Letters From Home

Life on the run. From the law. Still a child living with his once carefree but now troubled Mom, the remnants of his semi-idyllic remote hippie childhood... faded into a dark season for the whole family. At only 12, Kipp had already experienced 2 lifetimes of pain.

He takes us on his journey... of life... of processing his childhood.. of a life-changing divine encounter... and profound moments. All of this led him down the path of healing, to the remarkable albeit imperfect place he is now at in his life.

VERSE: Romans 8:15- “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3FW2kUd

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Here are the link to the Mountain & Valley Podcast, where so many wonderful God stories are told:

On Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mountain-valley-podcast/id1453868341

The Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
& Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

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For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
https://lettersfromhomepodcast.com/

*FREE APP* Letters From Home Podcast has its own downloadable app., with all of our episodes in one easy place. Search our podcast name in the Apple APP store, and in the Google Play store. All free!

We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story.
[email protected]

What is in a name? And what could your name tell others, and how is it part of your story? We will explore these questions and more.

This episode is in part an audio letter to our children, Naomi Praise, Hannah Rose, Havilah Joy, JP, Eden Hope, Micah Zion, Jordan David and Elijah Glesener. You will hear our tribute to them, sharing the inspiration behind their names. Enjoy!

Episode Verse: Prov. 22:1-“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor better than silver or gold.”

Rev. 2:17-“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.”

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3gIpRxB

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Topics Shared:

We asked this question to a few previous guests. Is there a name that is special to you?
You will hear from Nii Akofio-Sowah, Camille Joy, Cynthia Tobias, Rhonda & Conell Hollins and Lois Gaydos.

Here are some other bonus episodes to hear more from my family:

Ep. 20 - Bonus Episode 20- “Everyday Extraordinary Characters”

Ep. 30 -Bonus Episode- “2020- The Stories We Will Tell”

Ep.40-"What Does Being a Child of God Mean to You?" Bonus Episode

Credits:
Original Artwork: Hannah Glesener
Technical Director: Jordan Glesener
Cohosting an Episode: Eden Glesener
Original Music: Jordan Glesener, Micah Glesener, JP Glesener
Voice Spots: Elijah Glesener, JP Glesener, Eden Glesener, Micah Glesener, Jordan Glesener, Shiloh Glesener.
Bonus Episode Appearance: Havilah & Gideon Silva, Shiloh Glesener, Hannah Glesener, Naomi, Nathanael, Kanuah, Kallah and Zaccai Oliver.
Bonus Episode Messages: Mike Glesener

Updated Artwork & Templates: Kyle Beckett
Transcription and Social Media Assistance: Debbie Sage
Editing and Audio Assistance: Scott Karow
Podcast Consultant: Rebecca Beckett & the whole Crista Media team

Letters From Home is grateful to be part of the Purposely Podcast Channel and Collective, the Purposely team and the Crista family. We wholeheartedly agree with their message:
“Purposely, your life. God’s Purpose. Practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life.”

To God be the glory.


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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

Did you know that fulfilling the great commission in the scriptures can be as simple as learning to practice hospitality in our homes? Sue Donaldson had wanted to be a missionary to the world, from her youth. In her adulthood she realized that the mission field starts right at her own address, at her own table. You will see the journey she takes, one step at a time, in obedience to her Lord, to love her neighbor. She now sees her home and table as her greatest way to show the world, the welcoming heart of God, one cup of coffee at a time. We are invited into her home and heart to see where the seed of her now blooming hospitable lifestyle began, and how even the most shy introverted busy person, can take steps toward hospitality.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3D9xmoX

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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

There is nothing like seeing someone in their 80’s still living life to the fullest. There can be a beautiful wisdom, patience, focus and endurance. This sentiment embodies Lois Gaydos and here is her story. She has walked with her Savior for almost 75 years. Her faith through life’s seasons will inspire you, as you see her trusting her loving God, even in this last, most difficult season, as a widow.

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another… Job 19:25-26

*This episode is dedicated to the memory of her beloved husband, Ken Gaydos, who along with his lovely wife, lived life to the fullest.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3LPm6lp

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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

Episode Description:
In marriage, two become one, but that is definitely a process. Some would call that process "from me to we." Rhonda Hollins shares her profound “me to we” journey of love.
You will hear how a painful dating experience affected her, how a miracle shaped her and how the love for her Savior has enabled her to live, and lay her life and loved ones at the altar. Today, Rhonda and her husband Conell are busy helping hundreds of couples start off with strong foundations for godly marriages. And in this story, we are invited into their home, to see where it all started out.

Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

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Topics Shared:
Happy Childhood, P.K.
Parents married 50 years
Clearly saved at age 6
Baptized, and hears God’s voice
13 yr old rebelling, at odds with mom
Dating abuse
Learning to trust again
Honeymoon, and the loss of a parent
The “me to we” first year
A very sick newborn
Miracle provision, surgery and healing
God has raised beautiful ministry through their family
Ministry of premarital counseling and strong foundations

THE P.S. Questions Answered:
Asking permission before physical encounters in marriage

1.Tips on pursuing a relationship, pursue premarital counsel
2.Communication
3.Heated Fellowship
4.How to Keep the fires going in marriage when things become stale
5.How has the pandemic changed you

Rhonda and Conell Hollin's Podcast: “Me to We Talk” 

Resources:
Women in Distress 24-Hour Crisis Hotline 1-954-761-1133


Guest Quotes:
Conell “Marriage is one conversation, one long, long communication.”
Conell “whatever you did when you were dating, keep that going. Why does it have to stop? It only stops because we allow it to our we become stagnant, or we become lazy. We become lazy in love, and once you become lazy and complacent, it is hard to get out of it.” It’s hard to get back to something that is special, something that is fiery.
Conell “A name has no character, no color, no flaw, but it means so much.”

Related Episodes:
Episode 51: Raven Hartwell’s story.

Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3LbOs98

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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

What if all you knew as a teenager was abandonment, abuse and drug dealing? How would that shape your perspective and choices? Paul Ybarra takes us right into his home and his life as a teenage drug dealer in California in the 80’s. You will hear how his life spiraled out of control, as the stakes got bigger and bigger. He also shares the beautiful way the Lord stopped him in his tracks, called him out of that life and put him on a new path.

Psalm 1:2-3 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”

**Special Note: Because this is a family-friendly podcast I want to take just a moment to let you know this podcast contains some sensitive content that might not be safe for young ears. If you have young kids listening, please take note and consider putting in earbuds.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3R3EZ5J

Topics Shared:

Low rider truck club parents, San Jose in the 70’s

Charismatic stepfather, big strong partying family

Learned class in the hood

Raised Jehovah’s Witness, stepdad was in leadership and nice at home

Light switch to narcissism and major abuse, molestation

Shame and guilt as a family

Elders didn’t believe the family, coverup ensued

Premeditated evil and double life

Jailed

Fresh start in Yakima, Wa. & Mabton

Mom spirals down, with cocaine

Created a cool image

Loved by a family

14 yrs old, feeling abandoned by his mom

She chooses another man over her children

Given a ticket back to Ca

LIVING THE GANGSTER LIFESTYLE, GANG BANGER:

His Mom moves back and becomes a secret Taco Bell madam, with a prostitute ring.

Even the high school counselor gives up on him

So he goes hard into the lifestyle

High rolling, living the Snoop Dog Video life

Starts tweaking, and going hard on drugs

Loses everything, and loses trust on the streets, depression sets in, and he tries to forget everything

Gets sober for a minute, finds a girlfriend who he wants to help and gets right back in

A String of jobs, and refuses rehab

Two thirty day stints in county jail

CHANGED BY THE LORD:

Mike Williams and his help

Suicidal

Binging, and doing a paper route

A Cry out to God

Quitting cold turkey, no uppers, no weed, and starting a New sales job

Affair with a young Christian woman

Reputation lost

Gets sober

His boss invites him to church, first man he respects since the age of 12.

1/09/2005 goes to the altar, salvation

New life, and then backsliding begins, back in California

A friend helps bring him back and repentance

A year of purification

Meets his wife at church

Three months later married

Sold out for God

MINISTRY:

Set Free Ministries

Live-streaming on Periscope

Recovery is for everyone

Coaching ministry begins

Kingdom Linked Network

Spiritual Father to Many

THE P.S. Questions Answered:

The Importance of Discipleship

How The Pandemic Has Changed Him

Paul Ybarra:
Podcasts: Activate Your Next Level Mindset Podcast with Coach Paul, Coach’s Corner with Paul Ybarra, On The Go Podcast With Paul Ybarra
Book: 100 Power Tips to Set You Free

Resources:
The Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 & Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Paul Ybarra Quotes:
“I just found the easy route, because my brother was out there in the streets. The lifestyle was selling dope, making some money, sell a whole lot of weed and have fun, and smoke weed. Right about that time is when gangster rap had just hit the market, in the late 80’s early 90’s, and you just live the lifestyle. The lifestyle soon became by the time I was 17 in high school, selling dope in school.”

