About Me

Hello, my name is Malakai White and I am 18 years old. I just recently came to CMTS Ministries for their gap year program, and this is my first newsletter to update all of you and to share about who I am.

I have lived all my 18 years in Colorado Springs with my parents, younger sister, and two dogs. I grew up in a Christian household that went to church every week and became a Christian when I was around 5-6, but I’ve always had a weak faith and didn’t really live out what I knew. I got good grades in school and straight A’s freshman year, but then I switched to a public school and it started to go downhill. My main passion in life is riding my scooter at the skatepark, and I’ve lived in the skatepark environment for about six years now. When I was 14 I competed in a local scooter competition and got first place, and was invited out to a big national competition in Arizona, where I got 9th in the nation.

My cousin Logan went through the Equip program two years before me, and about three weeks ago my mom talked to me about the program and what it was about. Initially I said, “Nah, it’s not for me, I’m content with my life here in Colorado.” That night, I couldn’t stop thinking about the program, and I prayed about it. The next day as I was waiting for the shower to heat up I saw a magazine on the counter opened to a page talking about my exact situation with the final text reading “Your life isn’t yours anymore. God has to be in control.”

Testimony

I love the skatepark, but it started to have a negative impact on me, especially with my weaker faith. I got introduced to vaping my sophomore year of high school, and then marijuana my junior year. I quickly fell in love with it, always smoking with my friends at the skatepark, but it began to take over my life. It started to come with me to work and school, getting to the point where I smoked first thing in the morning all the way until I went to bed. I was completely addicted, needing it to go to bed or to eat food or just to feel happy. Throughout all of this, the Lord was tugging at my heart. It was fun with my friends, but when I was alone He made me see the reality and ugliness of my addiction and called me to a higher place. I felt guilty a lot.

Equip

I prayed and continued to feel led to come to CMTS, and I ended up dropping everything and coming here. I had one week to prepare physically and mentally, and I was nervous that things wouldn’t work out. Surprisingly, my boss had had someone reach out to him asking for work the same day I asked if I could leave. I asked my girlfriend of two years, and she said if it’s what I felt led to do, she would support my decision to just leave abruptly. I have never strongly felt or seen God work in my life until now, and I am super excited to grow as a person and deepen my faith over these next ten months.

I have worked here for under a week so far, but I already love it here. I don’t get my phone during the week which has been hard, along with dealing with weed withdrawals and poor sleep, but it will all get better soon and I love the vocations. I learned how to replace a drive shaft, clean and repair brakes, and do a standard oil change yesterday alone. I will also learn electrical work, welding, carpentry, landscaping, and autobody skills, which I can’t wait for.

To any and all that have donated and supported this journey, thank you so much!

-Malakai