Above Ground Resilience to Overcome Strength to Serve Boldly

Above Ground is the powerful story of a boy who survived unimaginable hardship in Jamaica-abandoned by his mother, abused by his godparents, and so desperate that at eight years old, he lay under a truck waiting for death. But God had other plans.

From a child who didn't know the meaning of "I love you" until age eleven, Allan Francis transformed into a respected U.S. Army combat veteran, earning both the Bronze Star and Legion of Merit during his 22-year military career. His journey from a barefoot boy scavenging for food at drive-in theaters to becoming a Chief Warrant Officer, community leader, and life coach demonstrates that your darkest hole can become your greatest training ground.

Through stories of walking barefoot across cactus paths, learning to read at age eleven, nearly drowning, and ultimately forgiving his mother, Allan shows how faith and belief can lift anyone from their deepest pit. More than a memoir, this book serves as a ladder of hope for anyone stuck in their own hole-whether it's trauma, depression, abuse, or loss.

Above Ground teaches that life offers two positions: below ground or above ground. As long as you're above ground, there's still hope, still a chance to live the life you were meant to live. Through Allan's raw honesty and hard-won wisdom, readers learn that their current circumstances are not their final destination.