David’s Story

by Vicki Askew

Just over two years ago, David found himself homeless and sleeping in a storage unit with his four beloved cats. With the help of a compassionate employer, he had managed to save his pets and a few belongings from an eviction that he thought he would have a chance to dispute. For six long nights, he slept upright in a straight-backed dining room chair that he had salvaged. “It was brutal,” he said.

From there, he moved into a windowless basement playroom (where he was thankful for a spare bed) but still had trouble finding an affordable place to live. David’s pastor then arranged for him to meet with staff at Project Connect Nashville in hopes that PCN could help him find a stable place to live. And, in David’s words, “Did they ever!” After his initial intake interview, David’s Connection Manager took him to an available apartment that PCN knew about and shortly after, he moved in. “It was the most beautiful place I have lived in decades,” shared David. ”It was clean and newly renovated with new appliances and fixtures. The only thing I needed was a bed, pillow, and linens, which PCN provided. On the day I moved in, I promised myself to take good care of this place, and I have. For the first time in my life, I live in a place that feels like home!”

It took him longer than expected though. After slipping on ice in February 2021, David was diagnosed with a severe concussion and experienced the effects of the fall for the next 18 months. He said, “PCN never let me down. The staff, Dr. Scott, the allies, and the Sunday class leaders all worked with me and walked beside me the entire time.”

Classes at PCN taught David a new way to look at God. “I learned a more complete meaning of unconditional love,” he shares. “It applies to ALL the areas of my life, and I also learned that God’s forgiveness is truly unlimited. My worst behavior falls within, not outside, the reach of Jesus’ sacrifice. While I didn’t believe it before, I now believe that I can daily be reconciled to God!” David continues, “I have learned that I have value. And everything in my apartment now has a place and a meaning. I walk around my apartment and am surrounded by good feelings and warm memories for the first time in over 30 years!”

The daily meetings of Work Life class caused David to give up his longtime daily newspaper route and the money he made from that work. But as he shares, “… this coincided with God’s timing and the money I lost was made up for through a series of miracles that God rained on me. I trusted God and God delivered!”

“What have I learned? I’ve learned that God blesses work and that I deserve a living wage. I also learned that work is a form of ministry to others. That work was created, arranged, and inspired by God.” Today David loves himself, loves PCN, and aspires to be an ally one day. He said, “I’m not going anywhere! You can expect me to stay involved.” We can’t wait to see how God uses David in the ministry of PCN!