Tell me about yourself…

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, I migrated to the United States at a young age.  Little did I know back then that years later I’d become a Christian – an unlikely outcome given that my mother was Hindu and my father was Muslim.  I credit my mother with allowing me to explore other religions; she was always a free spirit and encouraged me to venture off.  In contrast, my father was very strict and tried to instill his beliefs in me; that resulted in me attending a Muslim school for a while.

How did you first come into contact with Jesus Christ?

Because my mother was such a free spirit, she was open to the idea of other religions.  I remember as a child, we would get frequent visits from Jehovah’s Witnesses evangelizing in our neighborhood.  Even though I’d heard stories about God, I never developed a personal relationship with him.

How was your life forever changed?

I was a young, vibrant, single mother who had recently given birth to my second baby when I developed an aneurysm in my brain, which resulted in a stroke that left the entire left side of my body paralyzed.  The doctors refused to operate on me because they feared that it was too risky.  Everyone, including me, had given up hope.

How did you meet Pastor Charles?

Two weeks before developing an aneurysm, I came into contact with Pastor Charles while working at a shoe store on Jamaica Avenue.  I truly believe that God instructed him to pay me a visit.  Pastor Charles introduced himself and informed me that he was a pastor.  He handed me his business card and suggested that I visit his church.  Who would have known that business card would become essential to me receiving the most precious gift of all – the gift of Salvation!

Tell me about how God healed you…

 After the doctors had given up on me and sent me home, I became severely depressed.  I started to think about ending my life because I felt like I had no purpose for living.  It was then that I suddenly remembered the business card that Pastor Charles handed me that day on Jamaica Avenue.  With no hope left, and with no one to turn to, I gave Pastor Charles a call.  He, along with Pastor Sherry, immediately paid me a visit.  They prayed for me and led me to the Lord.  From that day onward, my life began to change for the better.  God had given me a second chance at life.  In a matter of months, I had completely recovered and was well enough to return to work.  This, of course, left my doctors, physical therapists and everyone who knew me stunned.  God stepped in and healed me when no one else could.

What is your relationship with Jesus like today?

It is such a joy to have a personal relationship with my Savior.  I am a proud Christian and by the grace of God, I am not turning back.  God has shown himself in my life many times; for example, my home was recently destroyed by a fire and I was untouched; I’m still standing.  My life now has meaning; I am happy, proud, content; here I am eighteen years after developing an aneurysm with no sign of it ever existing.

For someone who may be doubting the existence of God, what words of advice can you offer?

Give Jesus a chance! Don’t wait for a situation to occur in your life.  Rather, put God to the test and he will prove himself.

For someone who may be going through a similar situation that you went through, what words of encouragement can you offer?

Pray, hold on and don’t give up!  If God can do it for me, then he can surely do it for you.  God works on his own time so in time, he will show himself.  Matthew 6:33 reminds us to put God first and all things shall follow.