Bethany* had just left an abusive marriage—for the third and final time. She had prayed earnestly for God to save their relationship, holding onto the promises they once made to each other. But after five long years marked by pain and instability, she knew it was time to walk away for good.
A stay-at-home mom of four, and now pregnant with her fifth child, Bethany left the only life she had known. She moved in with her parents and began a new chapter. With no income to support her family, she reached out to the County for help. That’s when she was connected with community resources—including Love INC Heartland.
When Bethany called us, we began a relationship by helping her meet basic needs for her family. We also invited her to join our Fresh Start Program. She started attending classes while our team lovingly cared for her children in childcare. Week after week, Bethany cried as she grieved the loss of the life she once dreamed of. While the program provided essentials like clothing, diapers, and food, she told us the greatest gift was being surrounded by people who reminded her that God has a plan—and she didn’t have to walk through this alone.
Through Fresh Start, Bethany began to realize that she wasn’t the only one. In her marriage, she had lived in secrecy, believing it wasn’t okay to reach out for help. The Fresh Start Program broke through that lie. What she truly needed was community—intentional community—where her family could begin to heal and thrive.
Bethany has started reading her Bible again. She’s praying more. She’s working hard to stop believing the lies about herself. Now, she’s sharing her story, hoping it gives other women the courage to step away from unsafe situations and know they are not alone. She understands now that unless someone has lived it, it’s hard to grasp the weight of such experiences. Today, she’s choosing to focus on what God is doing in her life and how she might help others walking a similar road.
Fresh Start is the opportunity Love INC Heartland provides for people to grow in practical skills while experiencing the power of a loving, Christ-centered community. Many who join the program have lived in what feels like a desert land. As they take classes and we build a relationship with them, their desert land begins to be tilled and a fertile soil is laid for the seed of the Gospel of Jesus to be planted. Our prayer at Love INC Heartland is for this seed of Jesus to germinate and bloom by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
“Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When He said this, He called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” —Luke 8:8 (NIV)
Will you support this program? A gift of $1,500 supports one participant for one year.
- Give a gift bit.ly/loveincfs
- Provide a meal at bit.ly/fsmealtrain
- Become a volunteer bit.ly/loveincvolunteer
*Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.