I’m a volunteer with ACT’s women’s community.
I grew up in a volatile house, with lots of arguing and violence.
I grew up anxious and submissive to avoid getting beaten.
It was scary.
I never had a relationship with Jesus growing up. My mum took us to church, but it didn't really bring any comfort from home.
We experienced loads of racism.
You’d hear stuff about love, but the church was segregated.
When I was a teen, I ran away from home because I was pregnant – which was a disgrace in Caribbean culture back then.
I was homeless for about a year and a half.
I ended up with a place where I had two children. And the domestic violence started with my boyfriend.
I got to a point where I said, ‘There’s got to be more to life than this.’
That same year, I met my husband. He was a really nice person, and I was a mess.
It was a miracle that I ended up with somebody so patient.
He came from Jamaica. His immigration application was very difficult. I couldn’t work because of my drinking and panic attacks and other things going on. For him to stay, I needed to work.
In 2005, I hit rock bottom.
An ex-partner broke into our home and held us up at knife point.
My panic attacks and drinking soared.
By then, I hated religion and anything to do with Christians.
But I decided to ask, ‘God, if you're there, can you help us?’
I contacted a solicitor about my husband’s immigration. He said, ‘You don't stand a chance. But I’ll help you.’ And thank God he did.
In four years, they granted him legal status here.
When I got the call, I fell to my knees. I said, ‘God, thank you. I just want to serve you.’ I didn't know what that meant, really.
That same month, a local church newsletter came through my door.
I went to that church, and I got saved and baptised.
Best decision of my life.
My husband didn't agree with my faith. At one point, I thought we would separate – I’d changed so much from the person he met.
I couldn't return to my old lifestyle. I'd have died from drinking.
But after praying for him for 17 years, he got saved last year – after surviving a near-death accident. Now we go to church together.
When I found faith, twelve other family members did, too.
The same year, my brother was diagnosed with bone cancer, and my sister with breast cancer. The next year, my nephew was murdered in Oxford city centre.
All these dreadful things happened.
You start asking, ‘Where is God?’
Slowly, all those family members drifted away from faith until only me and my son were left going to church.
Without God, I would’ve gone back into ruin because the hurt was so much.
But there’s no going back for me.
I know what God has saved me from.
Sometimes I can't contain my praise.
Every day I'm thankful.
My life has meaning and purpose now. I've got way more confidence. Trusting God is a daily thing.
I feel safe, loved and protected. I don't have all that anxiety I once had.
I never had a good relationship with my children because of my drinking. I was such a dysfunctional mother.
My son and I rectified things , and my daughter and I reconciled last year. Now we’re the closest we’ve ever been.
God has given me another go with my children and my grandchildren.
I may have lost a lot of family members, but I've gained my kids' love and respect back.
I came to a worship night at St Aldates in 2024 and wanted to get involved.
I got connected with Jo and Emily. They were looking for somebody with my skills to help with ACT.
Now I’m helping with the women’s probation breakfasts and wellbeing days.
I remember my past and thinking that nobody was there for me. It's such a joy to help here because I can relate to many of the women.
It's so wonderful to see people touched with the love of Jesus.
I love doing what I'm doing with ACT.
It's a privilege to do it.
I'll always ask for prayer to walk in obedience to the Lord. That's the main thing. If I'm doing that, then everything else falls into place.
There’s a lot to my story.
One day, I'm going to write a book about it. There are parts that are very dark.
But it’s wonderful now.