19 Years Old and 19 Men Later
When I graduated high school in 2001 and went off to college, I would have never believed I would become a prostitute. But that’s exactly what ended up happening.
I was excited to go away to school because it seemed more interesting than staying home and going to community college. While there I enjoyed the college scene: the parties, the freedom, and the opportunity to get a higher education. Going away to college was one of my greatest accomplishments and graduating was my number one goal.
Ill-prepared for college
But somehow I was ill-prepared for what was about to happen. My first semester I found out I was pregnant, and my second semester I started to party wildly all the time, and my third semester I figured I really just wanted three things: to make money, have nice things, and be “happy”. After talking to some guys on campus who worked at a local strip club, I figured becoming an exotic dancer was the easiest way to get all three.
One of the guys’ father owned the strip club. He was driving a nice BMW and had all the latest electronics: flat screen TVs, state of the art computers, everything I could have ever dreamed of. Soon I was at the club checking it out. Once I looked around and thought about all the things I could buy with the money I said, “I’ll try it out”. And after a couple of weekends I got the hang of it. But that was only the beginning, because I kept talking to people and got in deeper and deeper into making fast money. Not long after I started, I began “taking dates” which is prostituting.
But about nine months later, my life was about to take an unexpected 180 degree turn when Jesus stepped in.
I never would have expected …
One of my guys put a down payment on a car for me, but I had to get money for the car payment and the down payment for the insurance. I was returning to my car when a pearl colored, late model Lincoln towncar pulled next to me. There was a 50-something year old white guy in the car. We made small talk and he invited me to have lunch with him. I got into his car and we went to a diner around the corner. We talked, laughed, and ate. At the end of the meal he invited me to join him at his church’s Wednesday Night Bible Study. I felt like I just got caught selling drugs to an undercover cop, but I agreed to go. That night at church God dealt with me about all that I had been doing. And I always stood on the excuses, “God knows my heart. I’m a good person. I have to eat” but I knew that enough was enough. I went to the altar and gave my life to Jesus Christ. That was July 2003.
I was very excited by the choice I made and I told all my friends and my family. I also told the guys who would call me for dates that I was no longer into that because I was living my life as a Christian. I did my best to figure out how I was going to pay for the car but I could not afford it so I returned it to the dealer. I cut all ties with working at the club so I didn’t have a job. On a daily basis I read my Bible, prayed, and believed that God would work it out. And eventually God did.
My new life
After the three semesters away from home at college, I returned to go to a local community college instead. I completed one semester there and then was unable to get to the campus because I did not have a car. But I kept the faith that better days were ahead and everything would be okay. Even with my newly acquired trust in God I still found myself confused, depressed, and worried. I was confused because I thought that if I just prayed and believed everything would be a bed of roses but that was not the case. I felt depressed about the circumstances in my life not having some of the material things I felt I needed. And I was worried because I had no idea how things were going to get back on track.
The end of August rolled around and I did not have a car so I did not enroll in college. I got a job in the dining hall at the Naval base in the next town over but I had a hard time find a ride to work so after a month or so I quit. I felt confident that things were going to get better so I continued to go to church, kept reading the Word, kept praying and trusting Him.
In February of the next year I got an inheritance check in the mail from the death of my grandmother so I was able to buy a car and return to school. In May 2007 I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. I now work in the healthcare industry and my car is running fine!
You can know this changed life too
I am looking forward to publishing my testimony in a book entitled, 19 Years Old and 19 Men Later: How Someone Truly Loved Me and hopefully it will open doors for me to speak to young people and all types of people to encourage them to give their hearts to Jesus Christ and not to chase material things because it’s a dead end. It doesn’t mean your life will become a bed of roses but trusting God and what Jesus did for us will transform your life and save you from your sins.
Have you been chasing material things? Have you had enough of your current life? Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Exciting? Frustrating? Anxious? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?
Living with hope
If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you’ll experience life to the fullest.
If you have prayed this prayer, we would like to hear from you! Please click the button below to contact us, or click the link if you still have questions.
Sheraya,
Thanks for commenting. I’m glad that you are praying and reading the Word. Some scriptures that I find helpful when that happens are Phil 3:13-14, Eph 6:11-18, II Cor 10:3-6. Also the group Mary Mary has a song and the chorus is, “I just can’t give up now. I’ve come to far from where I started from. Nobody told me that the road would be easy and I don’t believe He’s brought me this far to leave me.” Those are some things that help me and I’m confident they’ll help you. God bless and I’m praying for you Sis.
