You're listening to mornings with Eric and Bridget right here on Moody Radio 89.3.

You're listening to mornings with Eric and Bridget right here on Moody Radio 89.3.

Well, we know God is at work in so many lives. And as January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we thought it was important to hear how God can redeem us from even the unthinkable. And that's why our next guest, Jamie Cowhig, is in studio with us. She is the founder of Yana Recovery in Fort Lauderdale and does so much more in this space. Jamie, thank you so much for joining us.

Well, we know God is at work in so many lives. And as January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we thought it was important to hear how God can redeem us from even the unthinkable. And that's why our next guest, Jamie Cowhig, is in studio with us. She is the founder of Yana Recovery in Fort Lauderdale and does so much more in this space. Jamie, thank you so much for joining us.

Thank you for having me.

Thank you for having me.

We really want to hear a little bit of your story. It's it's not easy. You've done this for years, so I don't know if it ever gets easy, but it is important to know where you came from so we can know where the Lord has brought you. I guess. Tell us a little bit about your upbringing.

We really want to hear a little bit of your story. It's it's not easy. You've done this for years, so I don't know if it ever gets easy, but it is important to know where you came from so we can know where the Lord has brought you. I guess. Tell us a little bit about your upbringing.

So I was born to two teenage drug addicts. Um, they were 15 and 16 years old, and I was taken directly from the hospital into foster care, and then I was adopted by. Later on, I was adopted by parents that were very emotionally and verbally abusive. My adopted father was in the military and he did not get any help for his trauma, so he took out all of his trauma out on me. Um, so I learned how to isolate really young. I really grew up in a house where you didn't want. You couldn't talk, you couldn't feel, um, you know, he was in Vietnam, so he very much has that old mentality where going to therapy is for the weak. Um, so I was sexually abused, um, when I was seven and 11, and my parents didn't believe either incident. So again, I learned how to isolate really young, and I was looking for anything I possibly could to numb the pain of what I was feeling. Um, I started attempting suicide when I was 13 years old. Started cutting as well. Um, and then I got into drugs and alcohol. Um, it was anything that could numb what I was feeling. I didn't drink and do drugs to get high. I drank and do. And did drugs to numb the pain. Um. And so I ended up getting. I met my birth mother when I was 19. Um, which is one of those experiences, like you see on TV that are very emotional. Um, but I learned a lot about my adoption and a lot of the lies that came with it. Um, but I didn't know really how to deal with the things that I was learning. Um, and I was also a runner. So I would run every, you know, chance that I got so I wouldn't have to, um, face what I was feeling or face the consequences or anything like that. So, um, I ran to Kentucky. I'm originally from Illinois. Um, to go to school, and I thought I had just got out of a really abusive relationship. Physically abusive relationship. And I moved to Kentucky thinking that I was not going to get into another relationship. Um, but after a week after I was there, I ended up meeting my ex-husband. Um, we were together for quite a while. He was, um. Or. He is from Brazil. And, um, you know, that was that was different. Being with somebody from another country. And, um, we had to go through a lot of immigration issues, and that was really difficult for, you know, a young couple to deal with. We were only 19. So, um, and we moved to Miami. And we both ended up getting into further into drugs and alcohol. Um, we both started partying a lot. But we partied differently. And we just started going our separate ways. And when we were separated is when I met my trafficker. Um, you know, I was in a very vulnerable spot, and I had I mean, I was I grew up in a very vulnerable spot. Anyway, um, with being in foster care and just not knowing, having any identity. Um, and, you know, traffickers prey on the vulnerable and on the weak. And, um, I actually met this guy through a friend who I thought was a friend. Um, and he groomed me for about a year. He gave me all the drugs that I wanted. Um, he also gave me all the material things that I wanted. And I had no idea that what was going to happen, what was going to start happening was trafficking, um, or even the grooming part.

