Newsletter Story: Brent & David

Brent was a resident at Texas Reach Out about 12 years ago – in the letter below, he describes how David mentored him and helped him become the man he is today:

When I came out of prison, I had a pile of felonies and an address on Dovewood Drive to go to in South Austin. That was 12 years ago. I never really had a father in my life who consistently spoke about God, so David Peña was given to me as the dad I never had a chance to grow up with. Not just the year I lived at TROM, but also in the following 11 years, David and I had a friendship and bond that was unique in its father/son dynamic.

About a year after I graduated from TROM, David called me and said, “Son, you have a lot of potential.” I said, “Well thank you, David!” But he continued and said, “well, that means you haven’t done anything yet!” We both laughed because it was his way of saying: I love you, but you need to get serious about your life.

Earlier this year, I was out at his house in Bastrop, and we talked for about two hours. I reminded him of our previous conversations and we belly laughed about that again because now I have become a loving husband, a prison minister, a life coach, a frontline disaster relief Chaplain for Austin Disaster Relief Network, and a leader within the context of my community. Now David could look at me and be proud of how the Lord is using me, and we both recognize the potential that is in men and women who start their new lives in the loving embrace of TROM.

Of course, I’m clumsily writing this out through my tears because I miss him so much at times like these. David, you will always be my friend, my mentor, and most importantly, my dad. I love you David.

Your son, Brent.