An unexpected injury changed the course of Victoria’s life. A serious fall left her with lasting physical challenges and brought her Bible college studies to an abrupt stop. As her health declined and her financial resources were exhausted, the life she had carefully built unraveled faster than she could recover. With no place to live and no clear path forward, Victoria came to Pacific Garden Mission seeking help.

What began as a moment of crisis became the doorway to a season of healing, restoration, and spiritual renewal she had been praying for her entire life. When Victoria needed help, PGM was here for her. We thank you, our supporters, for making that possible.

A Childhood Shaped by Trauma

“My name is Victoria Stoll. I was born in Germany after World War II. When I was three years old, my parents brought me to the United States and settled in Chicago. My parents were Jewish refugees who survived the Holocaust, and although I did not understand it at the time, that trauma influenced our family life.

“My parents loved their children, but they were deeply broken. My father especially struggled, and I grew up in a home marked by verbal and physical abuse. As a child, I did not realize what I was experiencing was not normal. It was simply all I knew. Although the abuse lessened as I grew older, the emotional damage had already taken root. I carried shame, anger, and deep wounds for many years.”

Faith and a Love for Learning

“I became a Christian when I was eleven years old at a Billy Graham crusade in Chicago. From that point on, I had a strong desire to give my life to God’s Word. As a teenager, I dreamed of attending Moody Bible Institute.

“When it came time for college, I prayed that if God gave me a piano scholarship, I would attend Roosevelt University. If not, I would go to Moody. I received the scholarship and earned a degree in music education at Roosevelt. Later, I completed a master’s degree in school leadership at Concordia University.”

A Career of Service and a Deferred Dream

“I worked as a legal secretary for a time and later became a teacher in Chicago public schools. Teaching is something I truly love.

“In 2022, I finally decided to pursue my lifelong dream of attending Moody Bible Institute. I was accepted and began classes majoring in Jewish studies. It was the most demanding academic program I had ever experienced. I was carrying a heavy course load while also participating in chorale. I did not rest enough and became burned out.”

The Injury That Changed Everything

“Around that time, I suffered a serious accident. On April 1, 2022, the first day of training for a new job, I fell down five cement stairs and struck the back of my head. I sustained a major head injury that affected me physically and emotionally.

“Soon after, my finances were depleted. I had spent nearly my entire life savings, and after finishing my classes for the year, I ended up in the hospital. I had been living on campus and suddenly had nowhere to go.”

Finding Refuge at Pacific Garden Mission

“That is when I came to Pacific Garden Mission. At first, I thought it would be very short term. After a few days, I learned about the New Life Bible Program for women. When I discovered it focused on studying the Bible, memorizing Scripture, and developing a close walk with the Lord, I knew immediately this was exactly what I wanted. This was what I had been seeking for my entire life.

“I committed to the program, trusting that God had orchestrated my circumstances to bring me here.”

Healing and Renewal

“Through the New Life program, God began answering prayers I had prayed since my teenage years. Through biblical counseling, God revealed the shame and guilt that had fueled my anger. As He dealt with those roots, the anger began to disappear.

“I see my time at Pacific Garden Mission as a gift from God, a place of transformation, and a place where lifelong prayers are being answered.”

Continuing the Journey

Today, Victoria has graduated from the New Life Program, but her journey at Pacific Garden Mission continues. She returns daily to attend Bible classes, remain rooted in God’s Word, and to serve here. What was once a place of refuge has become a place of purpose.

Thank you for making stories like Victoria’s possible—and thank you for anything you can give so someone else can experience Christ’s healing and life-changing love.