A Child Prepared to Teach

By Deniece London

Deniece London faced many difficult challenges as a child, growing up without a father present and being raised by her single mother, who was sent to prison. She encountered depression, getting involved with drugs and entering bad relationships, which only made things worse. But Deniece kept a journal of all the obstacles she faced, hoping her life would change. Deniece rededicated her life to Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, followed His leading, and became a high school teacher at a low-income area school to assist the youth on how to overcome challenges like she did. She understands that we "overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11). While traveling around the world, Deniece wrote A Child Prepared to Teach, which is a compilation of stories from her transparent, real, and raw perspective in hopes to transform people's lives through the love, redemption, and hope of Jesus Christ. In a world of so much cover-up and denial of experience this book is so refreshing. If you have a story and if you have gone through challenging days, you will find this book inspirational and confirming. Deniece London has excelled through many obstacles in her life. Most of us hide our stories and protect our pains. But here in this intriguing book, Deniece spares no pain to bring the reader into her life. Through significant family drama, moving from one state to another to find stability, Deniece perseveres. Perhaps that is the theme of this book-perseverance. No matter how many times you get knocked down and pushed back, stand up tall. There is always another move to make. Read and rejoice with me as you read this epic tale of perseverance. Bishop Alexis A. Thomas

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 4, 2017
• ISBN: 9781635758788

Book preview

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A Child Prepared to

Teach

Deniece London

ISBN 978-1-63575-877-1 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63575-878-8 (Digital)

Copyright © 2017 by Deniece London

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

296 Chestnut Street

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible.

The original journal entries were used and not edited intentionally in order to keep their authenticity and impact.

Printed in the United States of America

Testimonials

During my high school years, I had the honor to meet an inspiring lady, Professor London. She pushed her students to do better; well, at least I know she pushed me. Professor made sure her students obtained the knowledge of all the content that was being taught. As much as I did not care about business or economics, she managed to make it interesting. She did not just lecture and sit behind a desk all day; she was hands-on with her lessons. Not only was she there for my education, but she was like a mentor. I never really told her this, but I looked up to Professor. She inspired me to be a better me. If it was not for Professor, I wouldn’t have had pursued a career in education. I always wanted to be a teacher, but she topped it off. She cared for her students and was not there for the checks. This is the type of teacher I aspire to be. I just want to thank Professor, my former teacher, for everything she has done. The value of education you have instilled in me and my peers shall never depart from me.

B. Hines

Professor London,

Where do I start? Which of the many amazing stories and memories with you? Before you came into my life, I was filled with sorrow, and I was very unhappy with myself. You helped me heal an open wound I had with my father’s passing. You inspired me with your positive attitude that you had every day. I could tell that you gave your life to Jesus, and He led your way. I feel very thankful because you helped me ask my mother for forgiveness and move on from all the hate I felt toward her. You are my role model. I always wanted to make you proud in high school because I know you wanted me to be successful. Thank you for all the conversations you shared, but most importantly, thank you for showing me the love you have for me. You didn’t only impact my life but my whole family. We are very grateful for you. You are an amazing woman.

A. Sanchez

To my husband, who heard my testimony the first day we met. He didn’t judge me, but he recognized the new me. I love you!

Foreword

A Child Prepared to Teach is a wonderful journey of a little girl who became a woman, and she shares all of who she is with others to guide them into becoming all they were created to be and do. Deniece London is a strong, intelligent, and dedicated woman who, through many difficult life experiences, learned many lessons along the way and realized that there is more to life than what you see. Deniece did not let a boatload of ups and downs nor twists and turns keep her from her destiny. There were a number of strenuous situations she was born into, and others she created for herself, but this woman continued to drive on and kept moving forward. I am in awe of her tenacity and her awareness at such a young age of the grown-up and chaotic world around her.

There are many who would have given up, blamed their current situation on others, and stopped there. Deniece did not. There was no stopping this train. You can remove the tracks, and she will still come up with a plan and work her way out. She was willing to pause temporarily, rebuild the tracks, lay out a new route, and restart her engine. Deniece let every difficulty be a stepping-stone to take her higher and closer to where she wanted to be. I am so proud of this young lady—her life example and how she continues to trust God and defy all odds. She lives her life knowing that with God, all things are possible to those who believe.

The lesson learned throughout this book, influenced by Deniece’s life, is to never stop looking beyond your present. There is so much more in store for each and every person if the individual is dedicated to doing the work.

