A Journey of Faith, Struggles, and Transformation

They say that we are all born with a story to tell, and today, I want to share mine with you. I don’t believe that my story is more important than anyone else’s, but I love reading about how God has worked in the lives of others because it inspires me to keep walking in faith. People often say that when we are born, we come into this world destined to suffer. While it’s true that life can be hard, suffering is not the only thing we experience. As the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, “To everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.”

I truly believe that I am currently in a season of "plucking" what I planted. Years ago, someone told me it’s better to endure all the bad things early in life and then enjoy the good later on. While this holds some truth, we are not always in a state of happiness. Challenges will come, but the seeds we plant will always bear fruit—depending on what we sow. Allow me to share my testimony in the hope that it encourages you to share yours as well.

    My Early Years: The Struggles of Adaptation 

I was born in the Dominican Republic and came to the United States when I was seven years old. My mother had left me with my grandmother and aunt to come to the U.S., with the intention of bringing me here once she was settled. Years passed, and it wasn’t until I was seven that she finally came for me. It wasn’t until I studied psychology that I understood how deeply I processed this as a form of abandonment. But I’ll get into that later.

When I first arrived in the U.S., I had no friends, no understanding of the country, and a lot of uncertainty. First, I felt abandoned by my mother, and then I was taken to a foreign place where I knew no one. But they say parents always do what’s best for their children, and now that I’m a mother, I can say this is true. Still, that doesn’t mean every decision is the right one. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I had stayed in the Dominican Republic.

The truth is, my body thrives in warm weather, and I feel a deep connection to nature. I love being barefoot, eating fresh fruit like mangos, and living simply. I always gravitate toward peace and connection. Despite all the challenges of adjusting to life in a new country, I slowly adapted. By the time I was twelve, I had made friends and was growing in ways I never expected.

    The Ups and Downs of Family Life

My mother remarried, and my brother and I connected with my stepfather’s family. For a while, things were okay. But soon, tension began to rise. My mother and stepfather fought constantly, and there were nights when the police were called to our house. I remember hiding with my brother during these times, unsure of why we had to go through it.

When I was around twelve, I worked hard to earn a scholarship for a study abroad program in Spain. I was so excited to share the news with my mother, but when I did, she told me I couldn’t accept the scholarship. That was a huge disappointment, and it planted another seed of discontent in my heart. I looked at other kids who seemed happy and wondered why I wasn’t.

A Series of Losses and Disappointments

In 2009, life threw me another curveball. We had to travel back to the Dominican Republic because my mother’s brother passed away, and my aunt was ill. That period was full of grief and loss, but it also marked a turning point for me. Things were already strained between my mother and stepfather, and upon our return, we found that he had packed up our belongings and given most of them away. Our living situation became even more difficult, and we stayed with him until I was in high school.

High School and the Struggles of Rebellion

High school was a tumultuous time. I was angry, frustrated, and lost. My rebellion was fueled by all the disappointment I had experienced. I wanted to leave home, and the only way I knew to do that was by getting a job. My rebellious behavior led me down a dangerous path of partying, drinking, and making poor decisions.

 At sixteen, I started working at a phone store—a decision that changed my life in ways I never anticipated.

I had never worked before, but the store owner gave me a chance to learn. He taught me about work, saving money, and the world of entrepreneurship. This was where things got complicated. I started to develop feelings for him, and, in my desperate search for love and attention, I ended up in a relationship that was not healthy. Despite my mother’s warning, I didn’t listen. She tried to protect me, even when I didn’t want her advice.

Becoming a Mother and Facing the Consequences

When I was 18, I moved out with him, against my mother’s wishes. Soon after, I found out I was pregnant. I was terrified and overwhelmed. I had no idea what I was doing or how I would manage this responsibility. My relationship with my baby’s father quickly deteriorated, and I was left alone during most of my pregnancy.

My parents were disappointed in me. They wanted better for me, and the weight of their disappointment felt unbearable. When my son, Saion, was born, it was the hardest thing I had ever experienced. I was physically and emotionally drained, and I struggled with postpartum depression. During that time, I felt lost and disconnected from everyone, including my son.

Reaching Rock Bottom and Finding Faith

As time passed, things got worse. I lost my apartment, and my son’s father left me with no support. I found myself hopping from one room to another, relying on my parents to feed my son. I had no friends, no family nearby, and no real support system.

But then, something incredible happened. I moved into a woman’s house who invited me to church every Sunday. For a long time, I kept saying “one day,” but she never gave up on me. When I finally accepted her invitation, I encountered Jesus in a powerful way. The sermon spoke directly to my heart, and I felt all my guilt, shame, and fear wash away. It was a moment of breakthrough.

A New Beginning: Embracing Faith and Persevering

I decided to go back to school and work two jobs to support my son. Life wasn’t perfect, but I finally found peace. I had accepted Jesus into my life, and He began to transform me. However, as anyone who has walked with God knows, there’s a period of pruning—a time when God refines you and strips away the old you. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary.

As a single mother, I faced many challenges, but those years were essential in shaping the woman I am today. Through it all, God has been faithful. He’s been my strength, my provider, and my guide.

A Life Transformed

Looking back, I can see how every part of my journey, every season of hardship, has been a stepping stone to where I am today. My faith has carried me through the darkest times, and I’m no longer the person I was. God has truly transformed me, and I am forever grateful for His grace and love.

Sometimes it's easy to see where someone is now in life, but you don't always know the struggles they’ve faced along the way. I was lost in partying, drinking to numb the pain, and deep into postpartum depression. I was alone, stuck in a vicious cycle, and didn’t know how to get out. Even after accepting Jesus, I continued to make mistakes—and I still do. But thank you, Jesus, for paying the price for me. He healed my heart, pulled me out of the pit, and gave me purpose.

Since then, I’ve realized that my calling means so much more than I could have imagined. My purpose is to help those who, like me, didn’t know their identity. My calling is to point them to Jesus because He is the one who can restore.

I hope that my story encourages you to share yours, knowing that no matter what season you're in, God is always with you, and He has a plan for your life.

Keep walking in faith