Suffering the agony of the rape in silence, Destiny did
not tell a soul. She was embarrassed and afraid. She
went from a happy talkative child, to a reserved little
girl. Eventually she got the courage to tell her mother
about what the Bishop had done to her. Instead of her
mother’s love and understanding, her mother turned
on her, brought her before the church, asked them to
pray for her because she was telling lies. This nightmare would continue. Soon school officials noticed her
weight gain. At the young age of 9, she gave birth to her
first child. Literally, a baby having a baby.
Destiny’s second chance at marriage was to a man who
was 37 years old. She now was only 18. Having had to
drop out of school in the ninth grade she decided to go
to a community college to obtain a certificate of business. This would enable her to help her husband lawn
care business. Three years later her 8th baby is born.
She put her mind and business knowledge to work and
obtained city contracts. Before long her contracts were
totaling $500,000. She purchased a new home and she
thought all was well. Eventually that marriage would
come to an end.
The abuse continued for Destiny throughout her young
life. Only 11 years old she forced to marry a young deacon from the church who was her 20 year old rapist.
After several years of unhappiness and unrest she was
able to divorce him and focus on raising her young children.
Now in her mid-40’s, and nine beautiful
children. She was in a different phase of
life. She was now a successful business
woman of not one but several businesses.
She had been waiting all of life for God’s
help. Her vision was for a building complex
to have counselors, educators, medical staff,
childcare and on the job training staff to help
children to feel safe. She envisions a place
where individuals can stand on their own feet
and be able to take care of themselves and
their children. She desires to teach others
about God’s saving grace and to let them
know there is hope on
the other side of their
abuse. She wants
people to understand
that regardless of your
past situation, there is
still life to be lived.
PROGRAM SUCCESS MAGAZINE PAGE:
25 |
MOTHERS DAY
2015