Danny Harp Publishes His Intensely Personal Finding Refuge in the Ruins
Members of the Wilmington College community know Danny Harp as a joyous and extremely likable presence on campus who assists students in the recruitment and enrollment process while serving as associate director of admission/head of graduate recruitment. Not that many years ago, that happy-go-lucky figure found himself in a very dark place, feeling isolated from the beauty of life and experiencing an overwhelming sense of hopelessness.
PICTURED: Danny Harp signs a copy of his book for Wilmington College sophomore Todd Larkin during a book-signing event at Kava Haus in Wilmington in August.
Harp shares his reaction to these challenges that were further exacerbated by a devastating physical diagnosis that left him reeling in his new book, Finding Refuge in the Ruins, which was published this summer.
He hopes that, through the telling of his story, the "pockets of refuge and extraordinary miracles" he experienced will inspire others facing incomprehensible difficulties to realize there can be hope when facing despair and a light at the end of any dark tunnel.
In mid-October, Harp shared a social media post in which he had recently learned about two incidents in which persons were dealing with extremely stressful situations and feeling overwhelmed and alone. He told them they're not alone.
"This book is not just about what I faced," he said. "It's for anyone who feels alone and who longs to find a path to rediscovering their purpose and their joy. It's for anyone in search of hope or who is dealing with a situation that they feel is unescapable."
Harp, a native of Wilmington, served in ministry for 24 years upon finishing college, including nine years in youth ministry with Wilmington Church of Christ. He was known for incorporating music into his faith witness and his singing talents presented him with opportunities to perform across the country and abroad.
In 2012, an "unexplainable illness" led to his hospitalization when doctors made a "grim diagnosis" making it necessary for him to resign from the ministry and admit that he had "stumbled into something incomprehensible" for him and his family.
Begun as a journal seven years ago, Finding Refuge in the Ruins is the story of Harp's unexpected struggle, the consequences of his decisions and the divergent responses from the people in his life. In his book, he tells how he "clung to what was left among the shattered pieces of his life" as he began his difficult journey toward spiritual restoration and physical recovery.
"This is the true story of my battle with deep-rooted darkness that led to a world of isolation and a secret," he added, noting the destruction brought on by his "dangerous attempt to suppress my anguish" was layered with a devastating diagnosis that literally left his life and profession "in an unrecognizable field of debris."
Providence plays a pivotal role in Harp's redemption and his recovery in emerging from the darkness both whole and with a newfound faith endemic to ones who have, with divine assistance, successfully navigated potentially cataclysmic personal storms. The book also places an emphasis on the importance of people being prepared for life's challenges and the willingness to aid those in need without being judgmental.
Finding Refuge in the Ruins is available for purchase through Amazon and, for local persons, directly from the author.
Begun as a journal seven years ago, Finding Refuge in the Ruins is the story of Harp's unexpected struggle, the consequences of his decisions and the divergent responses from the people in his life. In his book, he tells how he "clung to what was left among the shattered pieces of his life" as he began his difficult journey toward spiritual restoration and physical recovery.
"This is the true story of my battle with deep-rooted darkness that led to a world of isolation and a secret," he added, noting the destruction brought on by his "dangerous attempt to suppress my anguish" was layered with a devastating diagnosis that literally left his life and profession "in an unrecognizable field of debris."
Providence plays a pivotal role in Harp's redemption and his recovery in emerging from the darkness both whole and with a newfound faith endemic to ones who have, with divine assistance, successfully navigated potentially cataclysmic personal storms. The book also places an emphasis on the importance of people being prepared for life's challenges and the willingness to aid those in need without being judgmental.
Finding Refuge in the Ruins is available for purchase through Amazon and, for local persons, directly from the author.