family placed her in a childless couple's home because she cried when her stomach growled from hunger, which was often: "Little girl, I don't want to hear any crying. Your mother has so many children. She needs help. You will be one less mouth for her to feed." I wanted to cry and scream. I wanted to run and hit her. I wanted to say, I don't care if I starve to death. Leave me alone. Let me stay with my Mama. But I know my Mama would have said, You have to go, child. Everything is going to be all right. Like Joseph in the Bible, Esther remembered God and His incredible love, enabling her to endure severe abuse, both physical and mental. Esther was denied a basic education and time to socialize with her friends, as her "master" considered household duties more essential. Despite these deprivations, Esther learned the importance of hard work and responsibility. As a young adult, Esther temporarily abandoned God, and suffered the consequences of a self-filled life. Her longing for happiness prompted her courageous journey to the United States, where she battled many disappointments and heartaches, and eventually rediscovered the God of her parents. Esther realized God had never abandoned her, but had led her through many raging storms.

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