The Transformation of Darren Tynes

Today, we have the inspiring story of Darren Tynes.

THE TRANSFORMATION:

My story started at a young age, 12. I have never told many people this, but my childhood wasn't the best. I had a loving mother who believed in me. She never believed in breaking the law or anything like that, but she believed in me. At a young age, I saw a lot outside my home. Inside was love: 4 sisters and 4 brothers. They all worked and had jobs, but they never had nice things—no new shoes or pants, nothing like that. Outside, there were drugs, dealers, and pimps with shiny cars and nice clothes. As a kid, it was easy for me to want those things.

Also, as a kid, I faced a lot of racism. One day, my friend's dad chased me away, calling me bad names. I had also been beaten up by a carload of men, calling me the N-word. That day, I ran home and never said a word. I just lay in my bed as a kid and wondered, "Why? I never thought I was good enough for anything."

At a young age, I always talked to God and asked him why he hated me because of all the things I was going through. I looked up to my uncles who were bad men; they taught me to do drugs and crime. I was lost as a young man, mixed up, and didn't know right from wrong. I wanted to be on the news, being shot in a drug deal or something—that's what I thought. I was confused and lost in life. When I decided to wake up, I was late in life.

What changed me was looking at my little sister as I picked her up from school. I asked myself, "What makes a kid happy?" and realized it was simple: playing ball or Hulk Mash. Just before I picked her up, I was in a drug deal that went bad, and I was about to harm a family member. I cried that day on the way home. I still didn't change much; I was still going to jail, doing drugs, and asking God, "Why me?"

After losing my sister two years ago, I made her a promise to try and follow the Lord or at least do better. But I had trouble dealing with my emotions, so we all know how that goes. It meant more drugs. That's when I started looking for help. I tried everything, counseling and more. I even tried long-term, but the wait was so long I couldn't stay clean enough to get in.

One day, I was going through Facebook, came across Sara, and noticed how good she looked. That wasn't the girl I knew, so I texted her. She told me she was at Shekinah and working at Naomi in Ruth. Then she sent a voice text to pray for me. I thought she was high on something, but I looked into her Facebook and saw pictures of her son, and I knew she was real. She told me to come. I called Shekinah, and now I'm in the recovery program. They said right away there was a bed for me, and I was very thankful. I did it in blind faith, realizing that if they could help Sara, they could help me.

What motivated me to share my story with others?

My motivation is you guys. I wouldn't be this guy without you. And I do believe God got me here today. Thanks for your faces I see every day. I now have a reason to live.