what happened to Jesus—all the backstabbing and betrayal—happened to me too.” That day, Augusta decided to trust Jesus with her life. The next morning, she couldn’t wait to share her excitement with Teri.
“I ran up to her and said, ‘Miss Teri, my butt is going to heaven with you!'” Augusta laughed. From that point on, Teri continued to guide and encourage her, advising her to pray whenever anxious thoughts crept in.
“When all those thoughts came back into my head, I asked God to help me, and just like that, I was at peace! I had no more anxious thoughts! I couldn’t believe it worked!”
“Six months ago, I told God, ‘You need to show yourself to me. And He did! I can handle everything that happens on the streets now. I used to shred people apart verbally, but now I’m patient with them.”
With Teri’s help, Augusta is preparing to leave the streets behind and is working on a plan to transition into stable housing. Your support of the Frederick Rescue Mission makes life-changing transformations like Augusta’s possible every day. Thank you for giving hope and enabling new beginnings.
