When I was 7, I got yellow fever. I got really weak and I couldn’t eat. By the time I saw the doctor, he said there was nothing they could do for me. My grandmother took me into the church and she and my aunt, who was a nun, prayed all night for me. From then on, I gradually began to feel better and recovered in about a week. Everyone was amazed!
6 months later I came to live with my father in London, where I have been ever since. It was very hard at the beginning and unfortunately, things have not always gone well for me. One result was that I forgot about God. I carried around a lot of anger. I seemed to end up arguing with those close to me. I got into situations where I shouldn’t have been and I did things I know I shouldn’t have been doing. I felt ashamed and hurt, almost a prisoner in my own body. I got depressed.
My mother died when I was 21. She was in the Ivory Coast, and I was not with her at the time. It was incredibly painful and it brought all my negative emotions to the surface.
Towards the end of last year, I met with Tom to pray. We met in the church and immediately, I felt the burden and pain inside me lifted. I felt forgiven for the first time – and so I could begin to forgive myself and the people who had hurt me. For the first time since I was about 8, I felt ‘me’ again. My depression is much better. I can appreciate all God had done for me – not least, saving me from death 3 times.
My 3 children, Kelis, Josephine and Naomi and I are all being baptised on 28th April, and I will be confirmed. What God has done for me means I feel ready to give my life to him. I feel his happiness, his love for me and his presence.
Lina Chaaroui