From Being Found In A Garbage Can To Letting Everyone Know That They Have a Purpose, This is Kim Deardorff’s Story 

By Paula Pinto 

 

Kim Deardorff

Kim Deardorff’s story is one that makes me,  a writer,  forget that I am working and rather I am caught between the compassion my heart feels and my duty  to capture each word he says down on paper.  Kim’s story is one that is unlike anything you’ve possibly heard, as his life was marked with a tragic beginning just days after his birth. Found in a garbage can by pedestrians in Soel, Korea when he was only a few days old, the infant was brought to HOLT International, an orphanage that was founded by Henry and Bertha Holt following the Korean War.  The child, who had not a name and without ever knowing what day he was born was named Kim and given a birth date of January 1, 1964.  Kim was immediately admitted into a hospital for a condition which almost caused him to lose his eyesight.  

It was four months later when Americans arrived at the HOLT facility with hopes of adopting a child that Kim was chosen to return home with a family from Michigan. As the elated couple's experienced the joy of being with the children, the facility was struck with a sudden tragedy. Henry Holt, the man who opened the doors to take children in to the facility died of a heart attack.  The sadness of losing a man committed to helping orphans by acting on his belief that no child should be left abandoned, was something that caused utter grief throughout the organization.  Photo: Kim Deardorff

Sadly, Kim’s story was not marked with a happy, new beginning, when adopted. By the age of three, the young child had been subjected to both physical and emotional abuse by his adopted parents and was reminded daily that he was “worthless,” he said, during a recent interview.

“I think they had good intentions at first,” Kim said.

Kim witnessing to thousands of people during his concert

Yet, somehow the good intentions had turned into mistreatment towards him and it began to tear at the scars of rejection that already existed.  Kim, then just a young child, felt alone and isolated.  With nowhere to turn for love and acceptance, he retreated to the thing that brought him some sort of consolation, his piano.  By the age of three Kim was already playing the piano and by the time he was five he had started writing music. For as long as he could remember, the piano was a way that he felt directly connected to God and God connected with him. During moments of hopelessness and neglect, he found purpose as he played and each key he struck was likened to a spoken word to God. Knowing all too well what it was to be in a world where it seemed no one wanted part of him or to hear his voice, the piano became his way of expressing himself. 

Kim’s mother attended a Seven Day Adventist church, and therefore he was taught about Christ through reading his bible, but he recalls it to be more of a strict religious experience with many rules.

“It was a very rigid religious experience, not a relationship with Jesus Christ.” 

In his teens Kim’s parents got divorced, and their divorce only added  to the pain he already felt.

His father was living in a hotel and his mother began dating frequently and did not want Kim to be home when her boyfriends’ would come over.  Once again abandoned, by the hands of those who were supposed to nurture him, Kim was taken in by his High School Physics teacher, Randy Danger.  Upon beginning college, Kim did so with an emptiness that left him searching for belonging. He started hanging out with a group of guys that were involved in martial arts.

While he didn’t state that they were terrible company, he did mention that they were not of good influence on him.

His search of belonging continues....It was during college that Kim took a course titled “The Life and Teachings of Christ.” Part of the curriculum for the class was to read a book titled “Desire of Ages,” which was full of scriptures taken from the bible. In fact, for Kim, reading the book was like reading the bible. The course offered him a deeper understanding of Christ. The book offered Kim enlightening experience that opened the doors to a deeper understanding and relationship with Christ.

 “I believe that through the Bible we can gain powerful life changing experiences that we can't get through any other book.  It's my true life line, inspiring and transformative connection to the Great Creator God and something I could never live without!” Kim said. “I must say that throughout my life God has put incredible mentors in my path and one of mentors and a person I credit for helping change the course of my life was a man named Larry Otto,” Kim said. Otto was on the music faculty at college and had a small singing group that would tour and represent the college around the southeast. “He told me that he wanted me to play for his group and I told him that I would love to be able to but my insecurity made me feel like I wouldn't be able to actually do it,” Kim said.  Yet, Otto believed in Kim and insisted that he could succeed despite his insecurities. Otto helped him to realize that he could accomplish something with his life. 

Both Otto and Danger, are among the greatest influences in Kim’s life. Kim said of Danger that "he recognized that I had a gift and passion for music and really encouraged me to keep going.

Kim Deardorff playing the piano during concert to thousands

Everyone should have someone like that in their life!”   From being found in a garbage can to living his passion, music has now taken Kim across the globe and this summer Kim was honored to become a Kawai piano artist.   

