She started living a hellish life at a very young age, a victim of physical and sexual.
In a heartrending video, Melissa Woodward shared with Pure Passion Ministries how she found Jesus and redemption at the lowest point in her life.
She said she was introduced to a life of depravity ironically by a "male family member" who "yanked" her out of school when she was just in sixth grade, took her to bars at night and sold her to different men, according to God Reports.
That family member also introduced her to drugs and served as her pimp.
Melissa said her customers included businessmen, lawyers, and doctors, adding that she provided "service" to about five to 30 men a night.
One day, a depraved customer poured kerosene on her and struck a match.
She was nearly burned to death. Somebody took pity and took her to a hospital in Dallas where she underwent 30 reconstructive surgeries.
But after a year of recovery, she was back on the streets selling her body and getting hooked on alcohol and drugs.
Melissa eventually got pregnant three times, with the children having different fathers.
However, she lost custody of her three children who were taken away from her by the government.
That marked the lowest point in her life, and she decided to kill herself. She drove to a lake outside Houston carrying what she believed was a loaded gun. However, when she pulled the trigger, three times, nothing happened.
Then she heard God whisper in her ears: "What if things could be different? What if things could change?"
A friend took her to a drug rehab facility. One day, she was pleasantly surprised to see her five-year-old daughter, China, who came to visit her. It was the first time she had seen her daughter in many months.
"I want to tell you a story mommy. I think you can get help," China told her. "I've got a story about a man named Jesus, my big Jesus can help you."
China then told her mom about God's grace, love and forgiveness.
"Why do you really love Jesus?" Melissa asked.
"Because when nobody else is there for me, he always is. And he will be there for you too," her daughter answered.
The words spoken by her daughter struck Melissa, who eventually rebuilt her life with God's blessings.
"He gave me back my children and we have an amazing relationship. He gave me the husband of my dreams. Everything I should not have he gave to me," Melissa said.
She then forgave all the people who abused her. "I was no longer bitter and angry and harsh. God began to soften my heart and transform me from the inside out," she said.
She encouraged people struggling in their lives, like she once was, not to give up hope. "No matter where you've been, God can take your life and transform it. He can give you beauty from ashes. He will help you if you call out his name. There is nothing too big for our God."
