Dear Pastor,

Almost everyday I log on to the Internet to read your column and I am requesting that you pray for me. I am a 21-year-old female living in London, England.

At age 11, my aunt took me from Jamaica with the intention of adopting me. I did not get along with some of her children even though only one was living at home at the time. I must say that I was a good student who completed my GCSE's with 11 A to B grades. Whenever I asked my aunt about my legal documents she would tell me that I should not worry as she has everything under control.

However, my aunt had a nervous breakdown when I was 15 years old and her daughter (who does not like me), amongst others, blamed me for her breakdown. I applied to go to college with the intention of studying my A'levels and going on to medical school.

Cancel the application

One of my cousins informed me that my aunt gave me a not-so-nice 18th birthday present a day or so before my birthday. Whilst processing my university application at the age of 18, I enquired about my passport. My aunt told me that I can go for it at the solicitor's office. And she gave me an address. I went to pick up my passport and when I got there the receptionist informed me that my passport had never been left at the office because as soon as my aunt and uncle dropped it off, my aunt phoned to cancel the application.

Pastor, I have a long story to tell but to cut it short, I later found out that my aunt suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and she has had numerous breakdowns before I even entered this country. Most of the family knew about this, even my uncle, but still didn't take steps to ensure that my documents were being sorted out.

Stressed

So I am stuck in a foreign country moving from family home to family home. When they first took me in, it was all nice and pleasant but when they began to get stressed, they took it out on me, someone who can't do much about it. I thought I received some luck when another cousin decided to sponsor me. My passport is now at the home office awaiting a decision. Now, pastor, my cousin is getting married and has told me that she needs the space for her guests when they come over. Her grand-daughter also is planning to stay there too.

Prior to this conversation, I was told that she felt uncomfortable with me living in her house, but she won't kick me out as I have nowhere to go. I had only been there for about a year at the time. I am very grateful for those who have helped me in my time of need. I also blame myself for not being more inquisitive but you know the old Jamaican saying "children must be seen and not heard".

I am now looking for somewhere to stay with the help of a guy I am seeing. You are probably asking about my mother and father. But I grew up with my grandparents who passed away. I could not even have attended their funeral. My father died when my mother was about 5 months pregnant with me. I could go on and on, but I need some prayer so that I can hear from these people about my documents as I am unable to attend university and work.

Please pray for me. Looking forward to hearing from you.

G.M., London, England

Dear G.M.,

I am sure that your aunt had good intentions. Unfortunately, she is not very well. I do hope that other relatives would try to help you. You are bouncing around but you will overcome the difficulties that you face. You will, my dear, you will.

Ask the Jamaican community to assist you. Call the Jamaican High Commission in London and ask to speak to the High Commissioner or write him a letter and explain your situation to him.

Pastor