Developing Roots

Perimeter School developed roots in my heart that would not break in the years that followed.

By Jessica Amor, Perimeter School Alumna

My story is not your typical Perimeter School story. I entered the first grade with the fresh reality that my dad moved out and was not coming back. I felt alone and afraid that I was not going to be accepted during my school years, but little did I know, God was going to show up in big ways in my life.

Developing roots

Jesus sustained me through His love and through the Perimeter School covenant family. He planted seeds of His truth through Bible classes. He broke my heart for the poor and the needy through service projects. He proved His faithfulness every Christmas morning by breathing on the hearts of friends at Perimeter School to bless my mom with money so that we could have Christmas presents under the tree. Those eight years at Perimeter School developed roots in my heart that would not break in the years that followed.  

Running to things of the world

As I grew older, wounds from my childhood fostered a bitterness that I could not process. My relationship with my father was at its worst, and I felt broken and angry. I began to act out instead of seeking help and reconciliation. When I entered public high school, my heart was not prepared for the trials I would face. When we have hurt in our hearts, we can either run to the arms of the Father or we can run to the things of the world to temporary relieve the pain. Unless we allow the healing oil of heaven to come in and nourish, clean, and address the problem, the things of this world merely cover up our wounds.

When I was 16, I was taken advantage of, and I fell into a dark, vicious cycle of addiction, self-hatred, mental torment, self-harm, and ultimately post-traumatic stress disorder. I thought I was too far gone for God, too messy for Him to clean up, too imperfect. I lost sight of the fact that Jesus had already paid the price for EVERYTHING that I was going through. Although I strayed for six years, God never left me.

GOD NEVER LEFT ME

One cold October day, I was boiling vegetables, and I accidentally spilled the pan of boiling water on my foot. I was screaming out in agonizing pain saying, “God help me, God help me,” in hopes that my brother would hear me from upstairs. Yet as soon as I said, “Jesus save me,” I heard my brother running down the stairs to help me.

It was in that crucial moment that I realized Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father. His Spirit is alive, and He loves me no matter how messy I am. Jesus says in John 14:14, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” That divine encounter with Jesus began my journey of re-surrendering my life to Him.

receiving healing

Perimeter Church was gracious to support me as I went through a program called Abba House. There I was able to receive the healing God had been eager to give me after all my years of running. I was radically set free from addiction, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the chains of unforgiveness.

While I was in rehab, God spoke to me and told me I was going to be a missionary and that He was calling me to be a light in the darkest places. He showed me that I was going to be a vessel to break the chains of trafficking with the gospel, both in America and throughout the world.

seeing the gospel come alive

Since that day, I have seen the gospel come alive around me. I have seen Him heal the sick, grow out limbs, love the brokenhearted, and rescue the hurting. He is alive, and He is still working miracles! I have had the opportunity to go to Thailand for three months with Youth With A Mission, and for the past year, God has placed me to serve with a ministry called Take the City - Redeem in Columbus, Georgia, helping women escape drug addiction and trafficking.

Yet, the best gift He has given me is true connection to Him and growing love for Him. We all may not share the same story, but we all share the same Father. And He is in love with each of us.

Nothing can separate us from His love no matter what desert or wilderness we walk through. The desert was never the destination. God used Perimeter School to build a foundation in my life that kept me from the grips of death, and for this, I am so grateful.

May we remember the great things He has done for us and cling to the truth of who He is and who we are in the eyes of Jesus. Love is the most powerful gift He gives us. His love today is the same living waters that He offered to the woman at the well in John 4. His living water is the only thing we should thirst for. Ask for a drink, and He will give it to you. Pray for those that have walked away from God. It is His kindness that leads us to repentance. I am here today because of His kindness and because of the prayers of the Perimeter School covenant family.