I came from a middle-income, average dysfunctional – HA ...home. In my early years I was badgered mercilessly by my older brother, making me feel worthless, unlovable and not belonging. Both of my parents worked so there was not much communication. I basically fought to exist. I started hating my life, myself and the world in which I lived. To ease the pain and cope with my life, I turned easily to drugs, alcohol, sex and food.
I started working at 15 years old at a bakery where my boss sexually abused me. I left home to move in with a friend at 16. I was on a downhill slide until I was 25 years old. I wanted out of this dark life but didn''t know how to get out. I was high most days and nights—even while working.
After a break-up with a married man, I was so despondent – I knew I needed help. My parents had no idea – no clue of this deep pain of what I felt was a jaded life that I was in. They had no idea of how to help me. This was in 1980.
In July of that year, a cousin of mine invited me to a camp-fire with some people from Illinois. I was in Wisconsin on a remote island in the middle of Lake Michigan. I chose to go with her and drove into a large field with people laughing and playing guitars and singing. BUT....I saw no drugs or alcohol around. I totally did not belong here. I was dirt and these people were clean. Somehow I sensed that. A young man came to talk to me and I wanted nothing to do with him. He asked me point blank if I was a Christian. I told him that I was definitely NOT like him or these other people. I wanted out of there so we left. The next night there was a coffee house and the same cousin invited me to it. I went just to be with people and there was a fellow singing something about “going home”. I didn''t know why but I started crying and couldn''t stop. The fellow from the night before at the campfire came to me and asked if I wanted to go for a walk. I did go and as we walked, all he did was talk of his life before becoming a Christian, which was exactly like my life now. He said, “You know, being a Christian means no sex before marriage.” I was thrilled to hear that. It was my way out of the dark and dirty lifestyle I had found myself in for so long. Much more was talked about and when I got to my parents house where I was staying, up in my bed with a cup of coffee and a cigarette, I cried out to a God I didn''t even know existed. I asked him to forgive me and all the bad decisions I''d made in my life; and to please take over – to make decisions for me. Well, I actually felt a cleansing roll over me from my head to my toes. I knew something had happened but didn''t know what.
The next morning I told my parents I was going to try the church thing. They were fine with that.
At church I confirmed this decision to accept and follow Christ and I had NEVER felt so clean, so loved and such a belonging......I was changed! My life was different – in a very good way. I didn''t want to drink, smoke, do drugs indulge in an impure lifestyle any longer. All of those worldly desires had disappeared.
That was 35 years ago and I have NEVER regretted that decision. Once in a world filled with hate, despair and pain, now I was full of love, joy and hope.
God changed this hard heart for children into a loving one. I left my job to go to an international training for the Montessori Method of teaching. It is a gift he has given me to be used for his purposes. I''ve had my own little Montessori school in FL and WI. Now, here in Waco, TX, I have another small classroom available for morning or afternoon sessions, 3-6 year old children. If anyone is interested in having their child in a small, loving atmosphere filled with beauty & wonder, please contact me at gayhecker@yahoo.com or call 254-230-2157. TO GOD BE THE GLORY GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!!!