If you met Kelly today you’d meet someone full of joy who can’t stop talking about Jesus. But this wasn’t always the case. Battling depression, drugs and chaos, Kelly hit rock bottom. Then an Eden team told her about Jesus and it all changed.
‘I grew up in a big family. And when I say big, I mean BIG. There are around 100 of us, and loads of us call South Bank in Middlesbrough home which I love, but unfortunately arguments, getting in trouble with the police and bad decisions mean that we’re well known on the estate.
‘Growing up, home life was hard. Mum and Dad loved me, but their relationship was violent and I saw things no kid should have to. This massively affected me. I’d easily get angry and frustrated, and ended up getting kicked out of school when I was just 12.
‘When I was 16, I gave birth to my eldest son. I loved him more than I knew was possible, but being a teen mum was tough. Thankfully I had my parents’ help. A couple of years later, my brother fell in with the wrong crowd and started taking drugs. I watched him change before my eyes, sinking deeper into trouble and I was unable to do anything to help him. As the drugs took hold, my brother tragically took another guy’s life and went to prison. It was then my life changed.
‘My family used to be known for chaos and causing trouble but I believe God’s changing our story’
‘My parents split up. Dad moved overseas and my mum started self-harming, turning to alcohol and drugs just to get through the days. My support was gone and the depression I’d struggled with as a teenager took hold. It was like the lights had gone out. I sank into a dark place and was trapped there for years feeling lost.
‘Life had to carry on and I had four more children who were such a blessing to me.
‘Coming home from hospital after giving birth to my second son, Riaz, I just knew something wasn’t right. He struggled to eat and was in constant pain. Despite taking him back to the doctors more times than I can remember, they said he was fine. But over time it became clear this wasn’t the case. They found he had a number of serious medical needs and would need full-time care.
‘Caring for Riaz and my other kids pushed me to my limits and I was also trapped in a violent relationship that I couldn’t escape from. To cope, I took cocaine and quickly found myself relying on it to get through the days, thankfully, my ex got bored and ended our relationship.
‘Around this time, loads of people started telling me about a place called The Open Well that ran events every Tuesday on the estate. I knew it was run by the Eden South Bank team, and even though I wasn’t interested in Jesus, I wanted to see what happened there.
‘As I walked in, I got a warm welcome and started chatting to Krista (the Eden team leader) who told me not only what was going on but a bit about Jesus too. A few days later, Riaz suddenly became really ill and was rushed into hospital where they found he had sepsis. As the doctors told me they weren’t sure if he would survive, Riaz’s heart stopped and he crashed.
‘In the corridor outside his room, I collapsed to my hands and knees and cried out to God to save my boy. I also grabbed my phone and called Krista and my cousin asking them both to pray too. God heard our prayers, and the doctors were able to stabilise Riaz (something they didn’t think was possible).
‘Sitting by Riaz’s bedside in intensive care, I knew I needed to know more about God. How had he healed my son? So, on my next free Tuesday night, I headed to The Open Well and listened as people shared about Jesus and his love. From there, I was at The Open Well every week. A few weeks later, they were having an open mic night where people could share their testimonies. As I sat in my seat I knew I needed to go up (something I wouldn’t normally do).
‘As I shared how God had saved Riaz’s life, it all clicked into place. I knew I was loved by Jesus and couldn’t live without him. That night I gave my life to God!
‘I felt alive for the first time in a long time and haven’t looked back since. I loved Jesus and knew I had to be all in, living every day for him so I made some big changes in my life such as giving up drugs.
‘Jesus means everything to me and more’
‘As I read my Bible, prayed and chatted to the Eden team about Jesus, I could feel myself changing. What surprised me most was that people around me saw the change too. I remember neighbours stopping me in the street asking what had happened to me as I was different. Me, Kelly, from ‘the family’ known for causing trouble!
‘From that day onwards, I’ve wanted everyone to know how much Jesus loves them, and haven’t been able to stop talking about him since, whether I’m with family, spending time with friends or helping out in The Open Well. So when I got the chance to become part of the Eden team I jumped at it.
‘At the same time, God’s been doing amazing things in my family. Four family members have been baptised, including Riaz, who, even though he’s non-verbal, was able to tell us how much he loves Jesus and that he wanted to be baptised! As he got into the baptism pool, he was so excited that he couldn’t wait to be lowered into the water and dunked his own head under!
‘My family used to be known for chaos and causing trouble but I believe God’s changing our story.
‘Jesus means everything to me and more. Without him I wouldn’t be here. Yes, there are still tough days, but I know Jesus is with me and I never face anything alone.’
Find out more about Eden here.
