From Tragedy to Purpose: Linda’s Journey of Loss, Love & Service

In this moving episode of The Human Experience, host Jennifer Peterkin sits down with Linda, who shares her extraordinary journey of resilience and compassion. After the tragic murder of her best friend and her best friend’s mother, Linda made the life-altering decision to take in the five orphaned children left behind.

What began as an act of love soon transformed into a lifelong mission. Linda opens up about the challenges of unexpected motherhood, the impact of domestic violence on families, and how faith and purpose guided her through unimaginable loss. Her story led to the creation of a ministry that now supports vulnerable children both in the U.S. and Haiti.

This conversation is a powerful testament to the human spirit, the ripple effects of compassion, and the lasting impact one person can make when they choose love over fear.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains sensitive discussion of domestic violence and murder. Listener discretion is advised.

Takeaways

• The tragic event that left five children orphaned and how Linda stepped in.
• The lasting impact of domestic violence and why awareness matters.
• The challenges of shifting from entrepreneur to unexpected motherhood.
• Founding a ministry to serve vulnerable children in the U.S. and Haiti.
• Firsthand experiences of the harsh realities inside Haitian orphanages.
• Reflections on grief, resilience, faith, and living with purpose.
• How one person’s compassion can spark global impact.
  

Interview recorded in Lavonia, GA.

Can you pinpoint a moment in time when your life changed? Maybe it wasn’t a moment, maybe it was a complicated chain of events that led you to where you are today. Or maybe, it was a generational impact that started before you were even born. Regardless of what it contains, all humans have a story. And those stories are the building blocks of who we are, at our very core. Join host, Jennifer Peterkin - lover and collector of stories, as she interviews humans from all walks of life. Tune in every week to hear stories of love and loss, triumph and defeat, and all that exist in between.