I had a wonderful life as a child with two loving parents and four older siblings. But at the age of ten everything changed. I was shot along with both of my parents, two sisters, and my grandma by my grandfather. Both my parents died that day. From then until I turned 20, in spite of all those who loved and cared for me, life turned into ...a living hell. I was diagnosed with clinical depression and put on several medications that I was told I would never be free from. The best doctors told me that my depression was passed down through my grandfather (who obviously suffered from mental illness) and that my only hope was to find the right combination of medicine. I was suicidal often, struggling to survive, without hope for a future. Then at 20 my life was radically changed due to and encounter with the love of Jesus Christ. To be loved is to live and God IS love. In one night I went from wanting to end my life and not able to control the voices that said I should kill myself to being filled with the kind of love that restores a person's passion for living, vision for a future, and hope for the impossible (being healed of depression). That night sent me on a course that has totally changed my life. I repented of my sin and asked Jesus Christ to by my Lord and Savior. Since that time life has by no means been easy but it has been totally transformed. God has healed me from clinical depression (no more medication, no more counseling, no more suicide attempts or thoughts), restored my passion and vision for living, and renewed my hope for tomorrow. I am free from anger and free from unforgiveness. I have been more than happily married for 13 years and God has blessed us with seven children and another on the way. I have been granted opportunities to travel the world and share the message of hope that we have in God, and in Him every need meet. I mean every need ! Therefor on this day I not only remember my mom and dad, but I rejoice that God has transformed my life, and I declare to all that are depressed or oppressed (in pain, cold, dark, hopeless, helpless, fearful, weak, down, despair, heartbroken, enslaved, guilty, miserable, sad, insecure) that Jesus Christ has come to set us free!

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; Luke 4:18