FINDING HOPE AND PURPOSE

DEWAYNE’S

“WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS GOD WORKS FOR GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.”

Romans 8:28

Hi,my name is Dewayne. I was born in Sheffield and enjoyed playing basketball, football, fishing and hanging out with family and friends. Raised by my mother, grandmothers, uncles and aunties, they all kept me in the church, and I was baptized at an early age. My mom did the best she could for me and my family. She even worked multiple jobs. With my mom working all the time I had a lot of freedom to make choices and started making the wrong ones. At the time, it seemed normal and “cool” to be around drugs, alcohol, gangs and violence. Gradually, I found myself using and selling drugs, fighting, clubbing, and in and out of jail. The people that I looked up to and considered role models were dying and going to prison. I realized that I was heading the same way.

One night, I got a phone call that I couldn’t believe. My friend told me that my little brother committed suicide. I beat myself up about it because I felt like I could have been a better example for him by showing him the right way to live. I questioned God, why did He let it happen? I started smoking and drinking more than usual. Feeling terrible and having questions, I wanted to change for the better.

Knowing I needed help, I was staying in DRM’s overnight shelter and heard about the Life Recovery Program. Though I didn’t like the fact that it was a year long, I loved that it was based on the Bible. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” With me having a background in the church and being saved, I know God and the Word was what I needed. So, I joined the program.

Since I have joined, I’ve renewed my relationship with God and rededicated my life back to Christ. A lot of the questions that I had — like why God lets so much bad happen — have been answered.

Romans 8:28 says, “We know that all things God works for good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” I’m enjoying the fellowship with my brothers in Christ, studying the Word everyday, and have joined a discipleship group, where we study and discuss the Word of God with my brothers. After I graduate, I plan on sticking around DRM and start my own discipleship group one day.

At 36 years old, I’ve been thinking about enrolling in one of the local colleges and getting a degree or trade. I also want to help the youth in the community by being a positive person that has been in tough situations and can relate to the kids going through the struggles of life.

MATTHEW’S JOURNEY TO SOBRIETY AND MINISTRY FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

my name is Matthew. I started working for the Downtown Rescue Mission a little over a year ago. I answer all the Mission’s phone calls and help with receiving the in-kind donations [such as food, clothing, toiletries] at our main campus. Also, I get to work alongside the men going through our life recovery program.

Hi,

“I STOPPED FOCUSING ON MYSELF AND STARTED POURING INTO THOSE AROUND ME. STOPPED BEING JUST A CONSUMER OF THE GOSPEL AND STARTED TRYING TO BE A CONDUIT TO OTHERS.”

About two years ago, my alcohol addiction came to a head again, and I came back to the Mission for my third time in a ten-year span, broken yet determined!

Growing up, I was constantly around alcohol since both of my parents struggled with addiction. My father passed away from cancer when I was 15 years old, which set me on a downward trajectory into a life dependent on alcohol to cope.

Through losing relationships, homes, family members, and jobs, I knew that something had to be done for good, but with all my best intentions, I kept falling over and over. I knew all the answers, I had read all the books, and I had been through all the programs, what could I do differently? So, I stopped focusing on myself and started pouring into those around me. I stopped being just a consumer of the Gospel and started trying to be a conduit to others.

Turns out focusing on Christ and those around you is quite beneficial for your own growth. Wow, who’d thunk it?!

In the Bible, God tells us that He has a future and hope for us. Now I can see that God intended all along for my hardships to be for His glory and for my training in righteousness. He has allowed me to be involved in shepherding a discipleship group, take part in a training course for Biblical counseling, which I finish next month, and have a bigger mission than myself. God has revealed that He has a future and hope for me, and I get to share that truth daily at the DRM with others just like myself.