So I was born to two teenage drug addicts. Um, they were 15 and 16 years old, and I was taken directly from the hospital into foster care, and then I was adopted by. Later on, I was adopted by parents that were very emotionally and verbally abusive. My adopted father was in the military and he did not get any help for his trauma, so he took out all of his trauma out on me. Um, so I learned how to isolate really young. I really grew up in a house where you didn't want. You couldn't talk, you couldn't feel, um, you know, he was in Vietnam, so he very much has that old mentality where going to therapy is for the weak. Um, so I was sexually abused, um, when I was seven and 11, and my parents didn't believe either incident. So again, I learned how to isolate really young, and I was looking for anything I possibly could to numb the pain of what I was feeling. Um, I started attempting suicide when I was 13 years old. Started cutting as well. Um, and then I got into drugs and alcohol. Um, it was anything that could numb what I was feeling. I didn't drink and do drugs to get high. I drank and do. And did drugs to numb the pain. Um. And so I ended up getting. I met my birth mother when I was 19. Um, which is one of those experiences, like you see on TV that are very emotional. Um, but I learned a lot about my adoption and a lot of the lies that came with it. Um, but I didn't know really how to deal with the things that I was learning. Um, and I was also a runner. So I would run every, you know, chance that I got so I wouldn't have to, um, face what I was feeling or face the consequences or anything like that. So, um, I ran to Kentucky. I'm originally from Illinois. Um, to go to school, and I thought I had just got out of a really abusive relationship. Physically abusive relationship. And I moved to Kentucky thinking that I was not going to get into another relationship. Um, but after a week after I was there, I ended up meeting my ex-husband. Um, we were together for quite a while. He was, um. Or. He is from Brazil. And, um, you know, that was that was different. Being with somebody from another country. And, um, we had to go through a lot of immigration issues, and that was really difficult for, you know, a young couple to deal with. We were only 19. So, um, and we moved to Miami. And we both ended up getting into further into drugs and alcohol. Um, we both started partying a lot. But we partied differently. And we just started going our separate ways. And when we were separated is when I met my trafficker. Um, you know, I was in a very vulnerable spot, and I had I mean, I was I grew up in a very vulnerable spot. Anyway, um, with being in foster care and just not knowing, having any identity. Um, and, you know, traffickers prey on the vulnerable and on the weak. And, um, I actually met this guy through a friend who I thought was a friend. Um, and he groomed me for about a year. He gave me all the drugs that I wanted. Um, he also gave me all the material things that I wanted. And I had no idea that what was going to happen, what was going to start happening was trafficking, um, or even the grooming part.

And it's interesting because I think maybe we still have an old school mentality where a trafficker is someone who kidnaps somebody and takes them to another country and sells and holds them against their will. But what you're describing is actually what you thought was a relationship.

And it's interesting because I think maybe we still have an old school mentality where a trafficker is someone who kidnaps somebody and takes them to another country and sells and holds them against their will. But what you're describing is actually what you thought was a relationship.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And you call that Romeo trafficking?

And you call that Romeo trafficking?

Right.

Right.

Correct. So tell me about how common is that?

Correct. So tell me about how common is that?

It's more common than what people think. Because, you know, there is this lie that it's just about kidnapping and that's it. And, you know, parents traffic their kids and, you know, a lot of trafficking that does go on the the victim or the survivor knows the trafficker.

It's more common than what people think. Because, you know, there is this lie that it's just about kidnapping and that's it. And, you know, parents traffic their kids and, you know, a lot of trafficking that does go on the the victim or the survivor knows the trafficker.

And trust them. Yes. And that's why they've said, okay, whatever you say will go. So what did that look like in your context? What what was your trafficker, um, leading you to believe and then to do? Obviously, being sensitive to the little ears that are joining us.

And trust them. Yes. And that's why they've said, okay, whatever you say will go. So what did that look like in your context? What what was your trafficker, um, leading you to believe and then to do? Obviously, being sensitive to the little ears that are joining us.

