Gone from our touch, but never from our hearts!

God has given me a reason to help others start anew and the reason is you

 August 21, 2006

The photo on this page is of my son, Dereck Lance McLinn.  Dereck was born on August 24^th, 1970 in Pratt , Kansas .  Dereck died on November 2^nd, 2004 in Corpus Christi , Texas at the age of 34.  Dereck first entered the doors of Mission 911 on September 3^rd, 2004 .  At the time I brought him here he had just come in off a run of using meth which began the evening of August 27^th, 2004 .  He wasn’t able to stay at the mission because he first needed some time to detox.  I took him to Memorial hospital where he stayed until September 15^th, 2004 .  I have reason to believe that after his hospital stay he decided to have another run with his drug using because he didn’t come to our home for help until September 17^th, 2004 at 6:50 a.m. Dereck finally ended back up at Mission 911 on Monday September 20^th, 2004 . Shortly after his arrival at the Mission I took Dereck to purchase a plastic tub, such as this one, with similar items in it to begin his stay at the Mission and to hopefully begin a program of recovery.  Unfortunately for all of us, Dereck chose to leave Mission 911 on Sunday October 3^rd, 2004 . For the next month we worried about him and prayed for his safety. On Wednesday evening November 3^rd, 2004 while listening to the 5 p.m. news, our worst nightmare became our reality.  We heard Dereck’s name on the news and learned of his death. Dereck’s drug usage had led him to commit his final crime which resulted in him shooting and killing an innocent person and in turn, he was shot and killed. All of our hopes and dreams for him turning his life around and turning away from a life of drugs and crime were gone in an instant. We are sharing this story with you in the hope that you will take advantage of the opportunity that God has given to you today.  We are giving you these items in memory of my son, Dereck, and to let you know that we care about you and your future. Please take this opportunity seriously. You never know when it may be your last. You are in our prayers. May God bless and be with you.

 In Christ’s love,

Dereck’s mom

Spare me, Lord! Let me recover and be filled with happiness again before my death. -PSALM 39:13

Dereck’s 911 Box

• Plastic tub with lid
• 1 set of Twin sheets with pillow case
• 1 bed Pillow
• 1 Towel and 1 washcloth
• Water thermos
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Toothbrush case
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush and comb
• Shampoo
• Body wash
• Bible
• Journal and ink pen
• Wallet
• 3 pair of white tube Socks
• Shaving cream
• 2 Disposable razors