I GREW up in North Delta in a Christian family, and attended Sunday school at  Sunshine Ridge Baptist Church.  My parents split up when I was in grade 4.  

I stayed with my mom and no longer attended Sunday school, as my dad was the one who took us to church.  I graduated from Seaquam Secondary and worked at Lordco after graduation.  

During this time, I gave birth to a son. We lived on our own for four years. I had plans to move in with another couple, but these plans fell through and I had to move back home.  I had a nervous breakdown when I moved back with my mom, and had to take stress leave from work.

I then met some people who were using crystal meth, and I began living with a fellow who provided drugs to me.  We broke up after around a year and I began living on the street, meeting people who were also using. This lasted for about three years.

My mom took custody of my son when he was about six years old – which did not help my drug use. I stopped talking to God, as I was very angry with him regarding my son being taking away from me, and my life in general.

At times, I would come to get a meal at NightShift Street Ministries. There, I met Bob Toth. He would pray over me – and I found the people so warm and genuine.

I then met the head of NightShift, MaryAnne Connor, on the street about two years ago. When she would pray with me, she would always make me cry.  I visited NightShift for about three years. I found the street people to be honest, down to earth and not hypocritical.

I renewed my relationship with the Lord when I found I was pregnant; I gave birth to fraternal twins November 13, 2006.

The children were apprehended when they were about two weeks old. I began living with my husband’s parents at about that time. I hadn’t used drugs for about a year.

My husband and I had to prove to the Ministry that we could provide the proper care and a home for the twins, before they would be returned to us.  

The twins were returned to my husband and me when they were four months old. We now live in a fourplex, and my husband works full-time in construction.

I pray every day for my babies – and that I will soon have my complete family back with me. I pray that my mother will allow me to see son, and allow him to be part of our family.

I am really grateful to NightShift for the meals that were provided to me when I was pregnant, for my relationship with MaryAnne and Bob – and more importantly, my relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Sonia Taylor

My life before Jesus was empty, full of grey thoughts of hopes and dreams which were unattainable – trying to live for the moment, but staying in the past, constantly searching for the meaning of life.  

I always wanted to make a positive difference in someone’s life, even though mine sucked. I never gave up. Making people happy helped keep me going.  

Growing up, I had no friends. I was outgoing, but people felt jealous or threatened. I was never accepted.  

I am Italian, and went to a Catholic church. I was brought up with good morals and ethics, but never understood who Jesus was.  

I was never close to my family members, and didn’t get the support I needed. I just went through the motions. I went to Sunday school and attended youth groups.  

I didn’t start dating until I was 19 years of age. I was never a partier, so I never felt I was missing out on anything. I grew up and got married. I was married for four years and then got divorced.  

I fell into drugs, and travelled around like a gypsy, always searching for someone – a man – to save me. I got into one rotten relationship after another.

Finally, I hit rock bottom – below sea level. I fell in love with someone who didn’t love me back – and have been paying for it ever since.  

It has been two years since this relationship, and I ended up somehow on the streets – mostly because of drugs. I was there for three days – which were the most miserable three days of my life.  

I had nothing to live for. My family had given up on me, and there was no support from them. I lost all of my friends – even my drug friends – and had no place to live. Most of my belongings had been stolen, and all I had were the clothes I was wearing.

I was faced with a gun, with a single bullet in it. But something – or someone – did not let me pull the trigger. This was how I came to find the Lord.

I called my therapist, and stayed at my mom’s house for two day; but my mom and I didn’t get along, so I was going to be put in a shelter.  

Then I met a person who gave me an opportunity to go to Bible Fellowship Church – where I met MaryAnne Connor of NightShift.  We went to Tim Horton’s for coffee – and I was saved.  

I now have inner peace. I am calmer, and more patient, compassionate, honest and loyal – and not judgmental.  Most of all, I have faith .

I now reside in a beautiful one-bedroom suite and I work as a volunteer at NightShift Street Ministries. I attend Bible study five times per week, all over Surrey, from City Hall to our local church.

I love being a Christian. It is a healthy, pure place to be – and I can’t imagine life without Jesus.

June 2007