Author: Rhonda Van Donge

In 1999 I moved to Managua, Nicaragua. I had never had an issue with food before, but suddenly I found myself very conscious of what I had to eat. Without meaning to, I lost 5 pounds, and then 10 and suddenly life was forever changed. An eating disorder is a genetic disease. I did not cause this and it is not my fault. I fight every day over my thoughts and emotions about food and exercise. ED wants to control me, but by God's grace and the love of my family, friends, and support team, I am winning my life back. On God's lead, I fight everyday to gain back my freedom from this compulsion and obsession. On November 7, 2016 God took my life out of my hands and brought me completely into his own. I have learned surrender by letting go of what I thought I was controlling and allowed God to begin to heal my mind, my heart, and my soul. This is the hardest fight I have ever had, but I am not fighting alone. God's mercies and compassions are new every morning. I am a new creation; I am a child of God; I am not my eating disorder.