A Path to Redemption and Renewal
I n 2005, the seeds of transformation were planted as Gilgal took root, emerging as a sanctuary for homeless women grappling with the harrowing grip of drug and alcohol addiction. Val Cater, the visionary founder and executive director, heeded a divine call to shepherd these women towards a life free from destructive cycles, guiding them on a journey towards victorious living through the power of Jesus Christ. Together with her husband, they acquired property in south Atlanta, breathing new life into once-abandoned buildings that stood witness to drug activity and despair, transforming them into havens of healing and renewal—a testament to unwavering hope and redemption. At the heart of our ministry lies the profound mission of restoring homeless women burdened with addiction, offering them an opportunity to shed their old selves and embrace a new identity rooted in faith and spiritual rebirth. Drawing inspiration from Joshua 5:9, Val found resonance in the di- vine act of rolling away reproach, marking a symbolic place where burdens are lifted and lives are forever changed through the grace of Christ. The biblical narrative of Joshua leading the Israelites across the Jordan River into Canaan echoes within our treatment centers very essence, reflecting a parallel between the challenges faced by these women and the promise of God's unwavering hope and redemption. Val Cater draws poignant parallels between the journeys of the women under our care and the trib- ulations faced by the Israelites in the wilderness. Much like the Israelites who wandered in disbelief for forty years, succumbing to doubt and fear, these women too found themselves ensnared in the wilderness of addiction and despair, seeking solace in destructive lifestyles. But just as Joshua was called to lead his people to the Promised Land, so too do these women find solace and guidance at Gilgal—a place of hope and transformation. The story of Gilgal mirrors the biblical tenets of faith,
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540 Mobile Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30315
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