KETURAH’S HAVEN

My story started in Jamaica when I was 17. I left home because I disliked my parents’ strict rules. When I left to live with my brother, I found myself in a situation that was not conducive to a young girl. After four weeks, he tried to return me to my parents. Halfway there, I decided I was old enough and responsible enough to find a job without having a place to live.

A man near my father’s age offered me a big job. I thought he would protect me, but he took me into his home, and I lost my innocence. He turned me out after four weeks. At that time, I was homeless. Thankfully, a kind lady took me in for several months. I was able to find employment and go to school for my career. Later, I married and had three children, but I left my husband and came to America with them.

In 2002, I began volunteering at a pregnancy center in Daytona, Florida, where I worked with pregnant and abused women who shared similar experiences to mine. I loved working with them. In 2008, I moved to Texas with my second husband, and in 2009, I volunteered with a pregnancy center in Katy.

While mentoring a young woman, she mentioned how, at 17, she was kicked out of her home and trafficked. This triggered a memory for me, and I wept, realizing I could have been just like her if God had not protected me. Ever since I accepted Jesus when I was 13, I have always believed He was protecting me.

At that moment, I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me about establishing a home for homeless, abused or abandoned pregnant women. She was eight months pregnant and about to be homeless. Praying and crying out to Jesus, I told Him I could not do this, but I was reminded of what happened to me at 17. He made me aware that if not for His grace, I could have become a prostitute or drug addict. Hence, He wanted me to help rescue women who going through this.

I tried to refuse at first. I pleaded that others would be more qualified than I. He helped remind me about the experience I had buried. He brought it all back. He wanted me to speak with them about their abuse and journey with homelessness.

Psalm 82:3-4 NIV tells us to, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

After praying, crying, and trying to refuse, the Lord pressed upon me that He would be with me.

In 2019, we opened Keturah’s Haven, a place where unconditional love changes lives, two at a time. Since then, we have been able to help almost 300 women. Currently, we have four women and three babies in the house. Nearly all who have been in our program have professed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It is a pleasure to do this, and I have seen lives change for the better. Some of our past residents also call to update or ask for advice.

It gives me peace knowing that although I refused at first, I was obedient and submitted to the call. Galatians 6:9 encourages believers, “not to grow weary in doing good, promising that at the proper time, they will reap a harvest if they do not give up.”