ANONYMOUS
A while back, I went to the doctors because my period was irregular. Ever since I started my menstrual cycle, I would get it in one month and not get anything until about 3-4 months after. Since I just started, my mom thought it would get regular the more I grew up, but little did she know. For awhile, it remained the same, but with the irregular cycles, it was also extremely heavy and lasted for long periods of time. I remember being on my period for 30 days straight! Fortunately with this, I did not feel any pain at all like most females do.
Due to how weird this was, we went to the doctors and after a bunch of x-ray's and CT scans she told me I had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
"PCOS is a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS also may cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it isn't treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease" (webmd.com).
My doctor told me that I would have to get on birth control pills and some medication for diabetes, which will help balance my hormones. Even though we got the medication, I decided I was not going to take them because that meant I accepted the sickness and my mom agreed with me, so we kept praying. I went to the 2014 Bethel Campus Fellowship conference from February 7th -9th, 2013 and I got my period on February 8th and for the first time ever my period was over in a week. It was not as heavy as it usually was and it felt regular. I praised God and I accepted my healing.
The next month my period came again on the 8th and lasted for about a week. At this point, I knew my healing was complete and I just praise God for restoring me and knowing I will have no problems with conceiving (when the time comes). I had prayed for this for a while and sometimes I accepted that this was how my life was going to be, but God proved me wrong. Just because my prayers were not answered when I wanted them to did not mean it was not in God's plan for me to be healed. I encourage everyone waiting on the Lord for something to keep having faith. He will answer in time :)
-Signed Unknown aka "Luke 8:44"
SAN ALIA
My name is Nicole OluwaBukola Jobi A.K.A San Alia. I was born in Cheverly Maryland in 1993, grew up in Cheverly moved to bowie in 2001 and eventually moved to Nigeria in that same year for schooling. I came back to America in 2007 and attended Bowie high school and now I am currently a 20 year old senior at Morgan state university, pursuing a BS in Public relations. I'm gifted in the area of teaching, speaking and writing, and last, but not the least here’s a fun a fun fact! I love Jesus Christ!
When did you start using this gift? Was it natural or you had training? When did you start using it to glorify God?
I discovered I could write poetry before salvation in 2009. One day I was bored and I just opened up the notes section on my iPod and began writing how I felt at the moment leading to my first poem titled “Invisible Heart”. When I first starting writing, my poems were targeted towards what my idea of love was at the time, STD’s, Death etc. After salvation, I began to use my talent to glorify Jesus. My poems are now targeted towards my testimony, salvation, and life through the lens of Jesus etc.
Any past or future projects?
Ever since I got saved in 2011, I’ve written 9 spoken word pieces namely:
• The beat goes on • Identity Crisis • The fall and redemption of humanity • Idols in Israel • Misconception • A good seed among tares • Nu creature • It's just what He does • Complete Faith
I've ministered most of these spoken word pieces at both church events and secular events like from Christmas events to open mic nights.
Anything you desire to use your gift for in the future?
It would definitely be an honor if I could be a part of P4CM (Passion 4 Christ Moment) and I could minister at one of their events. But my end goal for the use of my gift is just to see people come to know who Jesus Christ or at least have a new revelation of who He can & wants to be to them.
Is there any fellow artist you look up to?
I believe rap is poetry so if was to look up to anyone in the poetic field, it would have to be the Christian rap artist name Eshon Burgundy. He's just really awesome and its so evident that his lyrics are straight from the throne of grace and influenced by the Holy spirit.
Wanna know more about San Alia or get future updates?
Follow her on Instagram @SanAlia
JaYo
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Jesse Owusu. 21 year old American emcee. Originally from Ghana, traveled to America when I was at age 5 and was introduced to music then. I began the poetry part of the music at age 18. Oh and people call me "JaYo".
When did you start using this gift? Was it natural or you had training? When did you start using it to glorify God?
So as I said I started using this gift at the age of 18, however I feel like this gift has been being cultivated since the first time I took a piano class at Victor Litz. It's been years of learning different things about music and style and performance that make me or my music what it is today. I started to make music that glorified God when I realized God was that important! Basically to quote myself "when got healed from an 18 yr cold" LOL
Any past or future projects?
Yeah, so I'm currently working on a project called "Back 2 the Rice" (please don't ask, there is no significance to the title. I just like rice). I've been working on it for the better part of a year so I'm definitely excited about it and it will be available for free DL [download] so make sure you get your hands on one! Some time in June (probably).
Anything you desire to use your gift for in the future?
Hmmm. I desire to use my gifts in the future to contribute to movies! I'm just a movie rat I love 'em and their almost a second passion.
Wanna know more about JaYO or get the latest updates on his new music? Follow him on
Twitter (@jayo2da) and IG (foggieraw).
You can download his past album "Rice for breakfast" right here for free! Enjoy!
