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The
following is a current testimony from the parents of a student that graduated Harvest Time more than 6 years ago.
Like so many other families we were struggling
with a teenage daughter (16 going on 30). She was in trouble at school, home and was distancing herself from church. We had
sought counsel from secular sources as well as from within the church. Nothing was working, our frustrations grew and we were
helpless as we watched our daughter on a collision course with the results of many bad decisions. We were desperate and knew
that something had to be done immediately.
We looked into homes for girls but to our amazement they did not exist for teenagers, only for adult women. We somehow stumbled
upon Harvest Time Ministries (a God thing) and contacted Rev. Shawn immediately. After discussing our dilemma and immediate
need, Rev. Shawn sensed the urgency and we were able to get our daughter placed within the ministry within days which was
a miracle in itself. It was absolutely the hardest thing as parents we have ever done.
She was in the ministry a total of 18 months. During that time something amazing happened. Somewhere along the way Rev. Shawn
found our daughter, and our daughter found Christ! What a transformation inside and out. She was a new person with a new outlook
on life. She had a passion and fire for serving God.
As she returned home we were blessed that this passion did not leave. We continued to see daily the hard work and Godly things
imparted into her life from the ministry and Rev. Shawn. She has since married and blessed us with 4 wonderful grandchildren.
Rather than focusing on what she “was” I felt we should focus on what she “is” and all the sacrifices
made by Harvest Time Ministries to give life not only to our daughter but so many others.
Paraphrasing, Mathew 7:16 – 20 says that you will know someone by their fruits. Harvest Time Ministries is a producer
of good fruit. Our daughter and other graduates from this ministry are testimony to that fact.
I
cannot thank Rev. Shawn and all the staff at Harvest Time Ministries enough for all they did for our family and daughter.
I know they continue to pour themselves into the lives of so many young women and it’s a sacrifice of love and self
that we do not take lightly!
God bless you all and let us know when you’re up our way…
Sincerely,
The Wilsons
  My mom helped
me find a place to take Jessie as she was in a downward spiral of destruction. I was so afraid to tell her that we were
taking her to Harvest Time Ministries. We didn't tell her until the night before we left. My brother and I
had to stay up all night to make sure she didn't run away or hurt herself. I was scared to death about leaving my
daughter. After I met Rev Shawn and the staff, I knew it was the right thing to do. On September 27, 2004 we took
Jessie to HTM. After she had been there for the 18 month program, she told me that she wanted to stay to finish high
school. I was so happy to hear that even though we were so far away, I knew God had a plan for her. In June of
2007 Jessie graduated from high school and the ministry program. She had also decided to stay on for 1 year as an intern. In
August of 2008 she left Harvest Time to attend a Bible Training Center in Oklahoma. We are so proud of
her! Thanks again Harvest Time and may God bless you!
Rev Shawn and HTM,
I want thank you for all the care and guidance
you have given my daughter. I have seen great improvements with my daughter on her attitude toward life, and me.
She is no longer the rebellious girl who wanted to kill me and her dad in our sleep, or not care about what happened to herself.
Before finding Harvest Time, Alyssa had no regard for anything, she just didn't care. She thought school was stupid
and that she didn't need it. She was in and out of mental hospitals, on all kinds of medications, constantly in
trouble at school, until she was finally expelled for bringing a razor blade to school, which she was using to cut herself
on a regular basis. A few months ago, I realized that she had been drinking and smoking at my dad's house (which
assured me that I made the right choice in leaving her with you). She had no respect for me, and yelled at me frequently
to shut up. If I had not found Harvest Time when I did, I'm not sure where she (or even myself) would be at
this time. She was on a downward spiral and I couldn't pull her out. Now, she is a beautiful young lady,
with respect for herself and others, and doing great in school. The fact that she wants to stay at Harvest Time to
finish school and then intern with you is great. This will be a great step for her future. I always knew she was
a smart child and putting her mind to it she could do anything. I am glad that you, your staff, and her bond with God
have shown her that.
Thanks again,
Wendy
and Ronnie
"We found a place for my daughter so
she could learn how to be herself without any outside influence from anybody else. After
finding and talking to the staff at HTM, we felt that this was where she needed and wanted to be. After completing the 18 month program and graduating from high school and the ministry, my
daughter said she wanted to stay on and work on staff at HTM. After working
on staff for 2 years, she plans to attend Bible School. We are so
proud of her. Thank you, Rev Shawn and HTM for everything that you have done for my daughter.
This testimony was given after a student's first family
visit
"I would just like to thank you so
much for the wonderful weekend. I was so blessed. I never realized how much you pour into each and every girl.
