Regina Champion and her son Austin Adams
Losing a child to a drug overdose is a heartache that no parent ever dreams of facing. Parents expect to see their children living a full life of inexpressible joy that comes from new opportunities, lessons learned, milestones, and new adventures. Regina Champion has experienced this heartache, but despite her pain, she is truly counting it all as joy. You can see that joy and peace in the way she carries herself with grace and a light that shines from within her. Regina wears a locket around her neck as a reminder of her son Austin Adams. She said, “Sometimes, my locket gets hot and that’s a powerful reminder that my son is always with me.”
Austin was a past guest at Miracle Hill’s Rescue Mission in Cherokee County. He passed away in July of 2018, while battling an addiction to heroin and meth. Regina says, “Miracle Hill gave me hope, peace, comfort, and structure unlike other facilities. They have been one of the biggest blessings.” She said Austin began to experience life changes while at the rescue mission as a result of the devotional times, faith meetings, and scripture readings. The most transformative time, she said, was when he would walk in the pouring rain from the shelter to his church called Encounter in Gaffney S.C.
She said smiling, “My son loved to shine on stage as a choir member. I saw the transformation in him in the way he acted, dressed, praised, worshipped, and his intentionality with others.” She spoke of a time when Austin would send her devotionals encouraging her to hope, praise, and love better, and since then Regina has started sending daily devotional group text messages to her friends and family.
The congregation at Encounter Church has also given Regina and her family a glimpse of hope. Families from the church stop by her home weekly and love on her and her daughter. What a beautiful picture reflecting how important living together in authentic community is. Regina says that she never feels alone because she believes that her son is always standing right next to her when she’s worshipping. She adds, “Austin was a loving boy; the church has told me that Austin taught them how to love and live in community better with one another.” One of the church choir members said, “I miss seeing your son up there and seeing him smile. But, when I see you worshipping and smiling, I see your son up there too.”
Regina wants to remind parents who have a child fighting an addiction to have faith in Christ Jesus.
She gleamed with joy, “Not only did Miracle Hill Ministries help my son become a better man all around, they provided my family with counseling and unconditional love. This ministry gave me hope and peace. I knew I could sleep well at night knowing that my son was safe and constantly being loved on by the staff. They fed Austin and took him to work. I felt as if I had a family; not many places could ever compare.”
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) states, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpVm1gTHXVs[/embedyt]Post submitted by Meghan Salinas, Communications Intern at Miracle Hill Ministries. Meghan can be contacted at meghansalinas9719@gmail.com
