Crystal's Story

I know one day we are going to have stories of victories but I also know there are stories out there of great failures, tragedies, painful moments, sorrows and great losses. Sometimes we tend to forget as daughters of the living Jesus Christ that we will not go through such things, but in fact we all do. NO ONE is exempt from it.
The Bible tells us in John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
Romans 8:28 says "And we know that ALL things (including the bad things) work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

This is why this ministry is called Young Ladies of Valor, Grace and Beauty, because it take courage to speak up about our painful circumstances that we go through and I know this story will minister to a young lady out there and encourage her that she too can rise above this with Christ that overcame all. Today our guest is the lovely Crystal Segura from the church in Live Oak, Florida.

Being raised in church would make you think that everything in life has always been perfect. That no one could ever hurt you. Or that Christ favors you over someone else. I've debated whether to share this or not due to the fear of being seen differently or judged but I trust you all. My testimony may not be what you expect. Or easy to speak about, but I pray it encourages someone.

I was born on March 24th, 1993. My parents had just gotten married. My mom was 15 and dad was 21. My dad was a drunk/druggie. And well my mom, was a teen mom. At 11 months, I was diagnosed with leukemia. I guess you could say that's the reason why my parents are in church now. I became cancer free and my parents gave their lives to God. I grew up in Crescent City church and moved to Live Oak at 9 years old when my dad was called to be a pastor. I moved to a city where I knew no one. I would get picked on for being Hispanic since it was basically a hick town. We were able to find a home here and I eventually got used to school. But one day my little brother, Jacob, was sick and he couldn't ride the bus home with me. We still had to walk about a mile to get home after getting dropped off by the bus so I had to walk home alone. No problem right? I was maybe half way there when a car pulled up behind me and I instantly got a deep horrible feeling that something wasn't right. I froze. A man got out and forced himself onto me. I thank God for giving me the strength to fight him off but he had already felt me up. I'm sorry for saying it like this but I can't find the right words to describe it. Everything became blank. All I remember now is sitting in the bathroom and crying for hours and hours. It was my fault. Maybe if my skirt had been longer he wouldn't have stopped. I've carried this for years and never told anyone. I felt disgusting.

About two years later, I started dating a guy that called himself a Christian. It was all perfect but then he started to change. I would get yelled at, bossed around and eventually he began hitting me. Why is it that everything bad had to happen to me? I stayed in that relationship for two years. He left me. I was nothing now. I had never had a good relationship with my parents. I guess I just grew apart. Why me? The cutting, the attempts went on for years. I know this may sound unbelievable. "No way Pastor Segura's daughter is so messed up!" I can't lie. It's still a healing process. Every time I go to a different district service or camp, I hope and pray that it's the one for me. There are days where it all comes back and it feels unbearable. But I know deep down that God feels my hurt. I know He didn't want me to feel what I've felt. But I know it's all for a purpose. I won't lie, I still don't understand the reason why this happened. All I know is that if I'm still here, it's because He hasn't forgotten me. God bless.

Crystal, we thank you for your courage to share your story with us. We love you so much! You are in our prayers and we know that one day soon you'll be able to write own Letter of Victory and share it with us!