“My mom had a job at Taco Bell, and along the way, she actually became a madam for this secret prostitute ring that was in Taco Bell. So it was part of the franchise, and she was making a huge amount of money, rolls of money was coming home every night. At 16 years old, I thought ‘I guess this is how we do life. So I was slinging dope in school. We would go to Taco Bell and get 5 to 10 bags of free food. It was like this junior mafia basically, all my home boys making money, doing the things.”

“I was a senior. One day I went to school and my counselor called me into the office and he said ‘Paul, what do you plan on doing with your life? All you do is come here and sell dope. Why don’t you just drop out. And I was sitting there thinking, ‘But you are my counselor, really?”

“We lived it, we spent it, boats, cars parties, like a Snoop Dog video, that’s what we lived. And through that, built a lot of respect in the streets. I was never in a gang, p erse, just gang-banged, always wearing red, a northerner, the whole nine, that’s who I was.”

“So basically, you have two different roles in the street. You have the thug and you have the money makers. I was part of the money maker crews, but we didn’t do the dirt.”

“I turned a crazy leaf and lost everything.”

“I was no longer the dope addict. I was no longer the home boy that sells dope. I was no longer the connection. I was Paul Ybarra.”

“Back then I was a home boy. I’m surrounded by nothing but white boys. I thought they were narcs. I thought it was a set up, because I was high, I was tripping. Then I found my little crew, they were all from Lodi, little Mexican homeboys and white boys that were cool homeboys. We all thought we were surrounded by narcs.”

I quit cold Turkey. That was my only escape. So we get on a sales crew. I know all the spots. I learned how to sell cleaner, and I learned it well.”

“I I got kicked out of my apartment. I moved in with a friend of mine who lived out in the country, but that trailer that was out there was infested with rats. I literally had to cover myself with a blanket like a cocoon to go to sleep. And one Saturday morning I said ‘God whoever you are, if you just give me a better job, I promise to serve you however you see fit. And that same day….”

“Recovery is for everyone. So how do I brand this to where I can reach people that aren’t in recovery, but help them deal with the abandonment, the mindset, the rejection, the spirituality?”

Related Episodes:
Ep. 31- “All Joking Aside” BIG Dave Ebert

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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

A strong-willed child. When was the last time you heard a parent say they have a strong-willed child, and were happy about it? This phrase usually has negative connotations and thoughts that fill our minds. But what if it didn’t? What if upon discovering we had a strong-willed child, we rejoiced, and knew that we had the tools to teach and guide that child well, and had great hope for the kind of force and strong-willed adult they could one day be for the Lord.

Cynthia Tobias was a strong-willed child, and is now a strong-willed adult, a humble force impacting our world for God’s kingdom. In her story you will hear the deep impact her loving Father and upbringing made on her life, and how the Lord she has trusted in from youth, has shaped who she is and how she ministers now, with her dear husband of 14 years, Jack Talley, in Bonney Lake, Washington.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
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Topics Shared:

A STRONG-WILLED CHILD, BELOVED BY HER FATHER
Nazarene holiness preacher dad
Admiring and watching her parents
Pastoring in Reno and Vegas
At 16, she spoke at the rescue mission
Strong-willed child, beloved
Church pianist, organist and janitor
Learned to work hard and meet the need
My father modeled for me as a strong-willed child how I could one day be, as a
strong-willed godly adult
Putting Chic Tracts on the desks in middle school
Working at the Christian Supply Center Las Vegas Nevada

PREPARATION TO SPEAK TO A ROUGHER AUDIENCE
Teaching high school
Becoming a female cop
Working with first responders and military
High School drug bust undercover agent

BECOMING A STRONG-WILLED MOM
Twins with vastly different personalities
Focus on the Family reached out to her
Authored 14 books
How she helped her strong-willed and her compliant twin boys

Bonus Tips: FIVE THINGS THAT DON’T WORK WITH STRONG-WILLED CHILDREN
Around min 40(Trigger phrases that will cause us to both go down in flames)

UNEXPECTED DIVORCE, BROKENNESS & REMARRIAGE
Lies and a crumbling foundation
Blindsided and completely unanticipated
Counseling and great effort to save her marriage
Struggling single Mom raising 12 year old twins
Never closer to her Abba Father
Working with Focus on The Family, Kings Schools, Family Life Today
Varying ministry responses to her divorce
Overall she was supported
Always speaking well of her ex
After 4 years, began dating
Dating and marrying Jack Tally, a wonderful Christian man, now 14 years married
Apple Street Business and Ministry, growth and provision
An international ministry

THE P.S.
Cynthia answers these questions and More:
How can we see revival in our churches in America?

