Najla’s search for love eventually landed her in prison where she found the greatest love of all.
My search for love led me down a dark path, one full of run-ins with the law. To love and be loved are at the core of a person’s humanity. We seek to love others and have others love us just the same. I was no different growing up on Long Island.
But my path led to a federal prison sentence. There, in one of the darkest places imaginable, I saw the light of Jesus Christ. He met me in my brokenness. He changed my heart and my story.
SEARCHING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES
My childhood seemed normal. Both of my parents worked as they raised me and my siblings.
I eventually learned life wasn’t as it seemed. My dad struggled with alcohol, and he did his best to keep it hidden. In addition, I experienced abuse from my mother.
This left a hole in my heart, one that only love could fill. But I wasn’t getting it from my parents. So I often ran away from home. I believed chasing after men and money would make me whole.
I often stole when I ran away. Food, clothes, it didn’t matter—I did what I needed to survive. This led to me getting arrested and cycling in and out of juvenile detention centers beginning when I was 12. After one arrest, my grandma picked me up and didn’t take me home. Instead, we went to Florida.
Things went well for a time after arriving in the Sunshine State. I went back to school, but my promiscuity didn’t stop. As a result, I became pregnant at 16.
For many women, being a mother gives meaning to their lives and fills them up in immeasurable ways. The same couldn’t be said for me when I had my daughter. I still felt empty. I felt I needed more. So I began stealing again and also committed fraud.
My actions resulted in an 18-month prison sentence. I had no place to go and no family around, and my daughter was not in my arms.
That’s when God showed up and poured out His love in ways that only He could do.
CREATED FOR MORE
My parents weren’t Christians, and we only went to church on Easter and Mother’s Day. So as you can imagine, going to church while in prison was a change for me.
Volunteers would come in and do Bible study. Quite frankly, I was amazed at what was happening because I was doing things I had never done in the past like going to church and participating in Bible studies.
As my time in prison came to a close, it hit me: God created me for something more. He changed my heart and my whole mindset.
Getting out of prison didn’t mean life was going to be easy. In fact, it very much wasn’t. I couldn’t find a job or a place to live. I moved multiple times and eventually landed in Atlanta.
Following my childhood interest in beauty, I earned a cosmetology license and opened a skincare studio. It was a huge blessing, as I had extended conversations with women who opened up about their life experiences. It made me realize it was time to tell my story.
But how and where would I do that?
MY PASSIONS
I found Prison Fellowship® during my search. Its mission appealed to me, so I entered my information.
I am now a Justice Ambassador. I do it because I have a passion for helping people, especially those who are trying to find their way after being released from prison. To that end, I want to learn more about the law and how it impacts those with a criminal record. I want to use my experience and my voice to advocate for change. I also have dreams of starting a nonprofit geared toward helping at-risk teens and young women.
Today, I am a flight attendant and attend Victory World Church in Atlanta. I was rebaptized this year and have dreams of being involved in the church’s prison ministry. Because helping kids is one of my passions, I also want to participate in Angel Tree® this year.
When I left prison, I received a second chance. My experience taught me that everybody deserves a second chance. That belief is core to who I am. And that’s why I aim to help others make the most of their second chance at life.
RAISE YOUR VOICE!
We encourage Christians who are experienced in advocacy, looking to learn more, or interested in increasing their involvement to apply to the Justice Ambassador program. Justice Ambassadors’ voices can be an effective tool to inspire the Church, change the culture, and advance justice that restores.
Become a Justice Ambassador with Prison Fellowship today!
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