At the age of 5, a little girl from Wabasso, Florida had a dream of becoming an attorney, simply so she could have a career to make enough money to travel the world.
That little girl grew into a young lady who was able to achieve success through elementary, middle school and high school. However, her life took a slight turn when she became pregnant and had a child at the age of 16.
Determined not to let that stop her, she knew who she could turn to to draw strength from to help her make it through this challenging time.
Having grown up in church, with her dad being a Pastor and her mother a minister, she was taught that “she could do all things through Christ who gives her strength!” So as a future litigator, she negotiated a deal with God. She promised God if He would help her navigate the challenges of raising a daughter while attending college and law school; help her to pass the bar and become an attorney; she would serve him for the rest of her life and give back to other young ladies who face those same challenges. Little did she know that God would allow her fulfill her dream of becoming an attorney but would also call her to an area of ministry that allows her to travel the world fulfilling the Great Commission. She made that promise over 25 years ago and God kept His end of the bargain now it is time for her to keep hers.
I am grateful for the vision that God gave me over 25 years ago to build a home for teen moms who are in need of a safe environment to raise their children and continue to obtain their education so they can build a better life for their child.
Allow me to show you the manifestation of that dream!
It is my sincere honor to introduce you to Laila’s Place of Hope, Inc., a non-profit organization that is providing housing and educational resources for teen moms. Our first project is a home for teen moms in Abeokuta, Nigeria, in collaboration with Bishop Alex and Leah Abiola, Missionaries of the Church of God, Cleveland Tennessee. Look what the Lord has done. He took an experience that I was once ashamed of and used it for His glory!
Dr. Tara McIntosh-Horne