Before You Read, A Special Note

             As is most often the case with abuse, mine occurred in isolation. The abuser seldom if ever commits their offense under the watchful eyes of others. If anything, they thrive on secrecy.  A few years after my foster mother divorced my foster father I shared with her the specifics of my abuse. She was shocked and saddened by what she heard. She stated that she left my foster father for two reasons: One, he was a "drunk" and two; she believed he was having an affair with another woman. I am dubious about an affair, but am certain of the alcohol abuse.   

          It has taken many years to come to the place where I can talk about my story of abuse in a more public setting and in a way that will be helpful to others. At forty-five, I began to experience terrifying nightmares. In those dreams I relived the specifics of my abuse screaming so loudly I would awaken my wife. One night I woke my oldest son. After much prayer and discussion with my family, I decided to launch this new ministry as an attempt to help others. So many people suffer in silence because they fear the repercussions of telling their story. Not only that, but if they are anything like me, they don't want to injure other members of the family. It is a hard spot for me to be in. I am sharing my story because somebody out there is just like me, and needs the encouragement to pull through. I am happy to say, the dreams have stopped.   

Paul's story. Is it yours, too?

  On December 13th 1961, Teresa McNally raced into St. Luke’s Hospital more than ready to give birth to, yeah, you guessed it, me.  Most mothers would be ecstatic, but not her.  She was not married and my arrival on the scene was more than she could stomach.    
            Her parents wanted nothing to do with her and as recently as 1990 were completely unaware of where she was.  In attempting to locate my biological mother, I discovered that she travels under assumed names and never stays in any one place too long.  Maybe someday I will track her down.    A state agency contacted her parents to see if they would be willing to talk with me, but they opted out.  I am convinced that if they could meet me in person, they might actually like me.  Perhaps someday they will agree to meet. 
            I hope she is still alive.   If we ever get the chance to meet, I am going to tell her about Jesus Christ.  I want her to know Him in the same way I do.    
            The cold indifference of a state bureaucracy replaced the loving caresses of a nurturing mother.  The prevailing philosophy then and now is that foster care is a healthy alternative when no other options are available.  It wasn’t in my case.  The system failed.  After eighteen months, because of neglect, I was removed from the first foster home.  The bureaucracy tried to do what was in my best interest and placed me in another foster home.  That is where my story begins.  

The full audio version of Paul's story is available free of charge in our download center.  A written copy is available through email and is also free of charge.  

About Dr. Paul E. Danielson A native of Duluth, Minnesota Paul was raised in an abusive foster home, declared mentally retarded and given little chance for success. He is a graduate of the Criswell College in Dallas, Texas where he earned a B.A. in Biblical Studies and a Masters in Pastoral Theology. He also holds a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the Tyndale Theological Seminary. He has done advanced studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as well. Paul was inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society in 1982 and Outstanding Young Men of America in 1992. Paul has over twenty years of ministry experience, serving as a counselor to at risk kids, youth pastor, professor, senior pastor of five congregations and a Christian leader and speaker. Paul has been married since 1988 and has two sons. He currently serves as a high school English teacher in Texas.