KRISTINE
A huge part of my past was a struggle with severe depression. Throughout my struggle, I had a horrible self-image, and to deal with that, I fell into smoking weed and self mutilation. I lived two different lifestyles. When I was at school, I was bubbly and cheery and always made people laugh. I was always told that I had a bright future and that I was going to somehow change people around me. People told me that I was going to be a world changer in some way or another because of my personality and talents that I was blessed with. Those words were the hardest for me to swallow. I became someone else when I would get home. I would lock myself in my room and just feed myself with lies. I was ugly. I was not beautiful. I would never be loved. Yes, I had family. I had some really good friends. I even dated, and those guys who stayed with me went through utter hell. They didn't understand why I did the things I did. Nobody did. I would just go home and begin slicing up my skin because I was so angry. I got some kind of cheap release out of putting myself through torment. I was out of control.
After awhile, these “coping skills” that I had developed just weren't enough. Something in me couldn't handle everything that was going on around me, and I snapped. I had suicidal thoughts for a while, and one day, I decided enough was enough. I went home after school and saw my mom wasn't home, and decided that day was the day. I searched the house and found every pill bottle I could and emptied them out onto the counter.
But after Jesus came in and fixed me up, I became a whole new person. I realized I didn't have to try to take control of situations through substances and self-hurt. Taking all my frustrations and sorrows to Jesus was so much more fulfilling than any razor blade. But, it’s not until we hand over those things to God that we can be liberated from those demons. This includes total surrender. And even though suffering is the worst, it’s still sometimes hard to hand over the way that we have learned to cope with the world around us.
But, God wants to help us. God wants to mend us. God wants us to look to Him rather than hurtful idols.
I’m begging anyone who reads this to reach out to people they know are hurting and show them that Jesus is better. I pray that anyone struggling with depression reaches out for help. I would never wish the pain or the hurt I went through on anyone. Even if you’re alone reading this, and you’re having hurts, to surrender and hand your hurts to Jesus before it gets out of hand. God wants to restore us. I now thank God for what I went through so I am able to help people out. It all ended in glory for Him! Some days, I look at my scars, and Satan uses them to remind me of who I was. But, I am thankful for the days that I look at them, and God gently reminds me that I am not that person anymore. He has restored me in His image. He has made me perfect – scars, and all.
He wants us all to be restored. Surrender.
I hope this helps somebody. As painful as this was to write, I know that it will move somebody to turn to God. Share this with someone. You never know what can come out of something that looks broken right now.
-KrisNgozi
MAYOWA
Saying your testimony is hard, but writing it is even more difficult. Writing it makes your past so real, but then you are able to reflect on how the love of one man All God changed your life. Growing up in California with a single parent, allowed me a lot of freedom. Not having a great relationship with my Dad and being molested when I was younger made me extremely weary and distrustful of men. So it was easier to have a physical relationship with them, than to acknowledge my brokenness due to my father and past experiences. I was looking for a Savior and I didn't know it.
My first experience with drugs was in Spain, I was 14 at the time and at the program I went to everybody did drugs and smoked like it was nothing. I was always the person who did what others did without caring about the consequences. There I had my first experience with, drugs and alcohol. Alcohol was a stronghold in my life until I turned 22. It was an escape for what was missing in my life. As I grew up, I always thought I had it together and I had grew up with a sense of entitlement and pride. It was this drive to be what those around me wanted me to be and prove myself. On the outside I looked like I had it all together but I was literally just going through life with no direction. I was lonely, depressed, angry and selfish. I tried so hard to fit into this image that was suffocating me. Here I was this perfect girl on the outside but I wanted somebody to acknowledge my brokenness. I kept thinking by there had to be more to life, I hoped there was.
As I started college, I tried to find myself through causes and different religions like Spiritualism and Buddhism but they were fads, they would make give me a sense of peace for a bit then it would end, and I would move on to my next fix. The college atmosphere only intensified my dependence on alcohol. I couldn't go a couple days with alcohol, I didn't even like it I just needed an escape. I was so careless with it, I didn't care what happened to me. I was the girl to make sure a bottle was never left at the club. I was going aimlessly through life. Life constantly put me on edge.
My breakthrough came my senior year in college. I honestly can say my senior year was the worst year of my life. Here I was a college graduate unsure of what I was going to do after college, my friendships were a hot mess. I was just unsure in every area of my life and my depression was at an all time high. I felt the walls closing in. Then one day one of my closest friends invited me to Destiny Harvest Church for an event. I remember the day was October 20, 2012. When she invited me I was excited, almost expectant and I didn't know why. I don't even remember what they were talking about at the event but the way they talked about Jesus was a way I've never heard anybody talk about Him. They just talked about relationship and how God wants a personal relationship with us and how He sacrificed His son for Us. My mind was literally blown like who is God. When I asked that question God immediately began to work on my heart. I was wrecked, I was balling so hard and I hate crying but I was Undone! I needed to give my life to Jesus Christ, I needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Once I abandoned myself to God I was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit. Not only was I filled with the Holy Spirit but I received my tongues. Ever since then my uphill roller coaster began. It has been SO worth IT!!! Like I've never felt empty, my drive is for people to experience the Love of God. When people are going through depression, lack of identity, and are living life dead on the inside, They need to know Jesus came so that we would have life abundantly!! When I got saved I was on Fire for God. I didn't care what anybody said and I still done. Nobody can tell me my encounters with God aren't real. Everything He has told me has come to pass! The way He loves on me there is nothing like it, no person or thing can fill the void. People need to get Hip to Jesus. My worst day with Jesus will always be better than my best day without Him. I can't go back!
-Mayowa A.