Mission News: HUMMMMMMM!

The banquet hall was humming with applause and song to celebrate the graduation of 43 men from the 12 month recovery program at Helping Up Mission. Forty-three men, whose pasts have been defined by their drug(s) of choice and years of active addiction, with 17 years being the average. All 43, ranging in age from 27 to 66, have been clean for one year. Most are presently employed with a combined income of $770,000, contributing to city taxes, rather than costing the city court fees and jail expenses. These men know that a changed life requires a changed heart and their smiles are a reflection of the joy that comes from a place deep within.

Here are some of the lessons learned as expressed by the graduates.

• Sit still and let God work on me!
• Keep my focus on God!
• God will always be there for me!
• The things I learned early in life from family and church were right.
• Humility!
• Depend on the Holy Spirit to give me strength to forgive those who hurt me.
• God will help me face my problems head-on!
• How to forgive myself!
• Personal discipline
• Go forward, not backward - don't dwell on past mistakes.
• There are great brothers I can lean on during time of trial.
• Live life on God's terms.
• Be patient and wait on God... he eventually shows the way !!!
• God is good all the time.
• Be honest with myself!
• Through God all things are possible!
• Accept things I cannot change!
• I realized how much I was loved.