Um, you know, I really, honestly thought that he loved me. Um, you know, he was my boyfriend, and we were together for for some time, and, um, he ended up starting. He first started with friends, um, and he was a big gambler. And I would be the prize every whoever won the the betting. Um. And then it started going on further into, like, hard Rock casino. We would go into strip clubs, um, the Seminole casino. Um, and like, I can't even go near the hard Rock now without getting any type of a trigger. Um, I was there not too long ago for a show at Christmas time, and a friend of mine actually wanted to meet me there instead of us going together, and I was triggered like that. I did not want to even be in the parking lot by myself.

Um, you know, I really, honestly thought that he loved me. Um, you know, he was my boyfriend, and we were together for for some time, and, um, he ended up starting. He first started with friends, um, and he was a big gambler. And I would be the prize every whoever won the the betting. Um. And then it started going on further into, like, hard Rock casino. We would go into strip clubs, um, the Seminole casino. Um, and like, I can't even go near the hard Rock now without getting any type of a trigger. Um, I was there not too long ago for a show at Christmas time, and a friend of mine actually wanted to meet me there instead of us going together, and I was triggered like that. I did not want to even be in the parking lot by myself.

Because so much tragedy, trauma happened.

Because so much tragedy, trauma happened.

There. Okay, so we're in the midst of this trauma and abuse and, you know, addiction and all these things are happening. But you're sitting here with us today. How did we get to that point where where does Christ step into your story and how did that happen?

There. Okay, so we're in the midst of this trauma and abuse and, you know, addiction and all these things are happening. But you're sitting here with us today. How did we get to that point where where does Christ step into your story and how did that happen?

So I was actually told about Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. And but it took me a long time to go. Um, and then I finally did go. Um, and then I was told about Celebrate Recovery. Um, which is the one at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, and I'm still involved in that ministry 14 years later. Um, because it really did save my life. Um, I ended up going through the 12 steps through Celebrate Recovery, which is a year, um, commitment. And, um, they you meet once a week for a year, and you end up getting very close to the women or the men you know, that are in your class. The women are with women, and men are with men, of course. Um, and I met my sponsor that I ended up having for 12 years, who ended up becoming more of like a mother to me. Um, because, you know, I never had that mother daughter connection when I was first born. firstborn. Um, and she. I had a lot of resentment towards women, and she ended up teaching me what a healthy female relationship is supposed to look like. Um, so a friend of mine actually signed me up to take the 12 steps because she knew that I wasn't going to go. Um, I was very stubborn. And, um, so she ended up also driving me for several weeks also to the the step study. Um, but I was not a Christian.

So I was actually told about Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. And but it took me a long time to go. Um, and then I finally did go. Um, and then I was told about Celebrate Recovery. Um, which is the one at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, and I'm still involved in that ministry 14 years later. Um, because it really did save my life. Um, I ended up going through the 12 steps through Celebrate Recovery, which is a year, um, commitment. And, um, they you meet once a week for a year, and you end up getting very close to the women or the men you know, that are in your class. The women are with women, and men are with men, of course. Um, and I met my sponsor that I ended up having for 12 years, who ended up becoming more of like a mother to me. Um, because, you know, I never had that mother daughter connection when I was first born. firstborn. Um, and she. I had a lot of resentment towards women, and she ended up teaching me what a healthy female relationship is supposed to look like. Um, so a friend of mine actually signed me up to take the 12 steps because she knew that I wasn't going to go. Um, I was very stubborn. And, um, so she ended up also driving me for several weeks also to the the step study. Um, but I was not a Christian.

Whenever I were you still in the relationships at this time?

Whenever I were you still in the relationships at this time?

I was, yeah, I was.

I was, yeah, I was.

And not a believer. But going to celebrate recovery at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Correct. So when did your eyes actually open that? Oh, I'm actually missing a step here.

And not a believer. But going to celebrate recovery at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. Correct. So when did your eyes actually open that? Oh, I'm actually missing a step here.

