You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Testimony of<br />
Derrick K. Osorio<br />
was born into a strict Catholic<br />
I family in the fast-paced city<br />
that never sleeps (NYC). I had<br />
a loving mother, who had high<br />
aspirations of my becoming a<br />
priest, but that was not in my<br />
plans. More importantly, it was<br />
not in God’s plans. I actually<br />
wanted to be a doctor, though<br />
unfortunately that only lasted<br />
until I was about ten years old. I<br />
had already started gambling at<br />
age eight.<br />
As I grew older, gambling<br />
became an obsession. I began<br />
drinking and eventually turned<br />
to drugs. I had fathered two<br />
beautiful children by age sixteen.<br />
A child raising children, I eventually<br />
abandoned them and their<br />
mother. I had a second family at<br />
age twenty-five. We had three<br />
more fantastic children, but<br />
twelve years later I walked out<br />
on their mother as well. This<br />
time, my two girls came with me.<br />
A year later, I was accused of<br />
a crime and found myself in a<br />
state prison for the first time<br />
in my life. I was all alone, doing<br />
real time! I lost everything—my<br />
daughters, my freedom, my business,<br />
even my fiancée. I hit rock<br />
bottom.<br />
While in prison, I faithfully<br />
attended the Catholic services.<br />
In the summer of 2003, I walked<br />
into the church as usual, and the<br />
moment I stepped in and looked<br />
up at the cross, a teardrop ran<br />
down my face. I quickly wiped<br />
it away and left. This happened<br />
every time I went to church for<br />
several months, until one night,<br />
the tears just kept on coming. I<br />
looked up toward heaven and<br />
prayed, “Lord, I know you’re<br />
trying to tell me something, but I<br />
just don’t know what it is. Please<br />
show me, God.”<br />
The next night, while sitting<br />
in my cell feeling sorry for myself,<br />
my entire life flashed before<br />
I was amazed at the<br />
treasures stored in that<br />
dusty old book.<br />
<strong>Loaves</strong> & <strong>Fishes</strong> • Issue <strong>27</strong> | 21