My name is Jennifer G. I grew up in a Catholic family in the Philippines, where my grandmother was a devoted churchgoer. In my Catholic upbringing, I learned to see God as a punishing God who watched everything I did. Because of that understanding, I went through the motions of doing “Catholic things,” but I didn’t truly know Him. I only knew about Him.
At my lowest point, when I felt completely alone, I used alcohol to keep myself sane—or at least that was what I told myself. In reality, it was mostly insanity.
I fell into a deep depression, and the more I used substances, the more invisible I felt. Eventually, alcohol stopped working. I began living for the approval of others and seeking validation from the world. I became consumed with doing whatever I needed to do to get my next drink.
I felt defeated and didn’t know what to do. I believed I had no one and no light to focus on as I tried to find my way through the darkness.
In September 2023, I was reading a book titled Jesus Calling. On the back of the book, someone had written “Living Water for Women” in Glen Cove, along with Lisa Cohn’s name and telephone number.
Feeling desperate, I called.
Lisa told me that I would need to go to rehabilitation first, but afterward, I would be welcome to stay at the Living Water for Women sober living home. She explained that it was a Christian-based program. Honestly, I didn’t know what that meant at the time.
During the two years I lived at Living Water for Women, I learned that despite my flaws and imperfections, God loves me. I learned that when I let God into my life and acknowledged that He sent Jesus to die on the cross for me, I could be saved from my sins and receive a new eternal life.
Since coming to know Him, God has shown me that being a Christian is not simply about doing good works. Through Him, I have found fulfillment, hope, and joy.
I am not perfect, and I still make mistakes, but God loves me anyway. He loved me even at my lowest point, and He rescued me from myself and from eternal separation from Him.
The time I spent at Living Water for Women, the friendships I formed, and everything I learned there have equipped me to thrive during the next season of my life. I am learning to face my struggles by trusting God, not being afraid to ask for help, and reflecting His light outward into the world.
Living Water for Women gave me more than a safe place to live. It gave me a community, strengthened my faith, and helped prepare me for a new life.