Kill or be Killed...
Through many overwhelming experiences I summed up my world as a literall hell. I was born in Spanish Harlem New York and lived most of my child hood in the Bronx. Everyday I could only think of leaving the dead-end streets that scarred more than my skin. But at 11 years old with pockets and a pair of converse full of holes life seemed full of endless time to kick broken glass to the curb. I spent most of my time wondering around avoiding people, but It wasn't too long before I got a crash course in the reality of living in the hood where anything can and did happen. I was always trying to stay out of trouble but that was unpopular in gang territory. I had been shot at, cut with a knife, and jumped, on more than one occasion. My world began in a warzone where I would hear and at times see people die almost every week. Their was more value for a penny than value for life. Unfortunatley, the broken chains link fences, doorways and windows pretty much summed up many broken families who had no guidance or hope, and the closest I ever came to spirituality were spirit envoking sages and santeria. It was almost impossible to find a creative or constructive outlet in the mist of grafitti smitten, scarcely lit stairwells. Many misguided hands led to an ongoing circle of crime and violence. I became immune to the popping of gunfire throughout the night and I had lost almost all my hope for myself and everyone. My attitude soon became "kill or be killed." God was the last thing on my mind... I cared for nothing... I remember the polished copper head bullets of a 38 caliber revolver of a gang member who aimed it to my chest while his four buddies robbed me. My first thought was that I should have waited for the bus. But these punks were watching me since I got off the train. He transferred the gun to my temple while the others yanked and ripped off my chains, my wallet and my watch. I was so mad that I dared to face him off, I looked at him dead in the eyes without considering that this is not something you do to a criminal who does not want to be identified. That's when he stared at me as if he was going to pull the trigger, but he froze - and right when I was reaching for my weapon he turned and ran away. I was livid, breaking every thing I could on my walk home that night. I lost itI cared for nothing including God... The Gospel of John broke my heart... After many other realities and failures, my life came to halt in 1995. I did not grow up in the church world or ever thought of entering a church, but I was simply crying out to God in my little studio apartment that felt smaller than the memories of loneliness. Sorrow weighed heavy and deep in my heart after a a first marriage turned divorce. I thought I was following all the rules and would fill and change my life for the better, this was the worst for me and I became depressed and understood none of it. I met someone who inspired me to look into the word of God. From there on my life would never be the same. The book of John was what finally moved me to search and understand the “what’s” and “why’s” of the bitter realities I have tasted. This book made me see the life of Jesus in a poetic and heartfelt way. It broke my heart to pieces but this time I could see it was going to be put back together. It gave me pain and hope at the same time and I swallowed the word of God like a starving man. I had no shame. It was as if I was eating my favorite mango over the sink in front of a panel of food critics. The word revealed the light to my memories of pain, and it was good! Just like the mango! So good, as if it was written for me to know that someone is listening and knows me more than I knew myself. From the gangs to the governing powers, I finally understood I was on the wrong side of the fence, watching the world die. I could finally understand and see why this world is in such a condition of needing help outside itself. "It made me want to write again but this time with a purpose” I have so many stories to share but I will leave the rest in my book... If I ever have the time to sit for a while. But in the meantime, thank you Lord Jesus for overwhelming me... It all came together for David in 1995 when he met Singer Songwriter Michelle Touchstone. "There was a glow about her and a feeling of peace upon her that caught his attention. It wasn't just her beauty" he said 'but a sense of assurity that seemed unusually comforting in a time of unanswered scars. As their faith in Christ grew, so did their love for each other. David and Michelle are now married and find great joy in sharing their gifts through spoken word and music. Together they take part in feeding the homeless of south florida through faithful donations of their own or from people just like you . David has been described as a modern day Psalmist using his gift of explosive dynamic poetry and spoken word to inscribe the love of Jesus into the hearts of his audience. David is also a percussionist and drummer for Michelle Touchstone. This is a relative and powerful ministry to book for youth events and motivational seminars.
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