When we crashed on the doorstep of Restoring the Soul, we were way beyond typical missionary “burn-out.” We were casualties of war—broken, scared that our wounded hearts and marriage would never heal.

After 15 years living and discipling among several African people groups, we had every reason to feel fulfilled. Instead, the joy of ministry had evaporated into the stresses of mid-life and performance-drivenness for me—pain and pre-menopausal depression for my wife. No wonder she hardly noticed when I began turning to soul-deadening addictions to fill the void where my intimacy with Christ used to be.

The spiritual forces who (according to tribal legend) lived in our area must have gloated when I finally hit bottom. Like the opening scene of M.A.S.H, we evacuated ourselves to Denver and collapsed into the process of having our souls restored through a soul care counseling intensive.

Many hands of grace helped carry our “stretchers” back then—friends, our mission agency, even strangers. But Michael Cusick above all served as God’s scalpel. He helped us dig out the lies we believed, face dark truths we dreaded, and enter into the shame and pain I, especially, had buried decades ago. Michael stayed with us to help birth our new marriage and teach us to dance again—with God and each other. He’s even played a critical role in our restoration to new, exciting ministry contributions locally, nationally, and internationally.

It’s blazing autumn right now in Denver. After months of seeing only gray inside and out, we’re experiencing life in color again.”