Our Story

 

Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, with Haitian parents, I am the youngest of five. My mother abandoned me at the age of 3. She left my brother and I with our father, after fully raising my other 3 older siblings. She wanted to live her life without any kids and with a new husband.

We reconnected when I was 8 years old, and it was as if she never left. I lived with her for a while. When I was 12 years old, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. My mother was not very happy and asked me to leave the house. With nowhere to go (my father was living and working away), I went to my pastor who became like a father to me, he allowed me to sleep in the church.

I started serving in the church and seeking God. However, I was worried about my legal situation in the Dominican Republic. Citizenship there is not like here in the US. A child born from undocumented parents does not get citizenship. My mother did not give birth to me in a hospital. She never registered my birth, so I did not have a birth certificate for most of my life!

This situation worried me because I wanted to serve the Lord and have a family. I wouldn’t be able to get married legally nor get a decent paying job. I was a nobody in society.

I tried different ways to get my situation rectified and I got scammed several times. My efforts were not taking me anywhere. I was so frustrated and depressed. Countless of sleepless nights crying out to God as to why. One night I thought it would be easier if I did not exist anymore and tried to end my life.

At one point, out of desperation and frustration I made the decision to move to a different city to pursue better job opportunities. A lady in my neighborhood who had no idea of my plans pulled me aside saying that the Lord is telling me to stay there and not go away. I knew it was God talking but still decided to leave. In my frustration I was nasty to my pastor who had treated me like his own son. I should have obeyed God when He said not to go. I worked so hard for 5 months in construction only to not receive pay for the last month. I was so broke; I had no money for food. I am so grateful to my sister and my nieces who helped me out so much.

I was at my lowest point! I had left Bayaguana (the city where I was originally from) in bad terms with the pastor. I was so ashamed to go back. But God in His great mercy had my pastor call me one afternoon asking how I was doing. He then proceeded to tell me that I still had a home and a job with them. I went back and they treated me as if I had never left. It truly felt like the prodigal son returning home. Shortly after I met Johanna, and the rest is history. A testimony for another day.

My life hasn’t been easy, I had to live through some hard days. God gave me the strength to keep going. My life story has fueled me to share Christ with others and speak life into them. 

Our mission is to share God’s message in hopes that it motivates and it reminds you who you are in Christ.

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11