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At age 18 Theophila Pratt was dropped at a bus stop in Greymouth - bound ultimately for a place called Auckland, that she'd heard of, but couldn't place on a map.
As her mother drove away, she told Theo the decision she'd just made had "damned her soul to hell for eternity".
Theophila had just fled Gloriavale.
Born 'Honey Faithful' in the fundamental Christian community on the South Island's West Coast, she later changed her name - one of a number of small rebellions over the years that set her at odds with Gloriavale leaders.
She's now written a book called Unveiled about those experiences and the challenges that she's faced since leaving.
They include trying to help her sister Precious, stuck with six children in India, as part of Gloriavale's expansion plans.
From top left: With friends at Gloriavale; with her grandmother and mother - the first time all three had been together. Middle: A family photo. Top right: Hugging her niece in India; with partner Kevin on her graduation day. Photo: Supplied
