Well, I’ve definitely waited till last minute to right this. Not because I wanted to, but because I am just still at a loss for words that Donnies gone home. I met Donnie back in 2014 while I was homeless living on the streets in Morada. I had approached him, all tattered and broken… to be quite honest just an absolute wreck. I was asking him for some change, and without any hesitation he just had this very big child like grin on his face( for those of you who know him, you know what I’m talking about lol). He proceeded to ask me about my life, and for whatever reason(as I know now, it was God) I just started unloading on him. I told him of my shame, hatred of self, drug addiction, and everything else under the sun. This man immediately gave me a giant hug, and told me he loved me. I was just at a loss for words, I was taken aback and then some. He then asked if I’d like to have lunch with him, I being as hesitant as a wild cat, surprisingly found myself saying yes. But he didnt just by me lunch, he sat down and had lunch with me, as if I’d known him my entire lifetime. I felt the glares from those around us, people whispering in disgust, but Donnie didnt care. He actually introduced me to someone as his friend. I know now that God was setting me up for a miracle for what eventually be my true, and obedient relationship with Him through Donnie. Donnie spoke with me about Christ and His love, and kept telling me that he( himself) loved me. After sometime, he prayed fervently with me and left me with a full stomach, and surprisingly a full heart( which was rather empty, well almost depleted).we both went out separate ways, and after a fee years of ups and downs, I had ran into someone that knew him. She proceeded to tell me about this young man, that he had encountered that he met on the streets and ministered to at a Panda Express in Morada. The story sounded eerily familiar, and right then I knew who she was talking about( me). Funny how God works!. It may have been 2 years after that, me being married with a kid and one on the way, I had come across donnies FB page and proceeded to tell him about my life as of now. Being 2 years sober at the time( on my 3rd year now), serving in youth ministry and married with children. I was telling him of where God has brought me too, and just thanking him and telling him how much I appreciated that encounter and the fruit it produced. I forsure thought he would have forgot about me by now. But to my surprise I got a message from him that night, with his phone number. We talked for a good 2 hrs about what God has been doing in my life and his, and I just was so thankful to God that I was able to tell this man how much his obedience meant to me. I told him if it wasn’t for your God given words I think I would have committed suicide out there, and soon. But that encountered stirred something in my spirit. He remembered exactly who I was and told me he prayed for me constantly and I didn’t even know it. I had the privilege of giving my testimony at one of his youth camps and speaking Love, Jesus and Truth into kids who were walking down the same path I was. See Donnie wasn’t just any man to me, Hes someone I inspire to be like, selfless, unwavering, committed, and God driven. Because of his obedience, I live my life for Christ now, and I have a beautiful family who also serve right along side me. See, Donnie truly helped save my life and for that I am forever grateful to him. I cant wait to be reunited with him in heaven one day, and be able to give my brother in Christ a hug. Thank you Moore family for sharing your husband with the rest of us, and filling right beside him with God given love. I miss you Donnie, and it still hasn’t hit me yet that your not here, but I love you my friend and cant wait to see you again one day……. you are truly my real life superhero.
Marty Foote