Almina Francis
THROUGH HELL AND HIGH WATERS is a true account based on the life of Almina Rose Francis. Her story tells of the struggles and difficulties she faced growing up in rural Jamaica, surrounded by abject poverty.
Here she tells her story of triumph over adversity and her fight for survival in the midst of extreme hardship, along with the critical illness of her only daughter. She also shares her supernatural encounters and incredible journey to discover her faith in God. Her quest to understand God versus poverty sent her on a long and arduous voyage to discover how her life fitted into God’s plan.
Her story has unearthed some painful memories, but it has allowed her to revisit her past, in the hope that those who have been traumatized by poverty, heartbreak and sexual abuse will experience healing and restoration. Her only daughter’s arrival from the brink of death shows the all surpassing mercy and faithfulness of God. The author’s story shows her strength of character and sincere devotion to God.
Almina’s life now mirrors the overflow of God’s abundance and a peace that she had never known before. She is not easily phased by the present overriding situations as her experiences had taught her that God is sufficient to bring her through Hell and High Waters.
Almina Rose Francis was born 1959 in the district of Mount Industry, Jamaica. She is the sixth of nine children. Her life has borne witness to poverty and social depravation.
At thirteen years old Almina suffered sexual abuse which shattered her world. She later became a Christian and attended her local Baptist Church.
Haunted by emotional abuse and facial disfigurement, Almina plunged into an ocean of despair. Nevertheless, she managed to bounce back with a tenacious determination to overcome the obstacles that faced her.
Almina’s only daughter, Tamara, was diagnosed with a rare and incurable illness called Autoimmune Chronic Hepatitis. This resulted in liver failure and was given only weeks to live. Watching the incredible suffering her daughter endured, Almina found herself faced with yet another traumatic ordeal. Despite all this, and the recent liver transplantation of her daughter, Almina learnt to rely completely on God.
Although it has been very difficult to revisit her past, Almina shares her moving and heartrending story of triumph over tragedy and hope against despair.
Almina has a daughter called Tamara, two foster children and her nephew, Keiron, who also lives with her. She currently resides in Birmingham, England, is a deacon of Beacon Evangelical Church and has ministered in churches both in Jamaica and England. She studied Theology and worked as a teacher in Jamaica.
A book alone could not hold the many memories and experiences of the author’s life story, but her account is a cocktail of sadness, humor and enduring strength.
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1 Destined for Trials
CHAPTER ONE
Destined for Trials
It all began on April 14, 1959 in Jamaica. A sixth child was born to social injustice, poverty and deprivation. Yet again, another child, born in the slums of despair and inequality with no foreseeable future. A slave to her brutal environment and a shadow in the dark, lost and forgotten by a country that yields much, yet gives little to the rural areas. Despite this, the atmosphere in her small community was filled with optimism, laughter and fun, as people learnt to be content with the little they had. There was a strong bond of friendship and generosity amongst both the adults and children, as they supported each other during the difficult times. Who else is there to hold on to when poverty grips you with both hands and tries to strangle you of precious life? Nevertheless, there is still the whisper of a GOD who fights back and stands in your defense.
The island of Jamaica was beautiful with many hills, mountains and clear blue seas. Its luscious sceneries, tropical weather and warm and friendly inhabitants attracted people from many different countries, yet the economic situation meant that people from the rural areas would miss out on important opportunities. In a small community that was quiet and peaceful, this child became another victim of poverty and emotional trauma.
She faced a dismal future and such thoughts had ravaged her trust in a god that seemed so distant and passionless. There was nothing much to look forward to and little to believe in, yet the answers to her problems lay in the redemptive power of God. This she would later discover as she traveled life’s treacherous pathway. Her family’s only source of hope and comfort were Bible studies and daily prayers, which were introduced to her in a way that she dared not resist. Singing and praying were the norm, as both young and old sought refuge from the daily struggles of life, in the only One who creates life itself, GOD.
It was extremely difficult growing up in an environment that seemed so right, yet was so wrong. Everything appeared perfect as most people got on with their lives, doing their usual activities. Many mothers kept themselves busy in the kitchen whilst their husbands went to the fields to cultivate the crops. Youngsters got on with their busy schedules, sweeping the yard, fetching water from the tank or streams or collecting food from the fields. Despite this, people still found time to play games and have fun. Life went on as normal. Hardly anyone complained about their predicament, there was no public protest against the oppression, and only SURVIVAL became the main focus of the day. Still, this little girl could not be contented. Each day as the sun set and the moon shone in the pitch darkness, she gazed at the sky and said to herself, “There has to be more to life than this.”
Through Hell And High Waters Life seemed normal in the earlier years of her life. However, the grim reality of inferiority complex hit her like a brick in the face, as she stood in the company of her school friends one day, only to discover that she was the only one without shoes. Looking down at her feet made her want to disappear below the earth, as she noticed the dust from the sun-parched soil coated around her toes. This wasn’t unusual in her community, yet the embarrassment sent shock waves down her spine and gave her a distaste for poverty and an overwhelming desire to resist it in every way, shape or form. This young girl had a mother that loved, and a father who cared, yet their busy lives in the fields had distracted them from seeing the invisible tears, so frequently shed. Despite this, there was no one to blame, as this legacy had been passed down to her through the generations.
This, however, didn’t remedy the situation as she was left to tolerate illiteracy, arrogance and insensitivity, which rubbed shoulders together and created havoc in her life. Her other siblings were no better off than she was. Hard labor in the fields and the heat from the glaring sun made their lives unbearable. Poverty and hardship had ruined their hopes of an early escape from their torturous lifestyle, yet their trust in God was steadfast. This child’s belief in God, however, was unsteady, as she needed some more answers for the misery that had become her constant companion.
Her self-esteem and confidence were sometimes low, and she fought hard to unravel the unfairness of life. How she wished there were no fields to go to and no tanks to draw water from.
