There are not that many people that can say that they are truly happy. We live in a world where every one is searching for a sense of purpose. When I was about nine years old, someone planted a seed in me that have helped me come the successful young man that I am today. Gale Richardson started a youth & family retreat.
My mom, single at the time couldn’t afford to pay for my brother and I to attend this retreat let alone leave the city. Somehow Gale knew that I needed this experience, so she found a way for my brother and I to be sponsored. It was an experience on a mountain top that changed my life and that I will remember forever! There I was given the freedom to be me, be a child, be different. I saw and felt the light of life in such a dark time! Leadership was something that no longer frightened me. It was then, that I was introduced to my faith.Years have come and gone and just as times have changed so have my situations. One that has been constant is the effect of me
attending each retreat. Each time, was a spiritual, mental, and emotional refueling.
While I do not dare present myself as a perfect individual, I submit a testimony of greatness. Briefly, I’ll shed a little light into my life’s journey. For the fourteen years that I have attended the youth and family retreat, I have found myself in desperate need of help, intersession, escape and healing. Since I can remember; I never really fit in. In most cases I would get tired of that story, that feeling. I mean who wants to be the kid that’s always standing out and then grow up and be the adult that’s still standing out?
My home atmosphere was not always the best. Many of the experiences from my home life have scared me and made it hard for me to move forward in life in the past. As a teenager I found myself smiling on the outside, but crying, screaming for help or an end on the inside. A victim of
various forms of abuse, I was confused, depressed, and slowly giving into unmotivated state of mind for life. In the times that I would give myself permission to cry, I found myself wanting to die. I mean back then it just seemed like the best option. I felt like I had no purpose and like I was a curse to everyone that I came in contact with. During my college years, I would operate partially motivated, blindly and scared. I discovered as a young adult that I was walking around with all kinds of emotional baggage that needed to either be dealt with or released.
Each time that I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Gale’s youth and family retreat I found strength and confirmation of my true identity, life, and true joy. With each year that I’ve attended a higher level of maturity, faith, encouragement, drive, and joy has been attained.
During the summer of 2011 instead of needing help paying or myself, I was able to pay for my two sisters, my mom, a colleague and myself. The seed has been planted once again! I know that each of them will or may already have begun to great things. I’m assured of this simply because of my personal experience. I, twenty-seven now; have graduated from high school being accepted to over 27 programs and offered close to full rides to every program. I have attended college at a world-renowned music conservatory in Princeton, and been the first from my high school to successfully complete the program. I went on to earn my masters from NYU. I am the first of my family to attend college and currently am preparing for doctoral studies. I have traveled all over the United States, and world. I have performed on many great stages, with many choirs, conductors and famous artist. I walk in greatness!
One of the main reasons that I am who I am today is because Gale Richardson was obedient to a vision engrained in her heart. I briefly share this story for a few reasons. The first is to ask for any kind of donation that you may possibly can make. Gale Richardson still holds this youth and family retreat. She no longer has all the resources that she had fourteen years ago. Yet she still tries to make sure that any person that wants to attend goes. In most cases it leaves her completely drained and financially, broke. I’m on a mission to change that. The second reason is to invite you. My story is just one of many. Words truly can not explain what takes place on that mountain top. It’s an experience you’d have to experience for yourself. My third reason for this letter is simply
out of obedience. Although I’m not rich and famous (yet), I live by the model that it is never too early to start giving back. I’m on a mission to make a change. Yes, this is my prayer but it is also my daily task. I honestly do not know where I’d be if I never met Gale, or attended her retreats. One thing that I do know is that I am forever grateful.
William C. L. Floyd
My mom, single at the time couldn’t afford to pay for my brother and I to attend this retreat let alone leave the city. Somehow Gale knew that I needed this experience, so she found a way for my brother and I to be sponsored. It was an experience on a mountain top that changed my life and that I will remember forever! There I was given the freedom to be me, be a child, be different. I saw and felt the light of life in such a dark time! Leadership was something that no longer frightened me. It was then, that I was introduced to my faith.Years have come and gone and just as times have changed so have my situations. One that has been constant is the effect of me
attending each retreat. Each time, was a spiritual, mental, and emotional refueling.
While I do not dare present myself as a perfect individual, I submit a testimony of greatness. Briefly, I’ll shed a little light into my life’s journey. For the fourteen years that I have attended the youth and family retreat, I have found myself in desperate need of help, intersession, escape and healing. Since I can remember; I never really fit in. In most cases I would get tired of that story, that feeling. I mean who wants to be the kid that’s always standing out and then grow up and be the adult that’s still standing out?
My home atmosphere was not always the best. Many of the experiences from my home life have scared me and made it hard for me to move forward in life in the past. As a teenager I found myself smiling on the outside, but crying, screaming for help or an end on the inside. A victim of
various forms of abuse, I was confused, depressed, and slowly giving into unmotivated state of mind for life. In the times that I would give myself permission to cry, I found myself wanting to die. I mean back then it just seemed like the best option. I felt like I had no purpose and like I was a curse to everyone that I came in contact with. During my college years, I would operate partially motivated, blindly and scared. I discovered as a young adult that I was walking around with all kinds of emotional baggage that needed to either be dealt with or released.
Each time that I was blessed with the opportunity to attend Gale’s youth and family retreat I found strength and confirmation of my true identity, life, and true joy. With each year that I’ve attended a higher level of maturity, faith, encouragement, drive, and joy has been attained.
During the summer of 2011 instead of needing help paying or myself, I was able to pay for my two sisters, my mom, a colleague and myself. The seed has been planted once again! I know that each of them will or may already have begun to great things. I’m assured of this simply because of my personal experience. I, twenty-seven now; have graduated from high school being accepted to over 27 programs and offered close to full rides to every program. I have attended college at a world-renowned music conservatory in Princeton, and been the first from my high school to successfully complete the program. I went on to earn my masters from NYU. I am the first of my family to attend college and currently am preparing for doctoral studies. I have traveled all over the United States, and world. I have performed on many great stages, with many choirs, conductors and famous artist. I walk in greatness!
One of the main reasons that I am who I am today is because Gale Richardson was obedient to a vision engrained in her heart. I briefly share this story for a few reasons. The first is to ask for any kind of donation that you may possibly can make. Gale Richardson still holds this youth and family retreat. She no longer has all the resources that she had fourteen years ago. Yet she still tries to make sure that any person that wants to attend goes. In most cases it leaves her completely drained and financially, broke. I’m on a mission to change that. The second reason is to invite you. My story is just one of many. Words truly can not explain what takes place on that mountain top. It’s an experience you’d have to experience for yourself. My third reason for this letter is simply
out of obedience. Although I’m not rich and famous (yet), I live by the model that it is never too early to start giving back. I’m on a mission to make a change. Yes, this is my prayer but it is also my daily task. I honestly do not know where I’d be if I never met Gale, or attended her retreats. One thing that I do know is that I am forever grateful.
William C. L. Floyd