Acknowledgments

This is my “life verse” through which the Holy Spirit constantly encourages me in reaching out to those who are suffering:

The Spirit of . . . the LORD has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners. (Isaiah 61:1)

I thank God for all the individuals, churches, and organizations that helped me along the way. Together we are rescuing one life at a time. Most of all, I’m grateful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God the Father, and his precious Holy Spirit who leads and guides me daily into all my activities.

I want to give special thanks to:

• My mother, Ella, who always loved me and never gave up on me. And because of her love and example, we never give up on our girls here either.
• My brother, Daniel, who has been a source of strength to me.
• My daughter, Diana, who has been and is my inspiration.
• My son, Kipper, whom God used to bring me back to himself.
• My wonderful coauthor and teacher, Cecil Murphey, without whom this book would not be possible. His consistent love and care for me and my family have truly made a difference in my life and now in the lives of many other survivors through the use of this book and more to come.
• Billy Graham, for leading me to my wonderful Savior, my first love, the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Deidre Knight, our literary agent, and Vicki Crumpton, our editor. Both have been so encouraging to me.
• Steve Lawson, for making all this possible by connecting me with Cecil.
• To all of the wonderful participants in our program, There Is H.O.P.E. For Me, Inc., who have overcome so much—this book is for you.
• My wonderful mentors and supporters who have traveled this road with me and helped and encouraged me so much along the way: Dr. Siegfried Wiessner, Dr. Roza Pati, and Dr. Rev. Raul Fernandez-Calienes from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami. Your tireless and consistent encouragements have helped more than you can imagine. St. Thomas was the place where I learned and experienced that I had the right to dignity and respect. My speaking and writing career began there.
• David Batstone, founder of Not For Sale, who inspired me through his book Not for Sale.
• Rachel Lloyd, Girls Empowering Mentoring Services, NY, for helping and now mentoring me along the way into survivor leadership.
• Women in Distress of Broward County.
• The Heath Evans Foundation.
• Marti Wibbles, Palm Beach Counseling.
• Dr. Dustin Berna, my PhD committee chair; my committee members, Dr. Lenore Walker and Dr. Robin Cooper; and many Nova Southeastern University professors without whom my PhD and academic learning in excellence would not have been possible.
• Carmen Pino, Supervisory Agent in Charge, Department of Homeland Security.
• Alan Santiago and Jose Olivera, Supervisory Special Agents, Federal Bureau of Investigation, without whom I would not have been given an opportunity to see how beneficial law enforcement could be.
• Trinity International University, South Florida Campus.
• The people of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Hollywood, Florida, who loved me when I needed it most.
• I am grateful to my sisters in Christ who have suffered before me in domestic violence but lovingly cared enough to show me the way out.
• To all There Is H.O.P.E. For Me, Inc. board members, past and present, and our many volunteers, donors, and supporters who encouraged me and my work all along the way.
• To my many friends, spiritual leaders, and encouragers: thank you. Without you, many times I would have fallen into despair.