I am honored that she allowed me to be a part of this chapter in her life. I have watched her become a wife and mother and live her life as a daughter of the King should. I am looking forward to seeing the fruition of this project and many thereafter. Her life and her Father God surely have prepared her not only to teach but to bring into manifestation that which He has created her to do. I am also thankful to Deniece for her obedience to the Father, to be so open, honest, and transparent to share her experiences that others may know that where someone is now does not have to be the end of his or her story. There is more to life than they see. Prepare yourself for more. Let every life experience be a lesson to get you where you want and are intended to be.

Dr. Kristie Moreland

Introduction

Preparation in Disguise

As I sit here in a foreign country, I reminisce on how God has tremendously prepared me for such a mighty task as this. I’ve been blessed with this opportunity to teach juniors and seniors government and history. In fact, I am the only Arizona State University class of 2007 student performing my student teaching in Europe this year. I’ve been to numerous countries already and can’t wait to explore more.

You may think that this opportunity was easy to obtain, or I have parents who were able to pay all the expenses necessary to travel to a foreign country and reside here for six months. None of these plausible solutions were the answers to how I ended up here. I will explain how I got here later in the book.

As I think about the ample amount of tragedies I encountered throughout the twenty-six years of my life, I fall in love with Jesus all over again. However, that hasn’t always been the case. Just so you know, I’ve always been extremely analytical and posed many questions. I wondered, Why didn’t I come from a two-parent home? Why did I do drugs? Why did I drink alcohol so heavily? Why didn’t my father show me he loved me? Why was I a stripper? And what did I do to deserve this type of life? As I take you on this journey throughout my life, you will probably laugh, shout, scream, and some may cry. These situations prepared me with the necessary skills needed to fulfill my purpose. I will provide more revelation that the Lord has given me on why these situations occurred.

Lastly, I know that one of these situations hits home for you. Now, it may not be the exact situation, but this book will empower and encourage you to look beyond your past. It will allow God to use your past so that He can get the glory and praise. Our past should not hinder our lives but allow us to learn, excel, and receive the promises God has promised our ancestors. Deuteronomy 7:13 declares that He will love you and bless you and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land. . . that you would be blessed above all other people. He will not let any sickness or disease come upon you, and your children shall be blessed.

I am here to tell you that the enemy wants us to be ashamed and afraid to tell others what has happened to us because we hold some title or reputation. The enemy tries to use these same tactics to attempt to keep us locked into our past, but praise be to God. Revelation 12:11 declares that we overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and the words of our testimony . . . Remember, God can use anybody or anything.

For example, in Mathew 21:1–11, Jesus entered Jerusalem and sent two of his servants to obtain an ass and a colt. Jesus told them if anyone questioned them, to let the people know that the Lord had need of them. The ass and the colt were tied together just like Jesus said. They were used to fulfill a prophecy.

God used an ass to fulfill the task at hand too. Nowadays, some people fail to see the people God used in the Bible to do His works. Some were weak, young, abused, small, bitter, criminals, and prostitutes.

For example, Paul the apostle was once Saul, and he persecuted God’s people. He was a murderer. Yet Paul wrote the majority of the New Testament, speaking to people, showing them how to live according to God’s Word. In addition, Jacob was a trickster. He used his hustling skills to receive his brother’s birthright and blessing. His actions showed he was a mama’s boy who deceived his own father. He was deceitful and selfish. Eventually, Jacob was able to apologize to his brother, Esau, who forgave him. Jacob was now able to live out his birthright according to God’s will.

I’m not sure why people believe that Christians haven’t ever been through anything or did anything wrong. Some think that we came out of our mother’s womb speaking in tongues and praising Jesus. Well, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He still uses people who’ve made some mistakes. We must speak out and lead others to Christ. We need to release the memories that have been holding us back. Let God use us to increase His kingdom. The time is now. No one knows the day or hour, but we must be ready (Luke 12:35-36).

So, as you join me on this journey, pay attention to my mind-set. You will be reading some of my actual journals that I wrote while I experienced these situations. Don’t worry, we will take some stops along the way and analyze. Watch how God moved in my life. If He can deliver me, He surely can deliver you. If you don’t know Jesus Christ as Lord of your life and you believe that He is your Savior, that He died on the cross and rose again so that you could have