Stephanie Anderson
The Rest of the Story…
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Most that have heard or seen Christian Michael's story know that he was diagnosed with Autism and God has miraculously saved him and given him an abundant life. Today I am thriving as a Montana advocate with the persecuted church, with the privilege of praying, sharing and writing about the needs of those experiencing tremendous and difficult situations. (persecution.org)
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It helps me to reflect, knowing that God is with us in dealing with trauma. In an outline here are some brief notes of my personal experience.
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Thank you God that you are with us.
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I ran away at a very young age after unspoken and unseen trauma occurred as a young child. I was exploited and trafficked starting at fourteen years old.
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​My attitude was angry, hateful and fearful. I caused harm and justified it because of the trauma I had suffered. My behavior was absurd, unpredictable and incomprehensible.
I recognize there were some pivotal turning points where God was doing what I could not do for myself.
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I ended up homeless in San Jose, California. I was found by a woman named Marika who took me to recovery meetings. I looked so much older than I was, but eventually they found out and sent me to Alateen. A found places to sleep and eventually a woman who was an architect let me sleep at her place. At night she took in lots of street kids and there were probably twenty of us in sleeping bags on her living room floor.
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Years later I realized that I moved 26 times (that I can remember) before I was 24 years old.
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Like most on the streets I didn’t know Jesus, but I knew the name – due to those that brought us food and told us there was a better life ahead. The name of Jesus releases power, whether we acknowledge it or not. How the encounter with God changes everything. How the mention of Jesus brings light into the darkness.... (Remind me to tell you about the man on the bus and SAM in Las Vegas.)
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​I started listening to Unshackled radio in Las Vegas in 1991.
On June 26, 1996 I was listening to a story that had identical details to my story - the woman's husband's name was John who was dealing drugs and never home and they had a toddler. (At the time I was married to a John who was dealing drugs, and my son was eighteen months old. **John left when Christian was very young, and we are praying for him.)
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I found a church that believed in recovery. I was confused with the fact they only met two days a week, when I was a sinner seven days a week. The people there helped me deal with rejection, fear, addictions and repent from damage I had caused as well as forgiving those who had harmed me.
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Today I am thriving as a believer in Jesus Christ who is in recovery. I want all that this new life has to offer.
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My life verse is : Jeremiah 29:11(personalized)
"I know the plans God has for me - plans to prosper and not harm me. Plans to give me hope and a future."
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I am thankful today that God’s Word is living and powerful and working in every situation. He is behind the scenes - just as the air that we breathe - is keeping us alive. Even while we go through difficult things, He is there every time - during everything.
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One of the first books I received at church was Tortured for Christ. Those who suffer seem to understand how fragile life is. America is part of the 4% of the world population who have the privilege to live without daily resistance. It seems most have forgotten how precious life is. 96% of the world population doesn't even have a point of reference for the waste of time, energy and resources we take for granted.
I volunteer in re-entry intervention, and volunteer in the prison with my husband. We believe that the same grace we were given should be given to those starting the journey of recovery. We believe that fear, resentments, dishonesty and self-centeredness/selfishness must be dealt with.
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For the newcomer I would say you need to know that you are powerless without God and the help of others. I strongly believe that everyone needs to TRUST GOD CLEAN HOUSE SERVE OTHERS :
The first step was explained to me this way: "You are going back to the streets, back to incarceration, back…. BUT THERE IS A SOLUTION." A spiritual reprieve for the next twenty four hours is available through Christ.
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As you progress on renewing your mind and A-B-C, you will see that GOD is doing for you what you cannot do for yourself.
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I would say to you - keep coming back – God is WORKING.
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Stephanie Anderson
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He has a plan for your life, and He is the only One with power to restore - or rewrite the damaged areas of life. Believe in Christ, the One He has sent and you will be saved from yourself!
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Blessings in Christ, Stephanie Anderson
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A more detailed version of my story is published here: https://criminal.media/surviving-life-more-than-trafficking
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The prayer at my Baptism was:
The Year of the Lord’s Favor
Is 61 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
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to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
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and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
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