May god continue to bless you sister. This testimony meant alot to me as I can relate to your story. This testimony just shed a new light in my life because I’ve always been the type to shy away from god until recently. I never liked reading the bible because I didnt think it would have any meaning in my life. At this present time, I read the bible twice a day and pray constantly. Sometimes I feel like giving up on praying and just go back to the old me, but there’s always something inside of me that wont allow me to give up so easily. Tenisha your message has made me realize that we all have a past and by the grace god we can be renewed and live a righteous path.
Thank you for sharing this message :-)
Great testimony..I’ve known Jesus and believed Him all my life..but I’ve still had some ups and downs and my down was having lust for physical intimacy with my boyfriend in freshman year..
I’ve felt so guilty because of all the grace He had given me but I haven’t returned His love with something good
I haven’t lost my virginity and my boyfriend and I are both glad that God has let us realize even before that happened.
I’m glad you’ve met Christ and I am more encouraged by your testimony to return to Him. Thank you so much :)
Lol. Hey Fred, I’m going to have to clear up the age discrepancy from here on out. Its so good to here from you!!! I thank you for being a godly witness to me!!! I will stop by GAP to see you soon. Stay blessed and keep on doing great work for the Lord.
Hey tenisha I am 47 now .But when I met you I was A rough 40 because I was a lost man until Jesus foumd me . I am not offended that you thought I was fifty something . I am glad that God did use me to take you to Church that wednesday night at Grace and peace . I am so happy for you.
Love your brother in Christ
Fred
God Bless you Tenisha! I purchased your book when you were @ The Word Shop Parable Christian store in Toms River – a wonderful testimony of God’s love & grace – thank you for writing your heartfelt story – may the power of the Holy Spirit continue to lead & guide you always!
u knw this is the most inspiering story i have ever hered. at the moment um in university and um sponsered by department of education (bursary). um coming from a poor family and the are so many challenges that i come across as a young beautifull girl. but since bcos um a christian i managed to response positively to all of the challenges. through prayer evrything is possible.
This is just another example of works possible through God’s love and Grace. At 18 I was pregnant, best friend dead of a nightclub fight and my new husband selling drugs. Living the high life…but I was so lost and unhappy that I tried to kill myself. Through the persistent and patient prayer of my parents, his parents and friends we came back to Christ. Our kids are grown now and we are still happily married, I struggle with my faith at times but I know that God loves me unconditionally and I love too. Only because of his grace did we straighten out, choose to change our life slowly , bit by bit and happily raise our wonderful children within our church community. We hope to have opportunities now to go out and share the WORD with others in whatever way God calls us.
Glory be to God for saying your life through His son Jesus Christ.I believe that you will continue to grow in Him and finally be with Him in heaven,AMEN.
Kiki, what a powerful testimony of the saving grace of God. That is a true miracle that the police found you. God Bless you. And congratulations on your new life in Christ. I love the part where you say, “If you can prevent one girl from going down our path, than to me it was worth it.” That is so True. Each and Every ONE!!! I thank you for that powerful word.
Ochanya, I look forward to meeting you one day. I love the people of Africa, they hold a very special place in my heart. I will be there soon enough.
Grateful, Thank you :-)
God bless you for writing such an inspirational piece. I can relate to your story. Coming from a shady past, I also did exceptional in school. All my life people focused on how pretty I was instead of my accomplishments. But I hung around the wrong friends and met my first drug dealer. I found myself being a trophy for him. I got everything I could have ever imagined. I continued to go to nursing school. After him I began to get addicted to the lifestyle. So all I dated was drug dealers and gang bangers. I guess the money and the excitement is what I liked. I ended up with the wrong one. At first it was alright, then he began to beat me often.I finally decided to leave him and focus on me. I came to God the night he kidnapped me and tried to kill me. I new God when I was younger, but had strayed away. Beaten, raped, going in and out of consciousness, and locked in a trunk of a car, I began to say Psalms 21. Even though I was torn an broken, I never stopped praying. After what seemed like hours He got stopped by the cops for his tail light. I began to yell and scream. The police officer found me. My ex is in jail for the next 15 years. I am married now and a successful nurse. The choices I have made still effect my life. If you can prevent one girl from going down our path, than to me it was worth it. No matter how many pages it may be. Tell our story… Tell it for the ones who didn’t make it… Who didn’t change their life… Continue to do God’s work and he will bless you.
Well i’m reading this testimony almost like months later, but i could not help but be touched, im from Nigeria in Africa but its amazing how the situations are similar. I thank God you found Him and im looking forward to inviting over to Nigeria one day when the time is right to talk to the girls so they will know the world is round. God bless you.
