How Ronysha Found Her Voice Again at Hope Gardens

Ronysha was adopted at a young age—raised in a household where all she ever knew was emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.

She was often neglected, went without food, and was seldom allowed to play outside. Her siblings constantly reminded her that she wasn’t “real” family. She learned early that, at least at home, she had no voice and she did not matter.

Yet, she had a refuge. She went to church every Sunday and Wednesday, where she worshiped and sang to God. It was there one Sunday when someone spoke “a Word” over her. “Someday, God will give you a new home, a new family, and new friends, and you’ll be in the Word.” That promise kept her going.

Ronysha doesn’t know where she’d be if not for church. “I loved church,” she says. “I loved to be with God and to worship. In church, I had a voice, I had music, and I sang to God. I could hear God speak in the music: ‘My chains are gone, I’ve been set free/My God, my Savior has ransomed me/And like a flood His mercy reigns/Unending love/Amazing grace.’ When I sing, it’s not me singing, it’s God singing through me.”

Yet, away from church, she continued to struggle and was always searching for a place to belong. “I wanted a family. I just wanted to be with someone forever. I wanted to be in love and not alone,” she says.

When she finally met the father of her two children, he turned out to be another predator, just like everyone else she had known. In February 2022, it got so bad she fled to Union Rescue Mission and then to Hope Gardens.

“I thought, Now that I have kids, I have to do better,” she recalls. “Psalm 51:10-11 became my verses: ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.’”

She attended classes where she learned more about God, she learned how to study Scripture, and the Bible came alive to her. It was in worship and singing, however, where she found herself again. “When I sing, I know God is with me. He changes me, and I want You to change for Him. I love God so much.”

Recently, Ronysha recalled the Word that was spoken over her years earlier. “It hit me, I’m in God’s Word. I have my own place, I’m taken care of, I have a new family – my sisters in Christ. It all came true.”

Today, Ronysha is planning to go to seminary and eventually serve children through children’s ministry.

“I want to thank the donors, because their investment in me and my children has given us a life we never thought was possible.”

For 18 years, my favorite holiday at Union Rescue Mission has always been Thanksgiving. For me, that one day captures everything that URM is about—radical hospitality and love, just like at grandma’s house. Enjoying the best turkey meal, with all the trimmings, we can possibly prepare. And just like at grandma’s— the kind of family warmth and acceptance that encourages our guests on Skid Row to give life another try and to reconnect with God.

Every Thanksgiving, the smell of deep-fried turkeys wafts through the streets, and the excitement and anticipation builds as hundreds of people line up to celebrate the day with us. I’ve seen the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen and heard more “thank yous” than I count.

That’s why, every Thanksgiving, I give a special “thanks” to God for compassionate, caring, and generous friends like you. Your financial support makes that entire day possible, and the hours you volunteer create the kind of love and hospitality that truly changes lives.

For 18 years, people like you have shown up and modeled God’s love. You’ve made an eternal difference and you’ve transformed lives for eternity. Thank you!

God bless you,

Rev. Andy Bales, CEO