Meet Lisa

"I was born in Decatur in 1967, into a family of high-functioning alcoholics. I started using drugs at age 12 and dropped out of high school my sophomore year. I got my GED and Certified Nurse Assistant license at 24.

In 1997 I got married for the first and only time, to Derek, who died in a car wreck in August 2000. Derek’s best friend, Russ from Springfield, has been a constant source of support for me ever since Derek died. I got Chance, a parvovirus puppy, soon after Derek died. I saved Chance’s life and he saved mine.

​Although I was always doing drugs, I maintained a home for Chance. After Chance died, I became homeless, bounced around, and got involved with an abusive partner.

I have bipolar disorder, COPD and PAD (peripheral artery disease). When my right leg was amputated in 2019, I should have gotten my prosthesis, but I had no structure in my life, no transportation, no permanent address, and no way to keep track of dates. Then I moved into God’s Shelter of Love in September. The stability and structure I received at God's Shelter of Love has been life-changing.

I was finally able to get a prosthesis and now I’m going to physical therapy to learn how to use it.
Structure is very important to someone with bipolar disorder. I also started a relationship with Jesus. I go to Tabernacle Baptist Church with Ruth, one of the house supervisors at God's Shelter of Love, and I love it there. My father says the Shelter is the best group of people I have been affiliated with, ever. Julie worked with Oxford House to get me an apartment there, where I will be moving soon.
Booty gets to go with me and I look forward to a new life of happiness, as long as I can stay on track. GSL has given me a good spiritual foundation and a lot of support. Please pray for me to be strong and safe."