David Myland

In January of 2002 I did not know who I was. My life consisted of partying, drug using and drug selling and everything that came with those choices. I did not have a care in the world. My lifestyle would ultimately lead to a group of men and myself taking the life of Spencer Macleod. As a result, I am serving a 20 years to life sentence for the murder.

Now, you would think that would’ve opened my eyes. But instead I entered prison and continued on with the same façade I manifested over the years, never truly taking any responsibility for my actions in life or on that tragic night. The truth is I never realized I needed forgiveness from Spencer’s family. It was not until years later that I finally opened my eyes to my warped sense of reality. In a program called 2nd Thoughts Inc., I was challenged to re-evaluate my thinking process. In doing so I made a decision in 2010 that would change my life. I sent a letter of apology to Spencer’s mother, Robin, a decision I will always cherish.

Through God’s grace, Robin had the courage to respond to my letter. For the next few years we corresponded through the mail, talking a lot about God and how Jesus was working in her life. Eventually I heard about Jermaine and the work he was doing in Jesus’ name, so I reached out to him and we began speaking more about God. This led me to giving my life to God and accepting Jesus Christ as my lord and savior in January of 2013.

I can remember that night vividly. Jermaine led me through prayer and immediately I felt the Holy Ghost in me. I felt as if I had taken drugs. I was on cloud 9. What a beautiful feeling, feeling God’s love. Eventually I would ask Robin and Jermaine to come visit me here in prison. And once again Robin’s courage showed up and through the grace of God she and Jermaine came to visit me. I can remember that first encounter face to face with emotions running high. I reached out to shake Robin’s hand and instead she embraced me with a hug. The forgiveness I felt in that moment, the love I felt, can only be explained by God’s grace through Robin, a truly sincere and mature Christian.

Today I have never felt so free and I owe it all to the power of forgiveness. Today I am a servant of God.