The Fires of Oppression

Kia's Story

Over the past two years, at One Village Group we have had the opportunity to work with some amazing missionaries from around the globe. Following is the personal story of just one of these missionaries - Kia Shingles in Clarkston, GA.

Kia has passed through fires of great Oppression in her life, but now gives God all the glory telling people, "He was just preparing me for the work He has for me to do today..."

Kia will be working with the Christian Women's Job Corps, planting a new site for them in Clarkston, GA.

At One Village Group we are working with Kia on her marketing, communications, and fund raising to make sure her mission is seen by people just like you.

Click here to get a sneak peak at the Blog Page we are building for her.

Here is Kia's Story:

My Early Years

I was born into a Muslim extremist cult in New York City. We lived in a compound with armed guards stationed at the gate to keep others out and to keep us in.

My father left the cult before I was born.

At the age of two, I was separated from my mother and only allowed to see her on Friday afternoons for a few hours.

At the age of 10, my mother was moved to another of the cult's locations and I didn't see her again until I was 29.

High School Dropout

At age 10, I was put into public school where I started learning to speak and read English for the first time. Until then, Arabic was the only language we were allowed to speak or read.

Three months before my high school graduation, the cult leader ordered me to drop out of school. He told me I didn’t need a diploma.

I didn’t understand it then, but I do now. He didn’t want me to get a diploma because it might help me get free from his grip.

Broken and Lost

At 18, I was forced to become one of the cult leader's women. I became pregnant and gave birth to his son.

By 23, I was broken—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I lived in constant fear. I was afraid to stay in the cult, but even more terrified to leave.

I had never been to a grocery store. I didn’t know how banks worked. I had never used public transportation, never been to a laundromat, never visited a doctor or a dentist.

I had no Social Security number, no government ID, and I didn’t know how to drive.

I had been taught the police were my enemies and the government was against me.

The Cult leaders made sure I had no social, emotional, or physical tools that might loosen their control over me.

The Escape

At 28, I learned my mother had left the cult. A year later, I made my decision to leave and find her.

I talked a woman into smuggling my son and I out of the compound in her car.

I still remember the fear as my son and I hid under piles of clothes on the back floorboard of her car as we were smuggled out past the armed guards.

It was dangerous and terrifying, but by that time, I had decided I would rather be dead then keep on living in the cult.

Learning How to...

My mother took my son and I in and began the long process of teaching us how to live in the real world.

She showed me how to cook, how to do laundry. She taught me how to use public transportation, how to clean house and make a bed.

All things I was not allowed to do in the cult.

She helped me obtain a Social Security number and government ID. She guided me through getting my GED.

She took me to a grocery store for the first time in my life. She taught me about life and gave me the skills to survive.

And then, Jesus happened. But that’s another amazing story!

Fires of Oppression

Isaiah 43 speaks to my deliverance from the cult:

1 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior… You are honored, and I love you.
5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you…

In my life I HAVE gone through rivers of difficulties and fires of oppression, and by the grace of God, I was NOT consumed - I was Redeemed!!!

Uniquely Qualified to Serve

I couldn’t see it at that time, but the hand of God protected me through the first 29 years of my life as he was molding me into a person who is uniquely qualified to speak into the lives of marginalized and abused women and men.

Just like Joseph, what others meant for evil against me, God has turned to good!

Because of my past experiences in life, I know intimately what its like to live on the margins—to exist in fear, oppression, and hopelessness for years on end.

It literally breaks my heart to see others trapped in that same darkness.

I want them to have the same freedom that I have found!

CWJC

That is why I am so excited about bringing Christian Women’s Job Corps to Clarkston, GA.

Christian Women’s Job Corps offers a loving community where at-risk women (and men) can discover that God loves them and has never given up on them.

Every year, CWJC helps thousands of women earn their GEDs, learn English, learn to read, learn to navigate access to healthcare, learn how to open a bank account, and so much more.

As the director of the new Clarkston site for CWJC, I will be free to share the same hope and faith that has restored my life to me and made me free!

Learn more about CWJC.