U.S.E. Testimonial and Praise Report!

Hi Lynelle! My name is Marla and at one time, I considered myself a victim of rape.  Today, however, I am happier and healthier because I am following the USE principals that I found on your website. At first, I found your suggestions startling because I had never thought of the assault on me as anything other than rape. Today, one week after reading all of the comments here and finally praying with the members of USE in the email prayer list I have a new outlook. I would like to share with you my story.

Last year when I was 19 and away at college, living with a girlfriend, Stacy (not her real name) that I worked with I had an Unplanned Sexual Event. It while living with her that I came to know her fiancé Paul (not his real name). It was about 2 weeks after knowing them that I realized that I did not want to be there anymore. Every night when Paul would come over he and Stacy would get high and very abusive towards me. First, it started out with them calling me names me for not partying with them and then they were getting upset because I ignored them and locked myself in my room.

About a month into our lease, I came home after an evening class to find a large party going on in our apartment. Paul and Stacy were high and drunk as usual but this time there were about thirty more people there, all intoxicated. They had to have been partying all day to be in the condition they were.  There were people in every room of our small apartment but I was tired and not in the mood for an argument, so I just asked them to vacate my bedroom room and I locked the door and went to bed.  Apparently someone had either broken the lock or used the standard pass lock key and let themselves in but I awakened about an hour later to find Paul on top of me with Stacy and several others standing around my bed.  I will not go into the graphic details but I was assaulted by Paul, Stacy, and two other guys who were at the party. I was pinched, bitten, cursed at and endured just about every sexual encounter you can imagine for almost two hours.

When it was over, I just lay there shocked, praying and sobbing.  Paul and Stacy just laughed but finally left me alone. As I was cleaning myself up, I was consumed by anger and guilt for allowing to have happened to me. Over the next few months, until the lease was up and I could move out and far away from Stacy and Paul there were two other instances where I was Used. None as violent as the first thankfully (no biting or pinching) and eventually they just left me alone. 

Up until I found this website, I was still very angry with Stacy and Paul for what they did to me. Then when I read the USE page, it was as if a light went off in my head and I remembered my Pastor back home preaching on God’s plan for each of us. It was then that I accepted the USE plan. Even though the Lord didn’t bless me with a baby to love, he did teach me that I could be Used and grow from it spiritually and emotionally.

Earlier this week I was able to call Stacy and make amends. She and Paul have since broken up and she apologized for what happened though I told her it wasn’t necessary – it was all part of God’s plan.  We talked for over an hour on the phone and have made plans to go and see a movie after our midterms are over.  I have been blessed with a new friend in an old friend.

The principle of USE has taken away my anger, sadness, and frustration so I know it is divinely inspired.  I am probably happier than I have been in many years. The Lord sure works in mysterious ways! 

ps. I am 100% behind Sam Brownback and am starting a Sam brownback for President chapter at my college.

Thanks for letting me share my story.

Administrative note:

Marla, you are the one who should be thanked for sharing your powerful testimony with our readers. You are proof that U.S.E. is working! God love you and so do we!  We will be adding other beautiful testimonials this week as time permits.