Derrick took a break from his work duties at Royal Pines to share his story with us.

“I was 16 years old when my dad had on-the-job accident and was paralyzed from the neck down,” Derrick shared with us.  “I felt like I’d lost him – that’s when I started using drugs.

Over the years, Derrick’s drug use continued, even after getting married and becoming a father to two little girls.

“My wife begged me to quit; she cried and pleaded; she begged me to give my life to God,” Derrick recalled.  “But I didn’t care, I was in love with meth.”

“I didn’t care if my wife left and took our girls –
I was in love with meth.”

“After the divorce, I got our 24-acre property and mobile home.  I was using, cooking, selling and making the thing I was in love with most,” Derrick said.  “I ended up burning down that mobile home and not long after, I had a widow-maker heart attack … that was when I knew God was speaking to me.”

“I felt God asking me: Don’t you want to walk your girls down the aisle?  Do you want to live to see your grandchildren?” Derrick said.  “He brought my attention to Royal Pines.”

Derrick has recently graduated from our Royal Pines program in Blount County.  He says he is excited to see what God has planned for the “former junky.”  Plus, Derrick gets to walk his daughter down the aisle this month!

Thank you for allowing God to work through you to help change lives!