Here’s Our Story
John and Laura have three wonderful children: Ashley, Maleka, and Jordan. Laura and Maleka are the mother-daughter duo that make up Blind Faith Ministries, but everyone pitches in from time to time. Want to hear more? Book them for your next event!
Our History
My husband John and I have been married for over 33 years. Over these years, our home has been through many trials, and has seen many miracles. We have been tested and are now able to say God is faithful through it all. For instance: As biological parents, we waited twelve years before we were able to have a child of our own. As adoptive parents, we adopted a blind child, Maleka, who was burned as an infant. As foster parents, we cared for over 100 medically fragile children. We were tested further by having to bury one foster child we were in the process of adopting. We also opened and ran a shelter for homeless women and children for four years. As you can see, we have been through it all, and we found that God is faithful. You see, as I reflect back over the years and my life events, there has been one thing that has remained constant: Jesus, my Lord and Savior, can be trusted. He has been our rock. Life and people can let you down, but the Bible reassures us that “He (Jesus) is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.”
Who is Maleka West?
Maleka is the adopted daughter of Laura and John West. Maleka’s life was a challenge from the very beginning. She was born blind. In March of 1997, it went from bad to worse for her. At the age of 15 months, while she was living with her birth mother, Maleka was badly burned in a tub of scalding hot water. She received third degree burns to more than 55% of her body, and the doctors gave her a 5% chance of surviving. Luckily, God had other plans!
John & Laura were called in to be foster parents for her, so they flew to Shriners Burn Hospital in OH, where they went through extensive training to learn how to care for her burns. They thought they were only going to care for her until she was well enough for adoption at the orphanage. Again, God had different plans! John and Laura fell in love with her the first time they saw her, and decided to take her home with them. Caring for her & learning to give her the love she deserves was both challenging and very rewarding for the Wests. Laura says, “It goes without saying, I wouldn’t change a thing. She is absolutely amazing and brings joy to everyone that has a chance to meet her.”
