Every person has a story—and every story has the power to inspire change. FIRST FOLKS is a series celebrating the people of First Baptist who are bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to Richmond and beyond (KOH2RVA).
CREDIT: Erich Bridges
You can find Lakeyisha Adams helping out downstairs these days at Richmond’s First Baptist Community Missions—one of an increasing number of clients who have become enthusiastic volunteers.
Lakeyisha has a mischievous smile and quick laugh. You’d never guess she’s endured an almost unimaginable series of personal losses. Now 34, she was born in rural Halifax County, Va., the youngest of seven siblings. A star student, she graduated high school early and won a full university scholarship—the first member of her family to attend college. But her mother had a debilitating stroke, so Lakeyisha dropped out of school to care for her.
Over the years that followed, she lost both of her parents—and all six of her siblings—to illness and violence. The most recent was her twin sister, who died earlier this year of HIV/AIDS.
“The reason I’m homeless and going through this isn’t because of drugs or none of that,” she says. “Funerals are expensive. And I had no hope. I really don’t know how I made it here to meet y’all, because I’ve never been homeless before. I’ve never been someone that needed help and I didn’t even know how to ask. A lot of people directed me here and I met Alphonso (another regular client). He showed me this church, and then I met Miss Lisa (Kirk, a longtime Compassion volunteer). She’s been like a mother figure to me.”
She enjoys helping others, but admits to struggling over the years with despair, suicidal thoughts and anger with God.
”I’m not gonna lie. I blamed Him. I couldn’t figure out why He would take everyone and leave me. I know better now. To be here today, to make it through, that was God. He never, ever put me through nothing I couldn’t bear.”
She lived in a tent for a while, but now she’s moved into a small trailer, so things are looking up. Her hope for the future? “I just want to make my mom and them proud,” Lakeyisha says. “She always told us to treat people how you want to be treated. And for my future, I just want to get back to being that person I knew she was proud of. Y’all are my favorite church. I enjoy coming here. I appreciate everything you do for me.”