At 31 years old, Krystal found herself unexpectedly pregnant and completely alone. 

Living in New Zealand and in a long-term relationship she believed was stable, her world unraveled when she discovered her boyfriend had been unfaithful. The betrayal triggered years of unresolved trauma, leaving her overwhelmed by anger, isolation and despair.

As the pregnancy progressed, Krystal began to consider abortion — not because anyone pressured her to, but because she no longer trusted her own ability to survive motherhood.

With no support system and consumed by intrusive thoughts to harm herself and her baby, Krystal reached a breaking point — until an unexpected encounter with God changed the course of her life.

A turbulent childhood and adolescence

Krystal fell into a gang in New Zealand at 14 after years of trauma and abuse. Raised in the church but adopted as a child, she endured sexual abuse from multiple family members and severe bullying at school. 

By her teenage years, Krystal was isolated, angry and struggling with addiction.

“I went into a gang life from 14 to 21, sold drugs, partied, did plenty of robberies, [and] sent my mum into the hospital six times during my adolescence,” she says. “It was just a crazy time for me. I was reckless.”

At her breaking point

Krystal was three months pregnant and in a three-year relationship when she discovered her boyfriend had been unfaithful.

“It led me into depression to the point I was hearing voices [saying] my daughter wasn’t meant to be living,” she says. “I was actually planning to abort her.”

Krystal recalls sitting in her car one day, thinking about how she would end multiple lives, including her own and her unborn child’s.

“I didn’t really care about anyone’s life,” she says.

Because of where she lived, accessing abortion was not simple. Krystal says abortion laws and availability were limited in her area of New Zealand. She also says the thought of asking her midwife for help felt shameful.

Krystal then attempted to end her pregnancy in her car by drinking Turpentine, a toxic solvent commonly used for cleaning and polishing. 

“I just really wanted to get rid of her and [thought] if she lives through that, she’s [just] going to live with a disability,” Krystal says.

However, in the midst of her despair, something changed.

An encounter with God

Alone in her car, screaming and crying one day, Krystal felt a sudden sense of peace. The intrusive thoughts lifted, and the voices that haunted her ceased.

“I was like, ‘God, why are you putting me through this?’” she recalls. “I felt something lift out of me — like a burden just lifted off my shoulders.”

Krystal says this was the moment God found her — the moment she realized she could no longer trust her own thoughts, but needed to trust Him.

“Whoever was praying for me at this time, God heard,” she says.

Life today

At 35, Krystal is a devoted single mother to her healthy and lively 2-year-old daughter, Waimirirangi.  

“She’s a really happy baby,” she says. “I’m really thankful to God every day that she’s a blessing.” 

Last year, Krystal started a food delivery service called Awhi 4 Mama, which means “support” in the Māori language. The service provides meals for families struggling to cook — especially new mothers, elderly people and those with disabilities.

Krystal currently runs her business alone but is looking to hire staff and move into a new commercial kitchen after recently relocating to a new city with her daughter.

“It’s more than just a business,” she says. “It’s a ministry.”

In her culture, cooking for others is a way to serve the community. Through her business, she supports families facing difficult circumstances, seeing the sharing of food, personal struggles and the gospel as her “true ministry,” she says.

Krystal’s encouragement to those facing an unplanned pregnancy:

“God heals the brokenhearted. If you feel lonely, call on Him and He will hear you. God had grace over me and our family. If I followed those thoughts three years ago, I don’t think I’ll have my daughter here. I’m blessed to have my daughter here despite the circumstances that me and her went through. God always protected us because I would have ended up in prison or just dead. I know a lot of women who have gone through [similar] circumstances that I went through, and I just pray that my testimony can share the love and the grace of Jesus Christ.”

Written by Melina Nicole