P.S. I love that shirt you have on!!!!!!!!
Nothing is impossible for GOD Tenisha. Thise is an awesome testimony. I’m glad that you shared it with us. Always go back to the source when things are good or bad which is GOD. Keep the Lord first in your life and everything else will follow. You already have the confirmation of what GOD can do so continue to ask GOD for wisdom and guidance throughout this journey called life.
Mimi thank you so much for that word. I released “19 Years Old and 19 Men Later: How Someone Truly Loved Me” last week. I’ve been doing what you suggested and to God be the Glory doors are opening up. I was even invited to speak at an NAACP event this weekend! God bless and I thank everyone for their prayers and support. God is Truly Amazing!!
Hi Tenisha:
First and foremost,”May God continue to Bless you”. You have a story that needs to be shared, please continue your journey spreading the good news of what Jesus Christ has done for you.
Your experience was not a good experience but you learned from it and it lead you to the Lord. This is the message that I encourage you to continue to share especially with today’s youth. Please reach out to some of the churches and talk with some of the youth groups, and some of the community centers. Take care and keep the faith and remember God has all of the power.
I had an amazing time on the radio last night. If anyone missed my interview you can go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/evangelist-davis to listen to it. Thank you.
Reena, Thank you. That is my goal that young people will hear my testimony and believe in Jesus Christ. I Love Him so much.
I also want to let everyone know that on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 7 pm EST I will be interviewed on Blog Talk Radio about my new book,”19 Years Old and 19 Men Later: How Someone Truly Loved Me”. So call in at 7 pm to listen, ask questions, or make comments 917-889-2731. Let’s Praise Him in Advance!! God Bless.
May God bless u Tanisha abundantly. Let this testimony be read by many youngsters. It is such an age where they are confused about what they want. It is good that u found Jesus and were honestly seeking him even in your dire circumstances. May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ touch many more life thru your testimony.
What an amazing story Anna. I am so happy for you and your relationship. I like the part where you say you were “praying earnestly and believing in Him” that is so Important. I thank God for the answered prayers of the righteous. God Bless.
hi tenisha, praise God for his enduring love, i may not have been there but i know the lure of money, it makes us gals do crazy things, luring us from
God. I found my faith 6 years ago and after praying earnestly and believing in Him i thank God for answering my prayers, single with a five year old daughter my life has not been easy. but now am happy in my job am reconciled with my family and recently the Lord blessed me with the relationship I have been Praying for. i thank God that Jesus came to save the “prostitutes and tax payers” …..
Thank you so much. God bless you too. I thank Him for everything He has done in my life. He has truly brought me a mighty long way. What a mighty God we serve!
Am not the same after your testimony. May God bless you always.
The book has 192 pages. There are pictures and it should be a quick-easy read. I also narrate the audio version which is about 3 hours long. So there’s something for everyone, I like to think.
The book is 192 pages. It has pictures and should be a quick- easy read. I also narrate the audio version which is about 3 hours long.
make the story short. it becomes lousy to read if it takes too long
Thank you so much Ang. God bless you too. I look forward to lives being changed by the awesome power of God. And I look forward to people overcoming their situations by the power of our testimony. To God be the glory.
Hi Tenisha, God Bless you for sharing and hopefully many will read and change their life, Jesus who died on the cross will always be with you and he promissed because he is faithful. You life will be full of meaning and peace which no world can offer. God Bless you
Thank you for the encouragement and thank you for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it. God Bless.
Thanks so much for your wonderful testimony. I’ve never been where you used to be, but I can see how many who read this will find the encouragement they need to break the awful cycle that they are caught in. I just wanted to drop you a line because of the previous comment – I don’t want you to get discouraged. You may never know how many people will read this & not want to leave a comment but were blessed by you all the same.
Cat, that was my thinking when I started but actually being in the club was dangerous. I would be there ALONE late at night because I didn’t want to tell anyone what I was doing. Being by myself in a club with many drunk men touching all over me all night, and then having to walk to my car at night was terrifying.
I thought the girls were paying their way through college but once I got in I wanted the finer things in life and college took the back seat. I don’t think many of the girls graduate.
But today I value my body as a PRICELESS TREASURE. No Mercedes Benz or No mansion could ever pay for the beautiful temple God has given me. I would never put a price on my body like that again. He will always make a way for us to pay for everything we need.
I figure, you do what you have to to pay the bills. I mean, it’s great that you found something you like better, but I have a lot of respect for the folks who put themselves through school that way. I know what people say, but it strikes me as better money than the crummy factory jobs I used to work, and leaves a heckuva lot more time for school work.