Sixteen-year-old Jera Keithley receives a hug following testimony of surviving sexual abuse at the hands of her father that she gave to the congregation at Corinth Baptist Church in Dew, Texas on Sunday, March 19, 2017.
Jera Keithley with her mother, Tanya, and pastor, Brother Carl Clark.
Sunday was an exciting and very emotional day for 16-year-old Jera Keithley as she gave the first public presentation of her personal testimony of having survived sexual abuse at the hands of her father.
Jera, also known as Bear by her family and close friends, took the first huge step toward following her calling by speaking her story out loud in front of a packed house at Corinth Baptist Church in Dew.
She described the horror, terror, shame, and guilt she felt by what she had gone through, then for having to tell her mom what had being going on for so long.
“It was pure hell,” Jera says. “I was so scared. Scared that she would be angry with me. How do you tell your mom that someone she loves hurt you, and her? And then, she didn’t believe me.”
She goes on to say, “I just wanted someone to hold me and tell me it would all be ok, and I had no one. I began cutting myself and asking God to take me. People were being so cruel and hateful to me because of what they had read in the papers. I wanted to kill myself.”
“During the trial, Chris Martin asked me if I still loved my dad,” Jera continues. “I said YES! He’s my dad. How can I not? But, I realized then, that I had forgiven him. I had finally let it go and let God take over. God is the one who held me and brought me through this time.”
She concludes by saying, “I just want you to know, God is there with you no matter what you’re going through. I want to be a voice for others who are going through what I’ve been through, just like my angel was my voice when I had none.”
Jera’s mom, Tanya, also gave her testimony saying, “This was not my plan, but my daughter’s desire. During the time we have been preparing for this day, it has become my desire as well.”
Tanya goes on to tell her story of grief, anger, disbelief and then finally realizing that Jera was telling the truth and that she needed to be there for her.
“I couldn’t believe we had become THAT family,” she says. “I was angry, hateful. At first I didn’t believe her, then I didn’t know what to believe. How did I not know? How did I not believe my own child?”
She continues saying, “I wanted to die. But if I left, I would be leaving her to fight a battle on her own.”
“For 50 years God has been fighting for me. He’s been ever loving, ever patient, and ever present,” Tanya concludes. “Against All Odds, I’m still here; and Jera and I are stronger than ever; so is our relationship. I want you to know that you don’t have to wait 50 years to know the Lord.”
Jera has plans to continue taking her message far and wide; to churches, schools, and anywhere else they will allow her to tell her story. She’s one brave young lady, or as her mother likes to call her, a warrior.
Jera and Tanya personally thanked everyone for attending the service and for all of the support they have received from their family, friends, and the community.
You can follow their journey on Facebook at www.facebook.com/againstallodds.jt.
Thank you, Jera and Tanya, for sharing your story and allowing me to be a part of it.
(Photos by Nichole Schaefer)
