Love Freely Given

by

“I remember going to the Vilseck Hospitality House for the first time. Initially, I was scared that my past would mean that I was too broken of a person to fit in amongst everyone there. I assumed that everyone around me was perfect Christians who had their lives together and that I was a disaster. I was so wrong.”  

These were the opening words of a testimony given by a woman at a baptism held for her and two others who attend the ministry of Vilseck House Directors Matt and Tina Huisjen. Having served with Cadence since 1998, the Huisjens have welcomed many people into their home and count it a privilege to share the gospel and watch God transform lives through His love, as illustrated in the life of this woman.    

Growing up with an alcoholic mother and an absentee father, her childhood was characterized by chaos and instability. In an effort to find love and fill the void in her heart, she began to make choices that led to heartache and hopelessness.   

After hitting rock bottom, she began to attend the Huisjen’s ministry and encountered God:    

I was overwhelmed by the warmth and genuine love of the people there. They welcomed me with open arms, without judgment or condemnation. It was in that environment that I began to learn about the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. I heard stories of redemption and transformation, stories that resonated deeply with my own brokenness.   

Slowly, but surely, I started to understand that God’s love wasn’t something I had to earn; it was freely given. Jesus demonstrated this love for us by dying on the cross for our sins, offering us forgiveness. This was a wild concept for someone like me, who had always felt unworthy and unloved. As I continued to attend the Vilseck House and women’s Bible study, I began to see myself through God’s eyes-cherished and loved beyond measure.    

Today, my life is a testament to God’s grace and redemption. I have found peace and purpose that I never thought possible. My past no longer defines me; instead, it serves as a powerful testimony of God’s transformative power. I am living proof that no matter how far you’ve strayed away from him or how deep your pain, God’s love can reach you, heal you, and give you a new beginning.

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