Our Sister Keita Hopton is currently serving as a Houston City Host. When Keita first attended a Family Dinner, she was not sure that she would be a Houston resident for much longer, but after attending a Dinner she was able to to find a community that helped make Houston feel like more of a home. We are so grateful to her for sharing her story with us.

Photos Courtesy of Our Sister Kristen Curette

Imagine losing the most important person in your life, and moving 900 miles away from home with whatever could fit in your car to a city you’ve never been. In 2013, this happened to me.  My mom was diagnosed with stage four-breast cancer in February, and by August she had lost her fight.  In September I was disowned by my stepfather, and put out of the only home I ever knew. I was attacked by his children and forced to move my mother’s belongings in trash bags to avoid any other items being donated to goodwill. Tragic right? That’s the same thing I thought.

I left home on a Friday morning, found an apartment on Saturday, and by Monday, I was at new hire orientation at my new job. Whenever I tell this story, I’m amazed that I’ve made it as far as I have given my circumstances. I can’t say that I grew up poor, or struggled in school. I didn’t come from a broken home. I can, however say that in the past 2 years, I’ve experienced emotions that I didn’t even know I had.

In early October, a friend from Dallas forwarded an email to me about Family Dinner. I brushed it off, because I didn’t really get the concept.  I continued to spend most of my time at home on my couch, alone and longing for some type of companionship.  Some weeks passed, and a different friend texted me about her experience at Family Dinner in Dallas.  She talked about how she met so many new people and had such a great time, and she encouraged me to get a ticket. I thought about it for too long probably, but finally I decided to go. Prior to going to the dinner in Houston, I had already made up in my mind that I was moving back to St. Louis. I was not feeling Houston, and I didn’t think it was a good fit for me.  In 10 months, I hadn’t made any friends and I couldn’t continue living such a lonely life.

I remember praying and asking God to allow me to leave Family Dinner with at least one friend.

The day I was preparing for Family Dinner, I had no idea what to expect, I only knew I had to be there. I remember looking for the perfect outfit, and making sure everything was in place for me to get there, and on time. I remember praying and asking God to allow me to leave Family Dinner with at least one friend. I couldn’t understand why He would allow my life to shift so drastically, and place me in such an uncomfortable place. When I got to Family Dinner, I was nervous but the hosts were some of the nicest people I had met in my entire life. I was greeted with hugs, and smiles, and I felt like I belonged. I didn’t feel so alone anymore.

I felt like I was finally where I belonged.

That night, I met so many people. I met people who were just like me—looking for a family in a place where they were alone. I drank, and ate and laughed with what some would call strangers, but it didn’t feel that way. I felt like I was finally where I belonged.  That night, I introduced myself to Lawrence and I told him that Family Dinner saved my life. If it hadn’t been for that one dinner, I can’t say I would still be here in Houston. I don’t know if I would have ever met my new Houston Tribe either. Whatever was supposed to happen for me did, and for that I am forever grateful.