Christina is enrolled in a medical assistant program, which she’ll complete in April.

She’s focusing on helping others

Christina, 53, struggled with alcoholism most of her life, but it wasn’t until her husband passed away from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that her life truly began to spiral.

“I was his caretaker. He passed away right in front of me. It was a battle,” Christina said. “I watched him completely deteriorate. He was diagnosed in March and by September, he couldn’t feed himself or walk. He passed away the next February.”

Although Christina was sober while taking care of her husband, after his death, she began drinking again. Christina tried almost everything to get sober. “I went to AA, I was seeing an addictions specialist, I was put on medication, but nothing was working,” Christina said. She eventually lost the trailer she rented and lived in her truck.

“I was horribly depressed. I couldn’t even get out of my truck. I was paralyzed with grief, shame, and guilt. I had decided to kill myself; I was going to hang myself in a tree. But the next day when I went to do it, my truck wouldn’t start. I called the police on myself.”

After a stay at the hospital, Christina came to the Lighthouse. “Before, I never got to the root of my issues. I never truly allowed God into my heart and soul. I never gave up my life to Him because I didn’t think I deserved what Jesus died for. That that was for me, that I deserved salvation, deserved love.”

In February 2024, Christina graduated the Life Recovery Program and entered the Transitional Living Program. “It was when I graduated and became a Ministry Resident that the healing really started. I didn’t feel the pain because I was outside of myself. I was focused on helping others. … I started feeling better about myself.”

Christina is currently at Ventura Adult Continuing Education where she is enrolled in their medical assistant program. In April, she’ll complete the program and in May, will take her certification exam.

“This is how God is so awesome. He’s flipped all my pain and agony that I went through with my husband dying in front of my face. It was horrifying,” Christina said. “Now, with the knowledge and experience I have, I’m going to go into oncology. What I experienced, you can’t teach that in a book.”

Christina has also reconnected with her son. “With my drinking, my son stopped talking to me, but I’ve been talking to him since July, and we’ve even met in person. It’s been awesome.”

With a new lease on life, Christina wants to help others. She’s signed up for Joyce Meyer Ministries ‘Hand of Hope’, where she’ll travel as a medical assistant and teach people the Gospel. She’s also looking into backpack medicine programs, a type of homeless medical outreach. She wants those who are struggling to hear her story.

“I think that’s the best way. The Bible says we are overcomers by the word of our testimony, so I want people who’ve been where I’ve been to know they are loved, that they’re seen, and that there’s always hope.”

A week after she was interviewed, Christina received word that she was approved for a car, donated by Lighthouse community partner, Her Life Journey. The local organization has worked alongside the Lighthouse for years and has previously blessed residents with vehicles.

Christina is thrilled she will now see her dreams become reality. “I’m blown away by God’s blessings. He restores all that was lost. I will now be able to help out with the backpack ministry and (other outreaches). I can feed the homeless,” she said. “I kept thanking God in advance for the car. And He has provided.”