When Purpose Was Lost—and Found Again

In 1996, Kenny stepped into his own life of service. “In ’96, I joined the U.S. Navy,” he says. He had hoped to join the construction battalion, but after failing a test, he was reassigned to the fleet. “I thought my world was done,” he admits. Instead, he was placed in the kitchen—where something unexpected happened. He discovered a passion for cooking and serving his shipmates.

The military gave him purpose. It brought structure, brotherhood, and a sense of mission. It also gave him the opportunity to see the world—Italy, Portugal, Spain, Australia, and Kenya.

But when his service ended, everything changed. “It was a deep loss to me,” he shares. “I fell into a depression… I never could get that back. And I’m still hurting from it.”

Back in Tucson, life became unstable. “I fell out of place,” he says. “I could never stay stable… I just kept losing job after job.” A difficult marriage led to child support challenges, legal issues, and repeated jail time tied to outstanding warrants.

Feeling lost and without stable housing, Kenny turned to Gospel Rescue Mission. His first attempt didn’t last—he admits he wasn’t ready. But the second time was different. “This time, I’m gonna make it work,” he says. He came back because, in his words, “there’s more help here… we’re gonna find out what the problem is, fix it, and then move on.”

Since returning, Kenny has begun to confront the walls he once put up. “I’ve been putting up a front,” he admits. At GRM, he’s learning that real strength doesn’t always mean fighting—it sometimes means walking away. “If I walk away,” he reflects, “that’s one trigger that can’t be touched.” He’s also learning to trust God with what he cannot control.

Today, Kenny’s message to others is simple: ask for help—and use the resources around you.