“I spent most of my life running: from my mistakes, from the people that I hurt, from the law, and from God.” Your support provides a place where Desmond could stop running. You helped transform a criminal into a Christ-follower.
“In high school, I got mixed up with the wrong friends. They took me on a journey of drugs, robbery, and stealing cars. Now, all my old friends are now in prison or dead.”
Desmond tried to escape his problems by moving to Florida, but he found trouble there too. He got involved in drug and human trafficking and learned to hack ATM machines, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars. He often went to Las Vegas, where he spent and lost obscene amounts of money.
“I wanted all the things this world seduces you with: money, nice cars, the whole lifestyle. Even more than the drugs, I was addicted to the lifestyle.”
Desmond’s life was a cycle of living large and going to prison. He was also stressed from managing a small criminal empire and getting into debt with dangerous people.
All the while, Desmond knew that he was running from God. His aunt and uncle, who helped raise him, are ordained ministers. Desmond learned from his upbringing that his lifestyle was displeasing to the Lord. He sometimes prayed, but only when he was in trouble. His aunt told him that our choices have long-lasting consequences, and now he knew she was right.
Desmond’s life fell apart when he got addicted to crack cocaine. He got married in 2018, but his wife left him because of his addiction. He lost all his money, relationships, and everything he owned. Feeling broken and desperate, he moved back to Maryland to be near his aunt and uncle.
Desmond was tired of hurting people. He tried multiple rehab programs, but none of them worked. His aunt told him about his half-brother Daniel’s success at Frederick Rescue Mission, so Desmond called Carlton Hill, the CLRP Director. The next day, he started the program.
Desmond immediately started pursuing God. He read the Bible eagerly, rising at 4 a.m. daily to pray, read scripture, and cook breakfast for the community. He says he learned how to fight life’s battles in the CLRP classes. In June, Desmond was baptized at his church. He often gathers other men in the CLRP for impromptu Bible studies. He has been clean and sober for four months and has never felt better or thought more clearly.
“I now realize that the stuff I thought was valuable has no value at all. I don’t even want a nice car, just a little Honda to get me from here to there. Colossians 3:2 says, ‘Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.’” Desmond is now writing a book about the power of prayer. He wants to encourage others to seek God’s kingdom first so that everything else would be added to them.
You are one of the heroes of Desmond’s life because you support the Mission. Desmond is done running, and for him, the finish line is the starting line for a life in Christ.
