Sexually abused by her father for many years, Yvonne Ellis was ostracised from her family for telling the truth. She was taken into the care system at thirteen years old and found herself entering into a world of dysfunction, despair, and confusion. Labelled a 'problem child,' she battled with many emotions—inferiority, depression, heartbreak. By the time she was fourteen, she was walking down the road of self-destruction. Abusing drugs, self-harming, and fighting became commonplace. By the time Yvonne left the care system, she was sixteen and pregnant. After Yvonne's relationship with her child's father crumbles, she doesn't expect to find love again. But when Ryan enters her life, Yvonne cannot deny the instant connection they share. The two begin dating and fall in love. Ryan soon asks Yvonne to be his wife. Hardly believing her life could have taken such a dramatic turn for the better, Yvonne accepts. She and Ryan begin their life together and soon add a baby girl to their family. But when Yvonne's first child brings allegations against Ryan that coincidentally resemble those Yvonne brought against her own father years before, Yvonne's happy family is torn apart. Will the claims against Ryan prove to be true? Can Yvonne survive yet another heartbreak? Pain, betrayal, and finding God mark the incredible journey Yvonne embarked on, beginning at a painfully young age. Find out how Yvonne overcomes in her tragic yet inspiring memoir Daughter, Arise: A Journey from Devastation to Restoration.

More than just a simple chronology of dates and facts, this touching biography about the author's beloved mother, Kakki, captures both her spirit and her heart and demonstrates how any person is really an extraordinary person. It presents a lively account of a warmly human woman living an ordinary life with its good times and bad times and dealing with whatever life gives her. These remarkable stories span five decades of life shared by mother and daughter. The retelling of the mother/daughter role reversal that occurred after Kakki's manifestation of Alzheimer's is handled with grace and dignity. A woman with both a strong moral compass and firm Christian beliefs, Kakki leaves an incredible legacy for her child. A fluid and natural storyteller, C.D. Collins shares what she has learned about the human heart and its resilience in this unique memoir of a well-loved mother, whose example made a strong case for motherhood being the highest calling of all.

This remarkable life story tells of one woman's battle to turn from a life of terror into the woman God destined her to become. Barbara survived a childhood of trauma and abuse only to find herself battling to overcome her dysfunctional past and generational curses handed down to her. Through her faith in the Lord, regardless of the many setbacks and continuous battles with issues from her past, layer by layer, the Lord redeemed her from the distorted, “ugly” reflection she saw in her mirror every day. Remarkably, she survived multiple suicide attempts and she has found laughter and light at the end of her ordeal. Now she wants to share her journey with others who need to know God has a destiny for everyone.Truth and transparency found within this book produces an awe-inspiring transformation and testimony to healing through the Lord. It is designed to encourage the reader to embark on their own path to healing by acknowledging one's past, reflecting one's personal struggles, and being brave enough to face the “inner” battles in order to bring forth freedom and new life.

What is the reality of being African, woman, and Christian? In this collection of original essays, African women theologians write about the life and dreams, the sorrows and joys of African women in a continent where religion shapes the whole of life. The first two parts of the book describe the role of women in terms of culture, rites of passage, and daily life. Attitudes toward birthing and naming, marriage and widowhood, polygamy, prostitution, and death are all explored. The third part focuses on the church, reviewing biblical attitudes toward women, and showing how African women can and should contribute to the life of the Christian church. Contributors: Musimbi R. A. Kanyoro Mercy Amba Oduyoye Rosemary N. Edet Anne Nasimiyu-Wasike Daisy N. Nwachuku Rabiatu Ammah Judith Mbula Bahemuka Lloyda Fanusie Bernadette Mbuy Beya Teresa M. Hinga Anne Nachisale Musopole R. Modupe Owanikin Teresa Okure ÒThe themes in 'The Will to Arise' constitute the base of contemporary African women's theological scholarship. . . . At their most creative, these theologians affirm cultural traditions and criticize their failings, in order to lead the reader to new visions that can renew religious life in our various contexts. --from the Foreword by Katie G. Cannon

This book is written for all the women in the world who are challenging life's struggles through addiction, single parenting, broken marriages, low self-esteem and loneliness. My daughter, just know that you can arise from any situation that may come your way. Remember that you are not alone. You can be healed. Daughters, arise...from the bitterness of pain and discomfort that tries to overtake you. Daughters, arise...from the abuse, the suffering and disappointments that life can sometime present to you. Daughters, arise...from the bad relationships and hardships that can cause you to never love again. Daughters, arise...from the low self-esteem and the bad attitudes which have caused you to become bitter towards your family and friends. Daughters, arise...from the guilt. Don't feel like you won't be forgiven just because you made a mistake. Daughters, arise...from loneliness and separation that keeps you bound and confused. Daughters, arise...from thinking and believing that you're are not beautiful and no one will ever love you. Daughters, arise...from thinking that you cannot be a successful parent because you are alone. Daughters, arise...do not drown in the sea of sorrow and heavy burdens that seem to press you down. Daughters, arise...keep swimming until you reach the top in order to be saved. Daughters, arise!

GANGS: 50+ Stories of Fractured Lives: Joining a gang is an easy way to destroy a life. But when teens refuse to listen to the authority figures who do their best to prevent this life altering decision, do we just give up? ARISE says No! The best way to get a messages across to teens is for them to hear it from each other. Gangs: 50+ Stories of Fractured Lives contains firsthand stories of how dangerous life in a gang really is. Each story was handpicked to illustrate a critical point. Topics range from the disastrous effects gang life has on someone's family members to how easy it is to lose your life to gang violence. The stories illustrate, using plaintive, stark language, how easy it is to get caught up in the endless cycle of revenge that gang members live in every day.