What would you say to Christians who are struggling with motivation post-
pandemic?

What can you say to people that are going through the most difficult time of their
lives?

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Search CynthiaTobias in all of the places. She has wonderful resources available

Guest Quotes:
“In the city of sin, I was surrounded and grounded, and focused on Christ. The
Jesus music coming in, the ‘honk if you love Jesus’, The Way, The Living Bible, all
the music groups that came through, I got in on that part. It would have been so
easy to fall away into the secular part God had a plan, and that is where he kept
me, in the hollow of his hand, right there at Christian Supply Center, Las Vegas,
Nevada.”

“I heard them pray out loud for us every day. Morning and night they had
devotions, on their own, as well as with us. My dad would very quickly if we had an
issue or a problem he would say, ‘let’s pray about this. Let’s find out what God
wants us to do.” I grew up believing that’s what you did, that if you didn’t have any
idea what to do, you always went to God. My dad reflected that constantly. You
cannot underestimate the power of your parents, especially your dad, and the
power of example.”

“I found out that you get hired for all of the things you get in trouble for at school.
That was eye opening. Employers are looking for someone with high energy level,
good social skills, critical thinking, all of the things we are trying to discourage in
school. So I was able to come back and put my lessons and what I was teaching
them in context.”

“I learned that you just don’t give ultimatums to strong-willed children. If you use
them, you both go down in flames.”

“My favorite speakers are those, that if I walk away, I don’t remember what they
wore, or exactly a lot about them, I just remember the message. And that’s what I
strive to be.”

“The harder you are persecuted, the closer you come to Christ or the further you
walk away. There is really not much in between.”


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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.
Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3SSRS3R

Have you ever had the feeling that your life, what people see, and the reality of your heart are so far apart it is like you are wearing a mask.

Chris Archuleta was faking his spirituality as a pastor, so much so, that his family didn’t even know. This went on for years, until through a series of painful events, God helped him take that mask off. He shares with us that painful, but healing process, and how His loving God captured his heart, and restored him back to ministry.

Lk 9:23- “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me’.”
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Topics Shared:

LEARNING TO LIVE A DOUBLE LIFE
He thought his ethnicity was ‘christian’
Intense Biblical upbringing
Traumatic event caused deep hostility as a teen
Mean kid, who picked on others, fights
Great academics
Living a double life, rule following at home trouble at school
Pretending to be perfect

HIS MASK COMES OFF
Changed at a teen retreat
Baseball player
Dad started a church, his brother was the youth pastor
Maybe I am next
Reading for his own, and starting speaking publicly
Out of his comfort zone, classic introvert
Nervous to speak, hiding his shyness (chewed gum)
Compromising his faith in a relationship
Let go as a pastor
Married
Fired from a bunch of jobs
Became a phony and a fake as a pastor and worship leader
His wife didn’t even know
The spirit had left him and he didn’t even know it
Combining church ministry with his family was a train wreck
Family relationships were strained

VULNERABILITY & TRANSFORMATION
Parenting changed him, his daughter is his world and his son is his heart.
Suicidal low and a call that changed him.
The death of a godly man and the birth of another.
Vulnerability with a pastor that reached out.
The mask comes off
Restored as a pastor

Chris's Podcast:
Your Church Friends Podcast

Chris Quotes:
“My marriage, all of the faking and the phoniness, I couldn’t do it and I snapped.
We were now arguing all of the time. I couldn’t carry the weight I was carrying. I
couldn’t do the things that I was doing. I couldn’t fake it any more, and I felt that I
was letting everyone down.”

“My prayers in public, you couldn’t tell that I was not praying at all. When I was
praying at churches or leadership meetings, you just couldn’t tell because I had
gotten so good at faking it.
And I had gotten really good at burying the feeling of being a phony. And I was
getting away with it. And that is the part that scared me the most.”

“That was probably my biggest mistake in ministry, that I thought I was the guy
shouldering everything went into His strengths.God. . I never went into His grace
and love to power me through it. II never said. ’God this is your ministry. It was
mine. I personalized it so much, that I never gave it to God. So when it started
crumbling, it was me. I fell apart. It was my mistake. And then I got angry at God. I
became your classic prodigal son older brother. But what about me, and I became
very angry at God.”

“You have to get the mask off, and the easiest way is accountability. God didn’t
design us to be alone. If you look at animals in nature, the one the lion gets is the
animal that is by itself. The enemy comes after us when we are alone.”

