From Uncertainty to Breakthrough: My Testimony of Obtaining Legal Status

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My name is Christelle Jean Baptiste and this is my Testimony.

Waiting on the Lord in the Midst of Uncertainty

Sometimes we may struggle with something for so long, and the only thing we can do is wait on the Lord. Even though my situation wasn’t a physical pain, it was a constant feeling of uncertainty. You never expect something small to escalate into a situation that will eventually require a breakthrough. But no matter what we face, God is in all things—and I’m happy and grateful that He stepped in and soothed my heart, giving me relief.

The Weight of Silence

I’m a very private person. I usually keep my business to myself, so it's not always easy to open up about personal matters affecting me. One day, during a service, my pastor said,

“God is resolving cases, and anyone awaiting word on specific cases, please stand.”

I froze. That word was for me, but I couldn’t muster the strength to stand and allow others to wonder how that statement affected me. I know it sounds silly, but I just couldn’t push past the shame. So instead, I leaned over and whispered to my church sister, “Please pray for me.” Without hesitation, she held my hand and prayed. This was around 2019.

The Hidden Part of My Story

What most people didn’t know was that I wasn’t born in America. I’m originally from the beautiful islands of Turks and Caicos. At around fourteen years old, I came to the U.S. to visit my mother. But to be honest, I stayed longer than expected, which led to me becoming an undocumented resident. The hardest part of it was knowing I could leave—but I wouldn’t be able to return.

The Long Road to Legal Status

My intention was never to stay undocumented. But most people don’t realize how difficult the process can be. Throughout high school and even some college years, I applied, but things kept getting delayed or denied.

There were moments I worried about my future—I'm young, I have plans, but how would I work? I knew people who chose to get married just to obtain residency, but I didn’t want that to be my story. I wanted to trust God for a breakthrough in this area. I believed He was bigger than this, and I wanted to trust His hand to make a way. I also respected marriage as a covenant too much to diminish its value by using it as a means to an end.

God Sustained Me with My Gift

So I waited. I kept applying. And during that time, my gift made room for me. God gave me the gift of doing hair, and that gift sustained me until I could hear back about my status. Even before the U.S. climate became more aggressive with deportation, I had applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). But there was talk that TPS wouldn’t amount to much.

The Breakthrough Finally Came

Then this year, I went to the immigration office. Normally, you have your interview and wait 2–3 months for approval. But to my shock, the officer approved me that same day. Only an hour had gone by. I logged into the website, and it was already updated. That never happens. I asked around, and no one had experienced that kind of turnaround. God showed me so much favor that day. I even received a pass to return home to get some paperwork I had forgotten—something that also doesn’t happen. Nothing about that day was typical. I knew it was the hand of God.

Now, I have 10 years of U.S. residency and the ability to apply for citizenship in just 3–4 years. This process took 13 years. I often wonder—would God have done it sooner if I had stood up that day in church? A few Sundays later, someone testified about receiving her breakthrough from that same prayer.

Even in Delay, God Was Faithful

Even though this process took years, I was never without. I had my family, my business, my high school sweetheart (who is now my husband), and my beautiful daughter. God was writing my story—even in the uncertainty. And now, I can freely plan for my future.

Lessons I’ve Learned

The lesson for me? Never rush God.

He does things in ways you could never imagine. Also, don't be ashamed to receive breakthrough and deliverance that shame can delay you—be bold. Know where you are and keep your hands open to receive.

So, do what I was too afraid to do: stand.

Your breakthrough is on the way.

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