It was paying off. By the time I was a teenager, I was the lead singer on many songs in my church choir. In addition, I did back up vocals for local New York City rap artists and continued to audition in hopes of becoming a part of a group. I still can’t figure it out even today, but I never wanted to be the lead.

In my mid-teens I joined civil rights leader and radio pioneer Bob Law’, Harlem based, Respect Yourself Youth Choir. That was wonderful--a dream come true. The choir afforded me the opportunity to travel and meet so many people in the entertainment industry. I was on my way.
However, by the time I was 16 years old; I became a mother and fell in love with a man a few years my senior. Years passed by, and we became parents again, got married and eventually I gave up my love and passion for performing to focus on my new love--being a wife and mother.
After years of emotional, physical, and verbal abuse, I finally ended my marriage. My exodus wasn’t planned. After a vicious beating that led to my arrest (at my former husband insistence), I prayed to God and heard an audible voice that asked, “Are you ready to Leave the Wilderness?” Several days later, I packed up my children and left. I had no plan and nowhere to go. We were immediately homeless.

In October 2001, I suffered a mild heart attack, which propelled me into a state of deep depression. Throughout the years, I always held onto hope. I always felt that it was just a matter of time before things would get better for the children and me. However, the years of abuse had taken a tremendous toll on me. My mind, body, and spirit were tired. Following my illness, I had convinced myself that I was going to die and I lost my will to live. The enemy was attacking me.
One evening, while I was lying on my bed, I felt a sudden urge to write. It was forceful and immediately I began to sit up. I decided to write a memoir--what I thought would be a final gift. Sort of like a legacy to leave behind for my children. Oh, but God! The writing became therapy. Writing about my pain began to give me healing. I can still feel that moment--the liberation. The pain was suddenly transforming into power. I showed the first few chapters to a few friends. After my close girlfriend, Roxanne read a few chapters; I felt empowered and was ready to share my story with the world.

Less than five months later, Leaving the Wilderness, my debut novel was birthed! Immediately the book received many accolades from the publishing industry. I received an invitation to speak at a women’s event and the response was overwhelming. Women lined up after hearing me speak just to share their obstacles and stories. I was not alone. God had begun to show me the need for battered women to hear my testimony. My story, as well as, my survival was much bigger than just me!

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1

In 2004, I founded Leave the Wilderness, an organization dedicated to aiding and uplifting battered women and their children. A year later, God gave me a vision to present Leaving the Wilderness the stage production. Many women were delivered from abuse after witnessing the play. The star-studded production also received rave reviews. The Lord continued to bless me with other opportunities to share my testimony and empower women. I was entrusted to host a television show on FOX, The Tonya Blount Show. The show provided me another opportunity to uplift and empower an audience of nearly a half-a-million women. Look at God!

Nearly four years had passed since the release of my first book. I now had two published books. I had suddenly lost my father, my uncle (who was like a brother to me) and my beloved godmother, all within six months of each other. All unexpectedly. I was emotional and spiritually drained and was growing weary of leaving my children to speak. I felt I was ready to close the book on my past with my former husband. I was ready for whatever was next.

Shortly thereafter, I received an e-mail from my former husband informing me that he had cancer. God directed me to take my children to visit with him. While driving there I began to talk with God. He reminded me that although I spoke to battered women about escaping their abusive relationships, I couldn’t testify on forgiveness! For a few weeks, I drove back and forth to visit him, oftentimes, without the children. I took care of him, prayed for him, and loved him--limitless--the way that Christ loves us. I forgave him.

God had given me the next phase of my assignment: Testify to battered women on forgiving their abusers. Glory to God!

I have seen my ministry grow tremendously. I have been asked to minister to the women in Uganda, Africa. In February 2009, I released my spiritual memoir, “The Resurrection of Me,” the memoir has landed on BCNC National Christian Bestselling list for three consecutive months since its release. Through my organization, I will continue sponsoring events that benefit battered women across the globe. My organization will also begin awarding a scholarship to a domestic violence survivor yearly. I know that this is my calling--healing, empowering, and aiding abused women. What a wonderful way to live -- to share, witness and feed the lambs.

Elder Tonya Blount is our Believe I'll Testify columnist, which will not only shed light on the dark issue of domestic violence, but provide solutions to those in this unfortunate circumstance. To learn more about Tonya, visit her official website http://www.theresurrectionofme.wordpress.com/ or www.myspace.com/tonyablount.