“Being selected is truly a special opportunity for me and one I would have never dreamed possible but God knew this before I was even born.  Kawai is one of the leading piano manufactures in the world and their rooster of artist are some of the most accomplished and renown artist in the world of Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock and Christian music,” Kim said.

To add to this wonderful accomplishment, Kim also shared the many other doors he feels God has opened for him.   Photo: Kim Deardorff playing the piano

“It's given me the chance to work with companies like:  Walt Disney World, The Discovery Channel, ABC, Sea World, NASA, The Hard Rock Cafe, Sony, Warner, BMG and many others.  

While I was on the Winter Jam tour I was introduced to one of the chaplains for the NASCAR Nationwide series and he invited me to come and share my story and music at their event at the Nashville Motor Speedway.  I was honored to speak at their chapel service for the drivers and crew members.  I got to meet  Carl Edwards and many other drivers, owners and mechanical staff including the Goodyear tire team.  It was my first time to see a NASCAR race and it was very exciting,” Kim said.  Despite Kim's limitless talent and worldwide acclaim, he possess a humble spirit which is captivating by those who have the pleasure of speaking to him. He does not boast of his achievements but rather shows reverence towards God for where he has taken him and the things he has brought him through.

Kim, a man who had plenty of reasons to remain bitter due to prior circumstances, is full of the love of Christ for others! As you listen to him play songs such as “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” among others songs, it is undeniable that as he strokes each key, it is though it is though you are listening to a prayer of thanksgiving. Kim uses this instrument to let others know the compassion and grace of Jesus Christ.  Kim’s voice of hope is now shared through organizations such as the “The Stars Foundation.” The Stars Foundation, and entertainment industry humanitarian aid organization, recently invited Kim Deardorff to join its International Speakers Bureau for Orphans.

As the founder of World Orphans Day, the story of Kim's journey from orphans to advocate touched the heart of Cheryl Clemmons.  "Kim has the heart and passion we seek in bringing awareness to others of the plight of the displaced children in the global community. Currently there are 145,000.000 displaced and orphaned children in the world needing the touch and love of another person-- whether donor, foster parent, or advocate, we can all make a difference by reaching out to help in some way", Cheryl said. 

The Stars Foundation has helped facilitate over 50 containers of food to the displaced children in Haiti. Cliff Feldman, noted humanitarian aid expert, leads these efforts for The Stars Foundation, which distributed over $40,000,0000 worth of medicines and supplies to Honduras, Guatemala, and African countries this year, in addition to the work in Haiti.  The organization partners with many celebrities and personalities including Buddy Jewell, Stella Parton and members of the NASCAR organizations like Geoff Bodine and the Raush Yates Engines: Greg Biffle, Richard Petty and Carl Edwards.  The organization’s main event is World Orphan's Day where they help highlight and bring awareness to the plight of orphans one day a year. 

Kim also works very closely with Holt International. It is now the oldest and largest international adoption agency in the world.  Moved by faith and a firm belief that all children deserve permanent, loving homes, Harry and Bertha Holt began their lifelong mission in 1955.

Overcoming legal and cultural barriers, they sought families for children orphaned by the Korean War. With this act of love, two farmers from rural Oregon revolutionized international adoption.

Today, Holt International strives to uphold their vision: to find loving homes for children regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or gender. Kim also partners with Chosen International, an organization that is dear to his heart because it brings hope, healing and purpose to post adoptees who are in search of their true identity and purpose through what Christ has accomplished for them on the cross.  

The Director and Founder of Chosen International, Cindy Bigelow, was mentioned in high regard by Kim for the exceptional work she does for the organization as well as her impact on his life.

Bigelow is the recipient of the Angels Adoption Award from the White House.  “It is a true Christian ministry that helps answer every adoptee's questions of abandonment and who am I and why am I here and does God have a real purpose for my life even though I was a cast away.  

They are located in Oregon and that is where I started my speaking ministry and is the main reason for me pursuing my passion to speak out for the orphans,” Kim said.

When asked how he felt about his past, Kim said, “My greatest blessing in life was to be found in a garbage can because if God could rescue me there when I was in my most helpless state and unable to help save myself, I know he can rescue me from anything I face today.”  As a devout Born Again believer, Kim continues to tell the compelling story of how Christ saved him “twice," the first time from a garbage can in Soel, Korea and the second time when he accepted Christ into his heart. 

Through Kim’s music, motivational speaking and on his website at www.mystorykim.com, he is committed to sharing with others that regardless of your past and what you have been through, you have a purpose.