Summary
Highlights
Melda recounts her childhood as the daughter of farmworkers in North Florida. She describes a normal childhood that took a turn when her mother met someone else. The family moved to Georgia without her father's knowledge, causing confusion and emotional distress.
Melda describes the emotional reunion with her father after he found them at their new school with the help of people from their church. This led to a custody battle where her father gained custody of her and her older brother, while her mother retained custody of her younger brother. The relationship with her mother deteriorated, causing further emotional pain.
Melda speaks about her struggles with anger, depression, and suicidal thoughts during her early teens. Feeling numb and hopeless, she considered ending her life. However, remembering her upbringing in the church, she cried out to God. She felt a profound sense of peace and hope, leading her to dedicate her life to Jesus.
After encountering Jesus, Melda became passionate about sharing her faith and began delving into scripture. She underwent a transformative change, altering her lifestyle and seeking to glorify God in all aspects of her life.
Melda describes her decision to get baptized at 15 as a sign of full surrender to God. Her father and older brother joined her, and they were all baptized on the same day. Despite continued financial and physical struggles, she experienced joy and hope like never before.
Melda shares her personal mission to listen and minister to others, driven by her own experiences of feeling lost and broken. She emphasizes surrendering her own plans to follow God's direction, leading to unexpected opportunities and a journey of faith.
Melda recounts starting a youth conference and hosting Bible studies with her brother, despite facing challenges and spiritual warfare. While visiting Chicago her brother developed fibromyalgia and they had to stop the ministry however the Lord healed him in the end.
Melda shares how her and her brother wanted to retire their father, they were able to purchase a new home for him after some careful planning and prayer. She talks about a date in her journal matching the date they were going to close on the home, and other small miracles that she says are proof of god's intervention. She says life is much more beautiful with Jesus in it, and wants to share her testimony with others.
Melda encourages young people to seek God and experience His goodness, emphasizing the emptiness that comes from seeking fulfillment elsewhere. She shares a powerful prayer for those seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus, asking for healing, guidance, and boldness to step into their calling.