... and the desperate hope and encouragement through turbulent times.

I was reared by my family to follow the Christian faith ever since my early childhood. However, I discovered as I reached my teenage years that the significance of the Messiah was a mystery. I knew obviously very little. I had two mentors working with me to rekindle my faith, understanding, and virtuosity of Christianity before I met the ministry. Debbie Smith along with various other acquaintances had slowly witnessed God's passionate love developing deep within my soul through sever

Life has taken me through great trials and tribulations that have molded my personality. I became prey to deep depression, low self-esteem, and a lack of self-confidence. I began thinking whether life was worth living as circumstances in my life began to worsen. Several years ago, little did I know that the course of my life would begin to change dramatically through the outreach of Passionate Palms Ministry. The Passionate Palms Ministry has provided me with numerous opportunities and growth in various areas of my life including spirituality, the realization and enhancement of American Sign Languageal years of interaction through the ministry's outreach. Passionate Palms Ministry also provided the strong foundation necessary to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. Christian virtues were integrated into the heart of the ministry's mission of bringing God's people closer to the true meaning of life. Passionate Palms Ministry has taught me a new and passionate understanding of God's grace and love that never ceases.

I have been coping with profound hearing loss since my premature birth. In countless ways, it has made me a stronger person by strengthening my ambitions and desire to overcome my obstacles throughout my vigorous life. Through my mentor, Jim Baird, I was introduced to Passionate Palms Ministry so that we may both benefit by learning American Sign Language. The ministry has brought to my realization that I share my similarities with the Deaf Community. Because of my lack of hearing, I developed an immense dependence on visual information. American Sign Language has allowed me another outlet to communicate more efficiently and concise. The understanding of Deaf Culture has developed a more intense desire in me to raise awareness around the local community and interact with the Deaf Community. The ministry has also allowed me to express myself more truly and naturally. Thanks to Passionate Palms Ministry, I now have the advantage of another language.

My mother suffered from numerous strokes, which eventually confined her to a wheelchair. Her strokes also accelerated her emotional and psychological difficulties as well as her pessimistic attitude, which placed a huge burden on me. The ministry consistently gave me the necessary encouragement to persevere through my trials. Two years ago, my mother died from a severe stroke. The ministry provided moral support and sympathy during my mother's funeral, building in me the strength to overcome this severe loss. During my last year in high school, Passionate Palms Ministry was able to raise a sufficient amount of financial support to pull me through my first semester of community college. Hope and encouragement has also been one of the significant duties of the mission that the ministry continues to contribute.

There have been numerous needs that Passionate Palms Ministry met for me in my three years of collaboration. They have made me a more spiritual person with Christian values, bringing me closer to God. The ministry also introduced to me American Sign Language and the Deaf Community, making these a special part of life. Moreover, Passionate Palms Ministry was there to give me encouragement and strength to keep fighting in my worst tribulations of my life. This ministry has done more than the call of duty, as I am certain with my utmost faith that the ministry will not fail in their mission to reach out and assist countless others who cry for help.

David Dutton

January 28, 2007