FEBRUARY 2022| VOL. 26 NO. 2
LOVE CONQUERS
EVERYTHING!
“I was heading down a dark path drinking
heavily and smoking marijuana. Today my walk is full of life with Jesus and I am clean and sober,” reflects Amber, a current participant in the Women’s Life Transformation Program. She tells the story of how the first time in the program she was so fresh getting to know Jesus. How He rescued her from heavy drug addiction – the hard drugs: heroin, meth, and cocaine. She shared that she learned a lot being in the program the first time, but what she wasn’t careful about was allowing the enemy a foothold back into her life. She reunited with people from her past and stopped attending church services and clean and sober meetings. Also during this setback, she met a fellow co-worker from the Mission, Kalob, who she eventually married. “Kalob was awesome,” shares Amber. “I just fell in love with who he was. He was the friend that I needed at the time. I felt I had lost some of my footing with Jesus, so I leaned on a tangible person, one that I could really count on.” “The Mission has allowed us to participate in the program again and I am thankful for the opportunity,'' states Amber. She also shared that if there is one thing she could pass on, she would tell people to “stay strong, don’t give up, any rainy day with Jesus is better than any sunshiny day without Him. Even when moments are hard just keep ahold of Jesus because He will walk you right through it.” Amber is really excited about the future. “I have asked God to keep me humble. He has given me a new career opportunity. I was accepted into a medical assistant apprentice program... I’m a little bit nervous, but I know with God all things are possible. Jesus is going to walk through this with me. It is going to be a lot of hard work and management and leaning on my family.” “I want to thank the Olympia Union Gospel Mission and Sound City Church for all the love and support. The family that I have found here. God’s family. That’s my church family and my Mission family – it's all God's family. I am very thankful for this home.”
“I was really lost. It was more like a
fog – a fog of depression and alcoholism. I didn’t know where to root myself and who my family was,” remembered Kalob, a current participant in the Men’s Life Transformation Program. He continued, “During the time I have been in the Life Transformation Program, I have felt more at home, probably more than anywhere I have ever been before. I know there are people that care for me, and I can trust a lot more. I'm not in a fog because it's now Jesus’ light shining and guiding me.” Kalob recounts he came into the Mission program to further his walk with Jesus; but he was also newly married, and really wanted his relationship with Amber to succeed. “I had a lot of issues from my past, and I didn’t want it to mess up my future with her. She is an angel, and I knew I was going to marry her at first sight.” “Going through the Life Transformation Program and being married is a challenge,” said Kalob. He went on to explain that “Becoming a new creature in Christ is exciting, even though it’s scary.” It’s not surprising that he’s learning how to compromise in marriage, that he can’t walk away from problems, and how to be honest and deal with issues in a Christlike manner. “Who I am affects not only me now, but also my wife.” Most people would say a house, a good job, and to be there for their wife is what their future holds. But Kalob states, “We want more. We want to further our ministry even including missionary work. But right now, we both want to remain here at the Mission so we can help other people.” Kalob wants people to know that the Program is not a get sober quick scheme or not just rehab. He emphasizes that “It’s really a life transformation – a change from how you see yourself, to how Christ sees the value in you. You have to give up control. You have to truly want it!”
OLYMPIA UNION GOSPEL MISSION | PO BOX 7668 OLYMPIA WA 98507 | 360.709.9725 | OUGM.ORG | FACEBOOK