Deana-Kay Thomas is, today, a motivational speaker, an ordained evangelist, and a member of the Church of the United Missions (Beulah).
Also a youth president, counsellor, and educator, she is living a fulfilled life, a far cry from the person she was.
She was born and raised in the community of Payne Land in Kingston, but was separated from her family. This caused her to live her life in constant fear.
“Fear of returning to Payne Land; fear of what my family would do should they find out what was really happening to me. Fear of what the lady witch would do. I was paralysed with fear, and because of that fear, I masked my emotions and hid my true feelings. I told no one what I was going through. I was always smiling,” she shared with Freedom Come Rain.
Thomas revealed that, to the outside world, she looked like a happy child, but inside she was dying. She shared that she did not want to open “Pandora’s Box.”
“I developed low self-esteem, which influenced every decision I made. I was afraid of looking in the mirror. I saw myself as ugly. I was afraid that the mirror would confirm what I felt about myself—that I was indeed ugly,” she pointed out.
Solace for Thomas was school, and, according to her, it proved to be an escape route from the harsh realities she had to face in her life. She read a lot of books, and her imagination would take her to other countries where she found the happiness she could not find in the real world. In her dreams, she was always the heroine in her stories. Nancy Drew was her favourite.
Reflecting on the life she had growing up, Thomas said no child should ever have to go through what she went through.
“But God was working anyhow; I did not always see it then, but looking back, I can see the hand of God guiding my life. He taught me to endure, and today I can say that if God did it for me, He can do it for anyone. Blessed be the name of the Lord,” were her words of triumph.
Thomas has chosen to capture some of what she went through growing up in a book entitled Behind the Perfect Picture. She said the goal is to bring awareness to parents and family members “to not give away their child to anyone.”
“It does not matter how kind they are to you. We see and know people for years, but we can never underestimate the intentions of their hearts. I was abused, but my journey from brokenness to being whole positioned me to become a social worker. Even though I had experienced pain, hurt, abuse, and trauma, I must say that I have learned a lot of lessons,” she noted. She informed us that she now takes life one step at a time by walking in humility and the fear of God.
Thomas said she has let go of the past and is embracing what is to come.
“I learned to forgive and love unconditionally. I cried my heart out to God to carry me through my darkest times.”
Sharing how she got the courage to overcome and let go of the past, she said it took a long time as there were many things that triggered the trauma and abuse.
However, she said time really does heal, and as the years went by, she was delivered through the Word of God and prayer.
Commenting on her book, Thomas said she wants those who went through what she did to acknowledge the traumas and challenges, even if they are uncomfortable. She stated that doing so will allow the healing process to begin so they can move forward.
“Also, persist through adversity. Despite facing fear, trauma, and abuse, with God’s grace, you will ultimately triumph over adversity. Remember that difficult times don’t last forever, and your resilience can lead to victory. Don’t forget to lean on faith,” as she stressed that they are important elements in navigating life’s challenges.
Her words of wisdom to people were that they should embrace the process, understanding that setbacks and attacks from the enemy are part of a larger process leading to your purpose in life.
Thomas, who lost her mother at age eight, grew up with her father. She attended Portia Simpson Basic School, then Tavares Gardens Primary, and her secondary education was completed at Haile Selassie High School. Thomas later attended the Jamaica Theological Seminary, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in social work.
She quotes Matthew 6:33—“But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto to you”—as her foundation for living on earth.
“My passion has not only opened uncommon doors of favour, but it has made me a force to be reckoned with in the kingdom of God. I am passionate about the things of God, and I love to preach the word of God, especially to young people. I love to sing and dance for the Lord as well,” she concluded.