Maima's Story

In August 2008, I was diagnosed with severe depression. Since then every day is “different, worse, bad and even suicidal. I lost count of how many times, I was admitted into hospital for suicidal thoughts, tempted suicide and I even had police come to my house……………..far too many times.” My mental illness affected my marriage so bad, myself and even my connection with God. I have done bad things, unforgivable and unforgettable that it led me to seek help. The doctor’s prescribe depression medication to control my anxiety and depression.  

For 10 years I was suffering from mental illness. Being on 3 different depression medication for so long plus sleeping pill and pain killers.  Without all the medication I could not function for a day. I was so hard to deal with. I was seeing a psychologist, psychiatrist, and other different therapist’s but nothing helped me.  I had run out of options and I didn’t know what else to do, until one day, I had hit rock bottom - my worse day ever. All I could think of was for the pain to disappear. I wanted to live. I knew I needed to go somewhere and to be alone. I rang Cedarvale Health and Lifestyle Retreat and my first point of contact was Narelle on the phone – a positive call. Another phone call from Julie convinced me I needed to go.

On 24-29 February 2019 I was a guest at Cedarvale. Cedarvale Health & Lifestyle Retreat has changed my life completely; and this is not only personal but also in my spiritual walk with God. I did not have any expectation when I first arrived at Cedarvale. But what I learned within one week and took away from Cedarvale was very unexpected. From the day I walked in until the day I walked out, my experience was far beyond anything that anyone had ever done for me, except my husband. The hospitality was great. It is so warm and welcoming and even feels like a family too. The program, food and especially all the treatments were beautiful. It was worth every cent.

I felt like I was guided to Cedarvale for a reason. My mental illness had been a debilitating problem for more than 10 years. I was addicted to medication to survive and…………….now I’m free.

Going to Cedarvale has opened my eyes so wide and now I see what was missing in my life all these years, GOD. I am so happy that the Cedarvale Team introduced me to the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Bowral, where I have been attending each week since March. I have never felt so happy and excited to attend the sabbath program every week. Everyone is welcoming us with open arms. Only just last weekend my son and I attended the Bowral church Family Camp at Burrill Lakes. We were so blessed to be part of it. It was so fun and enjoyable. Without God my life will never be complete. I was so lonely, but now I’m not, everything is possible with God. I am happy, I am free from negativity and evil.

 Words can’t express my infinite gratitude to each and every one of you at Cedarvale……..but especially to Julie. Thank you for all the encouragement and everything you did for me. I am medication free.

Determination, Motivation, Inspiration and Encouragement with the power of my silent prayer, this is me.

I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind and now I see.

Written by Maima Katonibau