For a while, Rena seemed to have her life together. She was employed, attending college, and had a car. But under a façade of pride, Rena longed for a sense of wholeness she'd never known.

Growing up in an abusive family made it easy to put up with mistreatment from boyfriends later. "He would lock me in a trailer," Rena remembers of one boyfriend. "I thought these things were normal. I thought this was OK, because I didn't know any different."

The father of her four kids drank heavily and had a drug habit. Before long, Rena tried some—and became addicted. She sank deeper into drug dependence after she and her brother were in a car accident that left her brother dead.

But Rena went her own way. This time, her choices would send her to prison.

DESPERATE FOR HOPE

Rena's eyes brimmed with tears as she stepped onto the yard at Arizona State Prison Complex–Perryville. She thought of the little ones she had put up for adoption. She thought of how long she'd been shackled to addiction, living under a mask of pride when her real desire was for freedom, love, and hope. She was desperate for anything that might turn her life around.

Who's going to love a prisoner? Rena thought. Who would want me? Who would accept me?

When she heard about the Prison Fellowship Academy™, an intensive, biblically based life-transformation program, she eagerly applied and was accepted. Over several months, caring staff and volunteers patiently walked her through the program. Before each meeting, volunteers and students would worship God together through songs—one of Rena's favorite parts of the program.

RENA'S NEW BEGINNING

After two and a half years in prison, Rena was released to a Christian halfway house. She continued her recovery and met regularly with her mentor, Brenda, who guided her through the challenges of reentry. Brenda's daughter and son-in-law even gave Rena her first car.

"She's very responsible," shares Brenda. "… I'm just really proud of what she's become. She's very humble and trustworthy."