Um, it's actually during the third step, which is, um, having, you know, trusting God and putting God into your life. And that is when I got saved. And I got saved at Calvary Chapel, Fort Lauderdale when they used to do the New Year's Eve services. I miss those. But yeah, I mean, it was I did I walked forward and, um, my life started to drastically change. Um, you know, the sponsor that I had at the time helped me get out of the relationship. Um, I ended up I lived in Miami, you know, for a long time. And I ended up having to move to Broward. Um, I had to change my job. I had to, because I was a paralegal. Um, I had to change my whole entire life. I had to disconnect from a lot of friends because we had a lot of the mutual friends. Um, changed my phone number. Um, I had to change my whole entire life to get away from him. And there was times where I had an opportunity, but the trauma was so intense that I couldn't. Um. And every time that I did get away, he would find me. So. But that was before I had to change my whole entire life.

Um, it's actually during the third step, which is, um, having, you know, trusting God and putting God into your life. And that is when I got saved. And I got saved at Calvary Chapel, Fort Lauderdale when they used to do the New Year's Eve services. I miss those. But yeah, I mean, it was I did I walked forward and, um, my life started to drastically change. Um, you know, the sponsor that I had at the time helped me get out of the relationship. Um, I ended up I lived in Miami, you know, for a long time. And I ended up having to move to Broward. Um, I had to change my job. I had to, because I was a paralegal. Um, I had to change my whole entire life. I had to disconnect from a lot of friends because we had a lot of the mutual friends. Um, changed my phone number. Um, I had to change my whole entire life to get away from him. And there was times where I had an opportunity, but the trauma was so intense that I couldn't. Um. And every time that I did get away, he would find me. So. But that was before I had to change my whole entire life.

And so, coming to Jesus, your eyes are open. Your life is beginning to change. But does that mean everything is fixed then? Or were there kind of back and forth and ups and downs in your process of coming out of that life?

And so, coming to Jesus, your eyes are open. Your life is beginning to change. But does that mean everything is fixed then? Or were there kind of back and forth and ups and downs in your process of coming out of that life?

It was very difficult, you know, because I. From going to having multiple, multiple partners a day, um, to wanting to, you know, do life, you know, according to what Jesus wants for us and celibacy and, you know, trying to wait for the right man to come into your life that God ordained, that was very difficult. Um, and also, I mean, just the sobriety aspect, too. I was a chronic relapser to begin with. Um, and so every time I would try to get sober, I would start feeling all of those those intense emotions of trauma. And, you know, I had a therapist that was amazing. But she tried to do eMDR on me, which is a great intervention tool for trauma that therapists use. I'm actually certified in it today. Um, but it was just it was too soon. And I kept on relapsing and I would get like 60 days, 90 days and just and I would go back out. And when I was in the 12 steps that celebrate recovery, I did relapse during the third step, actually also. And, um, they allowed me to come back into the study because they knew there was no jails or institutions for me. You know, the old saying jails, institutions and death when it comes to sobriety, that I was going to die because I am I'm a heroin user and crack user. And, you know, now it's so with fentanyl. I've lost so many friends and I lost my best friend to this disease.

It was very difficult, you know, because I. From going to having multiple, multiple partners a day, um, to wanting to, you know, do life, you know, according to what Jesus wants for us and celibacy and, you know, trying to wait for the right man to come into your life that God ordained, that was very difficult. Um, and also, I mean, just the sobriety aspect, too. I was a chronic relapser to begin with. Um, and so every time I would try to get sober, I would start feeling all of those those intense emotions of trauma. And, you know, I had a therapist that was amazing. But she tried to do eMDR on me, which is a great intervention tool for trauma that therapists use. I'm actually certified in it today. Um, but it was just it was too soon. And I kept on relapsing and I would get like 60 days, 90 days and just and I would go back out. And when I was in the 12 steps that celebrate recovery, I did relapse during the third step, actually also. And, um, they allowed me to come back into the study because they knew there was no jails or institutions for me. You know, the old saying jails, institutions and death when it comes to sobriety, that I was going to die because I am I'm a heroin user and crack user. And, you know, now it's so with fentanyl. I've lost so many friends and I lost my best friend to this disease.

So how were you able to overcome even that struggle with relapsing? What finally was the the ending point for you?

So how were you able to overcome even that struggle with relapsing? What finally was the the ending point for you?

