From Sorrows To Sapphires

Angela  K.  Williams,  a   veteran  Georgia Real Estate Broker,  is  a  national  advocate  against child sexual abuse.    She   is    the    founder   of   the   V.O. I. C.E.  (www.voicetoday.org)  a    movement   to   break  the  silence    barriers    of    Incest    and    Child    Sexual Abuse.  She is a volunteer withSafepath, a community child-advocacy    center   and   trained  facilitator with Darkness to Light, teaching a seven-step child sexual abuse prevention program.

She and her husband Phillip are the parents of Ashley and Jacob and reside in Marietta, Georgia.

"Break The Silence!"

Hosted on streaming internet radio broadcast:
www.praise991.com
Wednesday mornings at 10 am & 8pm Eastern Standard Time!

Be ready to call in:
1.888.220.2034

Personal Testimony

It is with great joy and anticipation that I return the Balancing Demands Retreat at Callaway Gardens to my annual calendar. You see, this retreat has changed my life by giving me an opportunity to bask in God’s presence, without the kids yelling, the phone ringing, and the dryer buzzing. I have attended this retreat faithfully since 1997 and was heart broken when I attended what we thought was the last one. However, God spoke to my spirit and said someone will pick up the torch and this beautiful ministry will continue because women so desperately need this opportunity to praise God, to listen to God and to learn from some of the most anointed women in the world. I thank Traci Alexander with Mylonn Ministries for her obedience to answer the call to continue this ministry so we all can be blessed.

In 1997, I attended Callaway with a group in my church.  I was a broken women dealing with the enormous pain of incest with my stepfather from age 3 to 17.  I remember singing the song, in the 6th row seat to the left of the huge conference room that we fought to grab, “Victory In Jesus.” My heart was so heavy, but I felt His arms around me and I didn’t know what victory looked like, or felt like, but I knew all things were possible the closer I walked to Jesus. I had walked at a guilty distance from God, feeling the shame and abuse I suffered somehow made me unclean and unworthy to be close to God. I took my earthly father's sin and anchored those feeling to my heavenly Father. At that moment, Jesus took me in His arms and held me tight.  He brought me year, after year, after year, closer to Him.  

In 2003, I was sitting in the chapel in the gardens.  God audibly spoke to me, “Right Now.” I questioned God, confused, so then, listened again.  I heard, “Write Now,” and I again questioned, and I heard, “Write Now, Right Now.” God had been calling me for years to write a book to break the silence of incest and share my testimony. To make a very long story short - I battled God in fear the entire weekend.  Before I left the Inn on Sunday He arranged a coincidental meeting with a stranger who ended up being the best friend of an estranged Aunt who had passed away.  Her words to me sent shivers down my spine – “Betty died with one regret, she NEVER FINISHED HER BOOK.” I said, “Yes God, I will return home and write the book.” In May of 2008, I held the first copy and cried.

I credit the "Balancing The Demands of Life" Retreat as a vehicle God used for a catalyst in my healing and in giving me the foundation of biblical teaching to publish, “From Sorrows To Sapphires,” to start the Voice Today Ministry.  Just this past month He has opened the door to hosting a weekly radio show called, “Break The Silence.” This retreat has truly changed my life. In my years of enjoying my annual vacation with God, I have learned that God loves me, He is good and He is in Control.

Book Reviews

"A must read! Eye-opening, gripping, heart-breaking yet truthful! One of the most insidious crimes that a child could ever endure. The courage to write this book is commendable, as it begins to break the silence of incest for all children. If you work with, care for, or have children, you need to educate yourself about the impact of incest on the most innocent victims of all - our children. Public awareness and education begin within these pages. We all have a part to play in breaking the silence and shame surrounding child sexual abuse. This book will make a difference!"
--Jinger Robins, M.A.
Executive Director
Children's Advocacy Center
Marietta

"Rare, riveting reading, Williams powerfully shouts that a tsunami of child sexual abuse has broken across America. She knows as an incest victim; she poignantly paints her struggle as a survivor; she urgently leads as a victor. This is a must-read for anyone who leads at any level -- home, neighborhood, community, state or nation. Packed with relevant data yet crafted intimately ....It takes some courage to read; imagine what it took for her to write!"
--Michael Richardson
Author and Journalist
St. Petersburg

"Thank you, Angela Williams, for writing a book for every young woman of high school age and above! After over 30 years of National Pro-Family work with young women, I am aware of hundreds of thousands of young women victimized by sexual abusers on many different levels. They are broken people, and incest is often the breaking point. You didn't just tell your story, but you offer hope and help to hurting young women and men who desperately need it. You give insight, candid description, and key resources and safe places to contact. You captured my heart when you said, 'God's grace won't take you beyond His mercy.' I was captivated from page 1 to the end."
--Rosemary A. Meyer
National Pro-Family Advocate
Indianapolis

Angie's childhood was torn to shreds at age 4 by a child abuser. This honest, raw, very personal story will touch your heart and soul. You will want to cry, scream, pray, and ultimately cheer for Angie as she wages battle with the demon that has haunted her life. A must read for those who have been touched by abuse and a real eye opener for those who have not. Buy this book now. You won't regret it.
--Donna DonFrancesco
Medical Systems Executive
Marietta

Angela Williams has opened her heart with all of the pain, the shame, the heartache, and the secrets she suffered. She has laid it out for all to see with honesty and openess that is rare. With the healing that she has received, she offers the hope and the help to others who have been burdened with a painful and shameful past. The very things that could have been kept her in bondage, have been used by God to show that freedom is available and life once scarred can have beauty and purpose!
--Dottie Poythress
The Bookmark
Marietta, Georgia

It took great courage for Ms. Williams to write this book. She digs deeply within herself and doesn't hold anything back. I was deeply impressed by the fact that she brought out the way victims learn to become manipulative in order to survive. She did a good job of explaining why relationships are so difficult for victims of child molestation. As a Victim Advocate, this book gave me more insight into the reasoning process that shapes the lives of many of the victims I serve. It is well worth reading.
--Debra P. Coody