Ex-pornographer and preacher’s kid Donny Pauling blogs:
Once the podcast was over, we got to the real reason we’d all gathered. I asked JR what the topic of the day would be and he told me we were filming for The Esther Fund.
In attendance was a very well known porn actor who left the business and gave his heart to God a little over 6 months ago. As of now, he’s not ready to release his name or porn name so I’ll keep it confidential. In his niche, he’s well known. We’ll leave it at that for now.
And now we’ve arrived at the part where I tell all of you a bit more detail about the Esther Fund and encourage you to support it in any way you can. I’ll speak from my own perspective.
When I left porn I left a lucrative income. Because of the nature of the porn world, money will always be pouring into it. I had a “live for the moment” attitude and blew every penny of the very large amount of money I made. Why? Because all I had to do to get more money was to wake up the next day and pick up a camera. More money was there for the taking. Saving was always something I’d do later. I remember the first month I made more than $50,000 (yes, for a single month): it was all spent by the middle of the following month. Yes, it’s possible to blow money like there’s no tomorrow. But I digress.
On the day I surrendered my life to God I decided I’d never again pick up a camera for the purpose of shooting porn. Problem was, there were bills to pay and shoots scheduled that would pay them. I knew I’d have to give up most of my “possessions”, but that really didn’t bother me. They brought no fulfillment anyway. The one thing I was concerned about, however, was how I’d continue to pay Wendy, my ex-wife. Without money from me, she and my son would be in a world of hurt. I left the business with no plan in mind. I just knew I had to get out and had a feeling God would provide. He didn’t disappoint me. The first way he helped was through the Esther Fund, (although I don’t think it had that name quite yet). I didn’t give a crap about money for myself, but I told XXXChurch my concerns for Wendy and Caden, and checks started showing up in her mailbox. That support took a huge load off my mind and completely negated any desires to continue producing porn in order to provide for her. Had it not been for the help I received during those crucial first days, my story might be different. Who knows.
Today, the porn star I mentioned earlier let me know that because of the Esther Fund, some very vital parts of his survival had been met. If I were able to speak freely I’d tell you exactly what is being provided and you’d better understand how amazing and important this fund has become to those who leave the world of porn.
On a sidenote: I’ll be attending Seminary soon and it’s the Esther Fund that makes THAT possible.