Um, just allowing God to really come into my life and surrender to him. Um, I ended up getting four and a half years, and I ended up allowing someone to come into my house. Um, that was using. And I really, honestly thought that I could still stay sober. Um, a lot of people were calling me, telling me that they were worried about me. And, you know, I was going. I had already started going back to school. Excuse me, at Trinity University or Trinity International University. And I was doing my bachelor's degree, and I thought that all the classes that I was taking in psychology were going to count as meetings. And I got very complacent, and I relapsed right away. And then, um, it was very difficult for me to come back because, you know, with the drugs of choices that I have, they're there so physically addictive. Um, you get so sick if you don't use. So that is actually when my best friend passed away from a fentanyl overdose is when I was in that relapse. Um, and I started going back to therapy. Um, and I did a lot of trauma work at that time. And I did my step, my 12 steps again. I did them through AA and celebrate recovery at that time. And, you know, I had so many resentments towards people. Um, I mean, I, I had so many resentments and my, um, especially, you know, towards the trafficker, the resentments that I had, I remember doing, the resentments that I had towards the trafficker. It was like 14 pages long.

Um, just allowing God to really come into my life and surrender to him. Um, I ended up getting four and a half years, and I ended up allowing someone to come into my house. Um, that was using. And I really, honestly thought that I could still stay sober. Um, a lot of people were calling me, telling me that they were worried about me. And, you know, I was going. I had already started going back to school. Excuse me, at Trinity University or Trinity International University. And I was doing my bachelor's degree, and I thought that all the classes that I was taking in psychology were going to count as meetings. And I got very complacent, and I relapsed right away. And then, um, it was very difficult for me to come back because, you know, with the drugs of choices that I have, they're there so physically addictive. Um, you get so sick if you don't use. So that is actually when my best friend passed away from a fentanyl overdose is when I was in that relapse. Um, and I started going back to therapy. Um, and I did a lot of trauma work at that time. And I did my step, my 12 steps again. I did them through AA and celebrate recovery at that time. And, you know, I had so many resentments towards people. Um, I mean, I, I had so many resentments and my, um, especially, you know, towards the trafficker, the resentments that I had, I remember doing, the resentments that I had towards the trafficker. It was like 14 pages long.

Um, it was so intense.

Um, it was so intense.

How important was the body of Christ towards your healing?

How important was the body of Christ towards your healing?

It's so important. Um, I really have had to have, you know, that network of people around me. Even today, I have seven and a half years year sober today, and I still have to have that that network. I have to have people around me because you cannot do this alone. No matter what you've been through in your.

It's so important. Um, I really have had to have, you know, that network of people around me. Even today, I have seven and a half years year sober today, and I still have to have that that network. I have to have people around me because you cannot do this alone. No matter what you've been through in your.

Life, I need you to say that again, because there's someone who needs to hear.

Life, I need you to say that again, because there's someone who needs to hear.

That.

That.

You cannot do this alone. And no matter what you've gone through in your life, you can't. And if you have gone through human trafficking, sex trafficking survivors understand survivors. And honestly, that's really the only people that are going to understand completely, you know, meet a survivor. And, you know, embrace this, the people that are around you and really talk to them because they they get it 100%.

You cannot do this alone. And no matter what you've gone through in your life, you can't. And if you have gone through human trafficking, sex trafficking survivors understand survivors. And honestly, that's really the only people that are going to understand completely, you know, meet a survivor. And, you know, embrace this, the people that are around you and really talk to them because they they get it 100%.

And you're available actually, that's part of your ministry now, is you help others that walk through what you walk through recover. And we have a link to Yana Recovery. Fort Lauderdale Center on our website, including Celebrate Recovery because that was so key to your deliverance are those classes is that community is the sponsor you met? It's really people coming alongside you and helping you.

And you're available actually, that's part of your ministry now, is you help others that walk through what you walk through recover. And we have a link to Yana Recovery. Fort Lauderdale Center on our website, including Celebrate Recovery because that was so key to your deliverance are those classes is that community is the sponsor you met? It's really people coming alongside you and helping you.

