Carol Guscott: Faces of Hope

A few years ago, while teaching/critiquing manuscripts at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Camp, I had the privilege of meeting Carol Guscott, a Jamaican woman who'd been the victim of a terrible crime which left her permanently disfigured and for a while without hope. Through the kindness of strangers she had found her way back to God.



There are many facets to her story, but this one on forgiveness can speak to anyone who hangs on to hatred and bitterness:
 

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I looked up from the accounting books and felt a sense of dread. The young man with the deep voice had come into the store several days earlier and, when I refused to buy the low-quality lumber he'd offered, threatened me.

I hadn't taken him seriously, but now he was walking toward my desk, glaring.

Eyes darting side-to-side, he moved
in long, stealthy steps like a tiger stalking its prey. In his right
hand he gripped a long, shiny knife. Panic-stricken, I choked on each
breath.

Somehow, I had to get away.

As I bolted for the door, his accomplice came up behind me and blocked my exit. The first man held the cold metal of the knife against my throat and snarled, "You dirty
*#@*!"

My heart pounded as I silently screamed, I must get away from them! Instead, I froze. Helpless.

In that instant, I expected death. I prayed for God to intervene. I prayed for a customer to come in.

My assailants forced me into a
recliner. They tied my hands behind my back, and then stuffed a filthy
cloth into my mouth. I gagged; the cloth reeked. I wanted to shout at
them, "Why are you doing this to me? What have I done to you?" But fear
and the gag kept me silent.

The first man took a jar from his black backpack and forced my head back. My chest tightened in terror. What was he doing?

"No! No!" I screamed through the dirty rag in my mouth. "Leave me alone!"

Read more at LifeNotes

Carol's book has been published - from the emotionally wrenching story of her brutal attack and the terrifying time of blindness afterwards when she had to fend for herself to the years of hope when so many people reached out to support her as she came to America for surgery which might enable her to see again. Taken in by the Hollywood set for a while, she was blessed with many luxuries as she endured and recuperated from surgeries. But this period was followed by a more desperate lifestyle, living in a dangerous neighborhood, alone and blind and poor.

Reading about Carol's life is an emotional roller coaster, but because of her consistent dependence on God, it is an example to all of us who've had far fewer challenges and many more complaints.



Here is just one inspirational passage:

In the stillness of my blindness, I pictured all the things I had ever seen, things I'd once taken for granted and wished I had stopped longer to enjoy.  At night my dreams kept all the lovely images alive and fresh.

People blind since birth have never seen faces, colors, animals, or the beauty of creation.  I counted myself fortunate to have had some of these experiences.  There were others better off than I, but many were worse.

I focused on gratitude.  I thanked God for the life He had given me.  I praised Him for the blessings of inner strength and vision.

Face of Hope is available from Tate Publishing:

Face of Hope

The Carol Guscott Story

by Carol Guscott

'This book is proof of the power of faith to strengthen us.'

�Della Reese Lett, actress/singer

'Face Of Hope, is a true winner...you will win in your journey of life as you discover God's great, amazing grace!'

�Ken Wales, filmmaker/producer

'When Carol came to this country in search of healing, she embarked on a
journey not only to repair the physical devastation that had been done
to her, but more importantly, to share the healing power of her
indomitable spirit. Face of Hope documents that journey and allows us to
stand in amazement, to recognize the capacity for resilience in each of
us, and to be healed.'

�Mim Eichler Rivas, author

On one seemingly ordinary day, Carol Guscott, a young Jamaican woman,
was brutally attacked by two men. Left blind and disfigured, she became
determined to travel to the United States to find healing and
restoration. After various surgeries and setbacks, she found inspiration
in the kindness of strangers. This is her story.

Face of Hope: The Carol Guscott Story chronicles the true tale of
survival and intense hope of one resolute woman, who never gave up,
never lost faith, and though disfigured and blind, never lost sight.
This is a story about the power of hope, faith, forgiveness, and
motivation.

Carol is also available for speaking engagements - find her on Facebook.