S's Story
"I, like many others, had spent years going to different counselors dealing with that moment's issues of life. All these years of going ended each time without resolving the true rooted problem. Little did I know that my childhood sexual abuse secrets would form my life. Abuse, not just sexual, had entered my life at a very young age. I was taught we are never to tell. I learned never to trust. No one to talk to. When introduced to the Heart and Soul Ministry program, I was skeptical, and figured I wouldn't learn anything because of all that unhealing I had spent 30 years doing. Through this program I met others that had the same, only different, experiences of life as I did. We spent months together, learning from each other. Not only did I learn so much about myself, but started to understand a lot of bottom line rooted issues that have controlled my life for so many years. Anger, bitterness, no hope, control, self-doubt, no understanding of why my life wasn't right. Failed relationships. My attitude began to change and I told myself that I was only going to get out of this what I put in. I worked hard. Real hard. Was it easy? No. But through this whole process God was with me, guiding me and giving me the strength. I could not have completed the program without Him. My life has been changed forever, and for the first time in my life I can honestly say that I love me, the true me, and now know that God has always loved me too.
My words of hope are: there are others that share the same story. Trust them, but more importantly, trust yourself. Be honest, work hard. The outcome is beautiful. YOU ARE WORTH IT!"

K's Story
"But you, O God, the Lord, deal with me for Your name's sake: because Your mercy is good, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me." Psalm 109:21-22
I love the name of the books, The Wounded Heart. I did find hope, and freedom from shame ... and direction for the future. Working through the book, and sharing this process with other wounded women as we trusted for Christ's healing, enabled me to recognize truths about my life, how I relate to others and handle life's challenges through the veil of my abuse. It was an empowering process that prepared me for a whole different way of looking at life, other people, and God. It was a huge step in my journey of healing and growing, which for any of us is a lifelong process.
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

J's Story
For 30 plus years I didn't even believe I had been sexually abused. Eventually God revealed to me that a 24 year old man having a physical and emotional relationship with a 12 year old child was indeed abuse, even if I willingly participated. I decided to do Wounded Heart with a trusted facilitator in 2015 because I knew I was still struggling with close relationships. As I examined my childhood, I realized how vulnerable I had been. I was a lonely, bewildered child, starving for affection and attention, and a sense of connection with another human being. I was 12 when a young family moved in next door. I would babysit for them and developed a crush on the young father. He would invite the neighborhood kids for overnight camp-outs in his yard while his wife stayed in the house with their 2 young children. And then one night the touching began. I froze, but did not protest. In the morning he asked me if I liked it. I said, "Yes". And then began a yearlong "relationship" that grew in emotional and physical intimacy. I felt special and the attention and affection felt like "water to my thirsty soul". I never felt coerced or threatened with secrecy. Somehow he just KNEW that I would not tell! I know that my Mom suspected something, but she never said anything, and I never told her. My Dad left our family that summer, but I didn't really miss him much. He was a stranger to me and our home was calmer when he was gone. Then the family next door moved to another town. I was devastated. But I also felt confused and ashamed. I thought there was something wrong with me for being involved in a relationship like that. I began to act out by skipping school, doing drugs, and becoming promiscuous. I felt desolate unless I had a boyfriend. I left home at 16 and eventually married at 24, but it was a disaster and ended soon after. I had given my life to Jesus as a child, but after the divorce I recommitted my life to Him, began to go to church, and eventually met my second husband  - a good and patient man chosen by God for me! Now in my 50's, Heart and Soul has helped me expose and deal with the damage that was done. Much healing has taken place, and it is an ongoing process. God is working to heal the broken, lonely, confused child I was. He has become the "water to my thirsty soul"."

Another survivor wrote:
"I strongly recommend  The Wounded Heart books for anyone who has experienced heart and soul pain from childhood sexual abuse. It does not matter how "minor" the incident(s) may be perceived by the victim or close loved ones, or how long ago it happened, NOTHING is minor or trivial about childhood sexual abuse in any way, shape or form. The facilitators are survivors who have experienced healing. They are therefore well equipped to walk alongside those who are on the journey of hope and healing."

J's Story
"I am 60 years old with a history of two failed marriages and a series of relationships that were bad for me, leaving scars on my heart and soul. I couldn't understand that part of me that kept leading me into such hurtful situations. I wanted to say, "No" but could not. It was only a few short years ago that a series of circumstances led me to realize that being sexually abused at a young age was the reason for my behavior. Becoming a part of a Heart and Soul group gave me the ability to come to terms with what happened to me as a young child and to understand who I had become. I would travel to another town to attend the group as I knew this issue had to be resolved and I wanted to end the pain. I felt safe to share the depths of my soul and found the healing I desperately needed."

A's Story
"Heart and Soul changed my life. I went from living in contempt, guilt and shame to being truly free for the first time in my adult life. God met with me throughout the course of this book, and walked alongside of me as I processed the pain from my childhood sexual abuse. He allowed me to see life with a fresh pair of eyes, to realize that the abuse I had suffered was not my fault, and more importantly, I learned that I deserve to be happy and loved. I highly recommend this book (and ministry) for anyone who is wanting to break free from the strongholds of sexual abuse in their life. I you are willing, you will be healed. I know I was!"