Yes, absolutely. And I go to meetings that celebrate recovery. Still, I go once a week. Um, the ones at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale are on Monday nights. They do dinner at 630. And then it's the meeting starts at seven. Um, it's in the banquet hall. And, you know, we we have a big celebrate recovery, and we love to embrace the newcomers, um, because they're the most important people in the room.

Yes, absolutely. And I go to meetings that celebrate recovery. Still, I go once a week. Um, the ones at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale are on Monday nights. They do dinner at 630. And then it's the meeting starts at seven. Um, it's in the banquet hall. And, you know, we we have a big celebrate recovery, and we love to embrace the newcomers, um, because they're the most important people in the room.

So that's where you are today. I mean, do you do you give encouragement to those person? Okay, let's put it this way. The person that's listening right now that says there is no hope, give the encouragement to that person at this moment.

So that's where you are today. I mean, do you do you give encouragement to those person? Okay, let's put it this way. The person that's listening right now that says there is no hope, give the encouragement to that person at this moment.

Um, I actually do run a organization. Um, it's a recovery center of Fort Lauderdale, and I am actually, um, I got my degree in mental health counseling, my master's degree, and I provide therapy to sex trafficking survivors. Um, so, you know, you can reach out to me. Um, I have a partner that also has her master's in mental health counseling as well, from Trinity. Um, and it is so important, like I said, to get those people around you. Um, to go to meetings especially, you know, if you're having problems with your sobriety, you have to go to meetings. You have to go get a sponsor. Um, you have to have an accountability team to walk beside you. Um, you have to get involved in, you know, in church. That's the biggest thing is getting involved in church. And, you know, and I really, because of the size of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, is I really was scared of that at first. But once you get involved in like a Bible study or a ministry like Celebrate Recovery. It's not that big anymore.

Um, I actually do run a organization. Um, it's a recovery center of Fort Lauderdale, and I am actually, um, I got my degree in mental health counseling, my master's degree, and I provide therapy to sex trafficking survivors. Um, so, you know, you can reach out to me. Um, I have a partner that also has her master's in mental health counseling as well, from Trinity. Um, and it is so important, like I said, to get those people around you. Um, to go to meetings especially, you know, if you're having problems with your sobriety, you have to go to meetings. You have to go get a sponsor. Um, you have to have an accountability team to walk beside you. Um, you have to get involved in, you know, in church. That's the biggest thing is getting involved in church. And, you know, and I really, because of the size of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, is I really was scared of that at first. But once you get involved in like a Bible study or a ministry like Celebrate Recovery. It's not that big anymore.

I would also say recovery is not a straight line. There are there are twists and turns. Um, some people it is a miraculous, uh, straight line, but for others it is. And this is what your story is telling us. It does come with its ups and downs and bumps in the road and having those people around you that can say, uh, we're not done. We're going to continue on, we're pressing forward. We're going to show you some, uh, ways to get help. Those people are important, and that's part of your story.

I would also say recovery is not a straight line. There are there are twists and turns. Um, some people it is a miraculous, uh, straight line, but for others it is. And this is what your story is telling us. It does come with its ups and downs and bumps in the road and having those people around you that can say, uh, we're not done. We're going to continue on, we're pressing forward. We're going to show you some, uh, ways to get help. Those people are important, and that's part of your story.

Yeah, I heard you say that they welcomed you back after a relapse. So they showed you the grace, and that is so necessary. Well, Jamie, thank you so much for coming in and just sharing openly about what God has brought you through, because it really is a testimony to God's grace, his power, and his redemption available for all of us. Uh, head to our website because we do have links that would be helpful to you if this story really resonated with what you're walking through.

Yeah, I heard you say that they welcomed you back after a relapse. So they showed you the grace, and that is so necessary. Well, Jamie, thank you so much for coming in and just sharing openly about what God has brought you through, because it really is a testimony to God's grace, his power, and his redemption available for all of us. Uh, head to our website because we do have links that would be helpful to you if this story really resonated with what you're walking through.