The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AFTER having five miscarriages and overcoming a number of other obstacles, Prophetess Valleria Strachan has penned a new book titled the "Principles of Life" which she believes will encourage women who are looking for hope in different seasons of their life.

In the book, she addresses various challenges women face in society. She strives to offer understanding from a spiritual perspective on how these challenges are there not to hurt, but to build women into the best version of themselves.

"This book features my life experiences and the life experiences of others. I look at a lot of women and they are going through a lot of things that they camouflage," she told Tribune Religion.

Prophetess Strachan tackles dilemmas such as an unfulfilling marriage, misbehaving children, low self-esteem, loneliness, waiting on Boaz, and reaching a higher spiritual relationship with God. It discloses how these issues can catapult you into your destiny.

"I have encountered a lot of women who are going through relationship problems, financial stress, and those who are waiting for love. And the Lord spoke to me and wanted me to encourage them through my book," she said.

"Principles of Life" is Prophetess Strachan's second book. Her first, "Faye: A walk of faith that will see you through", was written also to help women hold onto their faith even in seemingly hopeless circumstances.

It chronicles her experience of having five miscarriages and how God eventually blessed her with five children, though one unfortunately passed away at seven months due to liver disease.

"I struggle with miscarriages. My first pregnancy was a stillbirth. Thereafter I tried again, being a young wife. I got pregnant the second time around and lost the baby. Got pregnant after that and was blessed with a son," she said.

After her second full-term pregnancy, Prophetess Strachan tried again and also miscarried.

"I tried again then I was blessed with a baby. Her name was Faye and she died at seven months. She had cirrhosis of the liver. It was really hard for me dealing with that. I couldn't go to any baby showers because of the pain," she said.

Prophetess Strachan said the passing of Faye did not stop her. She was later blessed with three other sons.

However, this was a very trying time in her life and made her question her faith in God.

"I felt discouraged. But then the Lord spoke to me and I started placing my hand on my womb and praying for it," she said. "People were starting to talk, saying I was barren because I had so many miscarriages. But I prayed and spoke to my womb. I said, 'Lord, you told me to be fruitful and multiply'," she said.

And because she able to overcome this difficult time in her life, Prophetess Strachan wants to continue to provide hope and encouragement for people. "If God can bring me though it, he can do the same for you," she said.

Prophetess Strachan serves as the co-pastor of True United Ministries International, together with her husband Apostle Nelson Strachan, the senior pastor. She is the mother of four sons, Nelson Jr, Mark, Daniel and Isaiah.

She serves in the capacity of pastor, prophetess, and recently as Justice of Peace. She has been in ministry for 20 plus years, mentoring, encouraging and uplifting women.

She is best known for her yearly "Order My Footsteps" women's conferences and both her and her husband's "Rekindle the Fire" marriage conference. She has a wealth of experience when it comes to women's issues and keeping marriages strong and healthy. She is also a seasoned singer and a motivational speaker.

"Principles of Life" can be purchased at Nassau Stationers, on Amazon, or by contacting the author at womenwpurpose@yahoo.com.