Today we’d like to introduce you to Yodeline Jean.
Hi Yodeline, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story
My name is Yodeline, I was born in Miami Florida September 11, 2001. My parents were immigrants from Haiti, but I got separated from them due to an earthquake in 2010. Growing up, the household I grew up in didn’t talk much about faith. They said they were Christians but not in action. We didn’t go to church, we didn’t talk about Jesus and the idea of a loving God wasn’t something I was familiar with. Life was often chaotic, we didn’t have a lot and I always felt like something was missing but I couldn’t quite figure out what it was.
That all started to change when my family moved to Indiana. Initially I was going to move with them but they allowed me to stay in Florida with my older sister, who was in college and had just gotten an apartment. In that time I witnessed her faithfulness to Jesus because she’d become a Christian herself. I also met this wonderful Christian couple, Mr. and Mrs. Ashe, who lived down the street from us. The Ashes always had a warm smile and a kind word for everyone. They invited me over for dinner one evening, and that simple gesture opened the door to a whole new world for me. It wasn’t just the food or the engaging conversations; it was the way they genuinely cared for me. They made me feel seen, heard and loved in a way I hadn’t experienced before.
The Ashes often talked about their faith, but they never pushed it on me. They invited me to their family outings and would encourage me with scripture whenever I would talk to them about my problems. At this time I also began going to church with them but I was not usually paying attention but instead hiding out in the bathroom to do my homework. They would encourage me to come and be present for the services. At first, I was just curious. But as I listened to the sermons and watched the people around me worship God, I started to feel something stir inside. There was a peace and joy in that place that I wanted to understand. However, because I had levels of fear and unbelief I didn’t want to surrender.
One night, after a particularly tough day, I found myself alone in the bathroom, overwhelmed with emotions. I had just found out that one of my siblings in Indiana was in the hospital, on the verge of death. At that moment, I did something I’d never done before: I prayed. I didn’t know all the right words, but I just poured out my heart to God. I asked Him if He was real, if He loved me, would he please save her life. I told Him if he did, I would serve Him. I heard a small voice say “I’m not just going to save her tonight”.
As I stood there, I felt a presence like a wind surrounding me, in that small space. It was like a warm embrace, comforting and reassuring. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and love that brought me to tears. I knew, without a doubt, that I had encountered God. It was real, and it was powerful.
From that night on, everything changed. I started reading the Bible more. I was attending church regularly and worshiping with everyone. The Ashes became like spiritual parents to me, guiding and supporting me in my new faith journey. They showed me what it meant to follow Christ not just with words but with actions.
Looking back, I can see how God used the Ashes to reach out to me. Their love and kindness were a reflection of His love for me. My life has been transformed, and I now know that God has a purpose for me. Even though my journey started in an unexpected place— in a bathroom—I’m grateful for every step that led me to Him.
Today, I continue to grow in my relationship with Christ, and I share my story with others through social media, in hopes that they too can experience the incredible love and joy that I have found in Him.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been a smooth road, the main struggle was getting over my fear of people knowing I had a public social media account.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in sharing helpful tips and advice to my audience on how to live for God as a young Gen Z aged believer!
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is being able to say I did everything my Father had in store for me to do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yodelinelight