The love and prayers that cover the girls really shows. I was so ready to bring my daughter home. Not because
she was ready, but because I missed her so much. When I saw her, I saw God's hand on her, and had to forget about that
deal.
She has been to many, many counselors
and psychologists since she was four. She has been through some very difficult times that no girl should ever have
to go through. Because of these things, she was very scared. No matter how much counseling she had,
or how much I or others told her we loved her, she could not believe it. If she was loved, how could the things that
happened to her ever happen. The things that she endured were not acts of love, but acts of evil set up to destroy God's
precious child.
For the last few years, we
have been walking on eggshells, not knowing from one day to the next how she would be that day. She was slipping more
and more into a deep depression and became a threat to herself. Her health was deteriorating. I was not able
to go to work without worrying about her, what she was doing, would she be okay when I got home, would I say or do something
that would set her off? How could I make her feel loved, valued, etc.? As a last resort, we agreed that she
should go to Harvest Time. Even her counselor was in agreement that it was time to do something different. We
were losing her. She was ready to go. She was tired of the torture her mind was putting her through.
When I saw her this weekend, she was glowing with
health. The dark circles were gone from under her eyes. I knew she was discovering life. She is beginning
to realize that she is loved. I believe that she has been given a second chance and a future. It is so hard
when you look at your child and have to worry if they will be there tomorrow, and know that they have given up on God
and life. It is so totally amazing to see that same child start to bloom and grow. Even now, as I write this I
am crying tears of love and joy. My daughter has a future and Harvest Time is helping her find her way. You
are helping her see the light and get past the pain. Thank you so much for all the sacrifices you make, for the
chance to change these girls' lives. God's hands are truly on Harvest Time. Thanks so much. I appreciate
all you do for these girls. Love and prayers" - a parent
Before our daughter came to Harvest Time Ministries,
she had tested positive for two major drugs. We were shocked. A host of other things came out after this.
We were desperate to find a place that could help the family and help her. We had to do something. We had
to take her out of the environment that she was in. That’s what brought us to Harvest Time. To be honest,
I was at my last straw, so to speak, before we got here. It was shortly after visiting her here, that our lives were
changed. It changed our daughter’s life; it changed our entire family’s life. What a difference Harvest
Time makes. Every visit just got better and better. I never had such a good relationship ever with my daughter as I
have today. Harvest Time has been a real miracle in our lives.
-Bart,
parent of a graduate
When I brought my daughter,
Courtney, to Harvest Time Ministries, there were a lot of mixed emotions at that time. We knew that we needed to have
her at a place where God’s presence was; and that is definitely at Harvest Time Ministries. I was very impressed
when I drove up to the facility. You feel the presence of God when you drive up on the premises. The girls here
are just normal girls that have very real problems. But, they are here to work out everything together.
Rev Shawn has been here through everything with us. She has helped us as a family, not just helping with Courtney, but
as a family unit. I would advise anyone that has a teen going through problems to consider Harvest Time Ministries. God
is here, and I know that this is where God wanted our daughter to be. I appreciate everything that Harvest Time Ministries
has done for us.
-Kim,
parent of a graduate
I am at a loss for words. I want to thank you, Rev Shawn, and everyone at Harvest Time for your love and wisdom for
Kristen and me. The past eighteen months went surprisingly quickly - but what changes you and God have provided.
I entrusted my precious, but rebellious, hateful, and hurting daughter to God and you. Trusting was difficult at first.
You have been tender and kind to both of us. Thank you for everything. I shall keep you and HTM in my prayers.
I'm thrilled that Kristen is staying to work as an intern! I look forward to continued visits. I'd go
into withdrawal if I missed your southern hospitality and christian fellowship.
Ellen, Parent of a graduate
HTM has meant
so much to me and my family... so much more than I ever expected it to. When I brought my daughter to Harvest Time
it was with a heart full of hope, but more than a little doubt. I prayed that God would work through Rev Shawn and reach my
daughter deep in her heart, and turn her from the way that she was headed... The best part of it is the real change
I see in my daughter. There is now a light in her heart that shines through her eyes and shows real happiness
for the first time since I've known her. Everyone in the family sees it and is affected by it. Rev Shawn also
kept telling the parents that we had tried and we had done the best we knew how to do. I really needed to hear
that. I needed to forgive myself just as much as my daughter needed to learn how precious she really is.
I said all of that to say this...
as parents, I think we all come here thinking that God will change our daughters, but He changes all of us, too. Rev
Shawn says that lots of folks say that their daughter's time at HTM is the best time they ever had with their daughter.
I believe it is the beginning of the best parts of our lives and I thank God for this ministry every day.
-Carolyn, parent of a graduate
For more testimonies
and letters to Rev Shawn from parents and students, visit our " Testimonies" Page.
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