“The biggest struggle in the church today is the lack of authenticity. If hypocrisy at
its root is a lie, authenticity is the truth. If we were just more truthful at church. If
we could just remove the facades of ‘God is good all the time which isn’t a lie, but
yeah ‘life sucks, life hurts, I am struggling with this, to find someone to be honest
with, and to be honest with God.”


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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.
Show Notes & Transcription: https://bit.ly/3SjsaWa

Can you imagine being a mother of 4 at age 21, and stuck in an abusive relationship with a man you thought was someone different? It is in that very season the Lord reached out and saved Camille Joy. Her story of escape, a fresh start, and an even more difficult season in her life, will lift your spirits and show you the power of a mom. You will also see the power of our loving God, who hears every prayer we pray for our children, sees every injustice, knows the plans He has and is working on, through it all.
Jeremiah 29:11-"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Topics Shared:

A LOVING MOTHER
Middle child syndrome not like her siblings
Needing her dad
Told she was pretty
Confident in her beauty
Boy crazy, rebellion bubbling, bad friends, popularity, materialism
Her sister was the rising scholar
Near the projects
Skipping school, kicked out of the magnet school
Mom worked hard, the bread winner

GANG LIFE & TEEN PREGNANCY
Pregnant at 15, Teen House Centers (given everything w/o parent approval)
Senior boyfriend baby daddy in a gang, The Bloods
Joined a girl gang, The Hot Girls
Saved from death
Her mom finds out at 20 weeks
Her mom taught her how to be a mom
Hitting her groove, working, good grades

ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP & ESCAPE
Abusive relationship with an older man, lied about his age, way older
Lured by materialism
Another baby at 18, 19 and 21 (she was 18, he was 42)
Isolation & set aside

The decision to leave, tried to leave 20 times (left with nothing)
Saved at 21
The moment she knew she had to leave
Escape from abuse
Her mother helped her escape
Her mother believed in her
Loses a custody battle to the abuser
Suicidal
9 years for them to be fully returned to her

SINGLE MOM RESTORATION & HEALING
A brand new start
Joys on her mother's couch
Finding her inner warrior

Camille Quotes:
"He was a hustler. It was a fast-paced life with a lot of money for a young girl.
Before you knew it, I was looking like Mary J. Blige in the 90's, with a gold ring on every finger, two gold chains, Jordans on my feet, driving a Red Range Rover. And all of that was a mirage for what the enemy had in store for me."
"I probably tried to leave 20 times."
"It was my mother, my beautiful mother, who saved me from that, who then began to bring me to her church, who helped me to heal, who helped me to know that God had great plans for my life still."
"They are kids for a little while, but they are adults for so much longer."
"Just know that God has a plan even for the ugly parts."
"I am so proud to be an autistic mom."

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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.

Show Notes & Transcription: https://onpurposely.com/the-power-of-mom-with-camille-joy/

It is a rare person who has soul-baring vulnerability, especially as a deacon, in front of the whole congregation, spontaneously, while on a Live Stream.

Overcome by the weight of his inner struggles, and contradictions, Nii shares everything… the love and death of his mother, the abuse by a Catholic priest, the suicidal thoughts and the contradictions he was wrestling with. His wife, his children, and his church were hearing this for the first time.

The Lord has moved greatly in and through Nii, before, during and after this pivotal moment. You won’t want to miss this everyday extraordinary faith story, which starts in a privileged home in Ghana.

IJohn 3:16- “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

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Topics Shared:

Growing up in Ghana
Mama’s boy, with an absent father
Forced to go to church
Mother dies in childbirth
Moving into his aunt’s home, now mom
Abused once by a Catholic priest, and not able to speak about it
Confusion and rebellious years ensue
Kicked out of many private schools
Unplanned pregnancy and marriage
Joining the military
Living a life of lies
His father is extradited from Canada and is saved in an American prison
Spontaneous confession of major struggles before church on a Livestream
The result of his vulnerability
The desire to honor his family
Fostering

Nii Quotes:

SINGLE MOTHER
“My dad did send money, but money doesn’t really fix anything. Money doesn’t give you happiness. Money doesn’t bring back your loved one that died. It helps in certain ways, but it can’t hold me when I’m sad and afraid as a little boy. Money can’t do that like a mother’s love.”

ADOPTION
“You can make that change in a child. And if you are fighting it, ask God, and God will give you that one child, that forever in that child’s life, they will always remember you.”

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We would love to hear how the Lord has encouraged you through this story at [email protected]

For more everyday extraordinary faith stories:
We are on Instagram, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google, iHeartRadio and all of the places podcasts live. Just type in ‘Letters From Home Podcast’ and scroll down until you see the rainbow.