From Brokenness to Fatherhood

Because of that, he didn’t get much schooling and explains his education came from the streets. He learned “how to survive, sell drugs, fight for my life.” He grew up feeling like he had to do whatever it took just to be seen, just to be loved.

By the time he reached rock bottom, he felt lost, empty, and alone. “I didn’t think no one cared. I was ready to give up on myself.” In that dark place, he cried out to God. He said, “God, where do I go from here? I’m at the bottom. I don’t know what else to do.”

And then he sensed God answer. “He wanted me to go to Gospel Rescue Mission.” Despite a moment of full capacity, he received an emergency Operation Rescue stay and a bed, bringing him tears of joy. That small open door felt like a miracle to him.

He was now fighting for his life, recovery, and family, especially through the pain of not seeing his daughter. He realized he had to do it for himself, so he fully surrendered everything to God and trusted Him—and God came through.

As he stayed at GRM, “every day got better and better, every day, every night that I stayed here.” He knew he was “on holy grounds.” He felt surrounded by “a bunch of positive people that was willing to show me that I had a second chance in life.” He said very clearly, “Gospel Rescue Mission saved my life.”

About three to four months into his recovery program, something beautiful happened. The mother of his daughter came to GRM and said, “I want to give you 50/50 custody.” Now he says with joy, “I got my daughter five to six days out of a week. I do my daughter’s hair, I put her clothes on her, I get her off to daycare every morning, the responsibilities that I never knew until I got here.”

For a man who spent his life feeling unseen and unworthy, Will went from learning how to survive on the streets to learning how to truly live for God. His advice is to ask for help, don’t be ashamed to cry out to God, and listen when He points you to a place like GRM.