Matauka’s hope story: “God brought me here”

How God’s love and the kindness of friends like you led Matauka to our doors

When Matauka moved to the U.S. from Zambia, her future was filled with hope and promise. She fell in love, got married and had a daughter. But sadly, her marriage ended in divorce, and she lost a grueling custody battle over her daughter.

To support herself, Matauka came to New York City in search of a secure job. But she struggled to find steady work and had trouble paying rent. For over a year, she was constantly on the move, with no place to call home — sometimes renting a room, sometimes staying with a relative. After running out of options, Matauka slept in the laundry room of an apartment building where she had previously stayed. This stressful situation triggered a seizure. She went to the hospital and was discharged in the wee hours of the morning.

With no home to return to, Matauka explains what was on her mind at that time: “I was thinking to myself, ‘I’m going to the beach. If the water comes, I’m just going to lie down. Whatever happens, happens.’ Because I was just tired.” But then she changed her mind — she felt led to go to her church. There, a kind member of the church gave her the number for The Bowery Mission.

A dream come true: Safety and support in community

Matauka first came to us for emergency shelter. Even though she needed a place to stay, as a single woman, she was concerned for her safety. She shares, “But when I got to the Mission, I really felt safe and secure. I was so happy. I was so grateful.”

While there, our staff explained to Matauka the various programs we offer to help our neighbors in need heal and move from crisis to stability. This includes counseling, vocational training, life skills classes, and housing connections. She thought, “Wow, they have these programs. That sounds like something I need.” Soon after, we welcomed her to our Women’s Residential Program.

When she first entered her bedroom and then the kitchen, Matauka was amazed — God had shown her this place in a dream, even before she knew about The Bowery Mission. “I just know that God has brought me here,” she explains.

“God has good plans for me. I didn’t expect to end up here, but I see how God has been ordering my steps. He is leading me in the right path.” — Matauka

Hopeful future

Matauka feels hopeful about her future. Her hopes include getting a place of her own. She’s glad to be back in regular contact with her daughter, now 18, and wants stability for herself and her daughter.

To encourage others who may be experiencing difficulties in life, she shares one of her favorite scripture verses, 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control.”