the Esther Fund
If you listen to Dirty Little Secrets episode 91 which comes out in a few days, we interview Wendy who is the latest person who we have helped through the Esther Fund. She tells her story and gives us an update on here situation.
ESTHER FUND UPDATES
We have been blessed to be able to help a number of people from the adult industry. Here are a few updates from those that we can tell you about. Some of the people we have helped we have agreed to keep confidential.
Donny Pauling
Donny is in! He got accepted to the Londen Institute (Seminary) and started at the end of last year. Praise God! We need to raise some money to make this happen. We are trying to get the school to give us a deal but it looks like we will need $13,000 for a 24-month program.
You can read Donny's blog here. » donnysramblings.com
Tanya
Tanya, formerly known as porn star Jersey left porn a back in August of 2007. She received help with housing, moving expenses, a vehicle and CNA schooling expenses. She is currently finishing up school and looking forward to getting a job when she is out.
» Hear Tanya's story on the Dirty Little Secrets podcast #77.
Becca
Becca is doing great in the schooling program for web and graphic design.
Here is an update from Becca:
"I just moved back to Louisiana after being gone for 7 years. I lived in
L.A., Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, & for 6 scary months, Cleveland OH. I also
spent a lot of time in NYC.
I am currently going to school for web design and graphic design. I love it!
I love editing- photos, film, and I am even learning music editing.
I have a beautiful daughter. She was born on March 22nd, 2007 at 6:04pm. She
weighed 7lbs. 8oz. and was 21 1/4in. long. She is absolutely perfect!
She is such a good baby-she really only cries when she is hungry, and
already sleeps through the night! She is growing every day… she has
already changed so much, I can hardly believe it!"
Chris
Chris is doing pretty good. He feels alone in his new decision to leave porn and follow Christ.
In early April we had a young man named Chris contact us about the Esther Fund. Chris had been working in the in gay adult industry for a little over three years. Chris entered the porn world trying to make a little cash. What was going to be a quick hit turned into a three-year stint in the business, that took its toll. Chris came to XXXchurch by searching the Internet one night and came upon “Pete the Porno Puppet.” After watching Pete and thinking it was the craziest thing he had ever seen he poked around XXXchurch.com and found the Ester Fund.
His short tenure in the business left him depressed and looking for relief. He filled out the Esther Fund application in the hope that something would happen.
Here is a portion of his initial e-mail to XXXchurch.com:
"I hate myself. I hate porn. I have absolutely no joy in my life. My entire existence is a sham. I maintain a blog and I fabricate a healthy and happy persona, while behind closed doors I spend a majority of my life behind locked doors, shades drawn, lights off, crying most of the night, sleeping most of the day. I remember a time that I was happy. I used to have such a thirst for life. Now, during my darkest times I secretly wish it was all over. I feel worthless, dirty, ashamed, despondent, ugly, and tired. I feel like I have lost any semblance of what I used to be. The only thing that keeps me from doing something stupid is my family. My mom and dad would be devastated.
We worked with Chris for about a month. Pulling down old sites, talking about God and putting systems in place for his accountability Chris needed two things desperately from the Esther Fund. Insurance and a cash jump start for rent and basic needs for one month. He started a business out of his home to bring in money and set out to establish accountability with the team at XXXchurch. It’s been almost five months since Chris has left the business and is doing remarkably well. He is having a go with his business and is talking regularly with his accountability partners here at XXXchurch. Please pray for Chris."
» Hear Chris' story on the Dirty Little Secrets Podcast #70.
Julie
Julie, formerly known as porn star Sierra Sinn, left porn on June 20, 2007 and in just two months she was able to completely walk away from the porn industry, stop smoking pot. She found a new place to live and went out and got a great job at a prominent food store that offers full benefits! We were able to help her with living expenses and help get her on her feet.
» Hear Julie's story on the Dirty Little Secrets #71.
Michelle
Michelle, formerly known as Trinity was the first porn star we helped. We helped with her schooling, moving expenses, a vehicle and a lot of other things. Michelle and Josh married and had a baby boy last year and currently live in Indiana.
