Tony
Tony was born at the Dover, Delaware Air Force Base. He lived in England for three years, then San Antonio for six years. He entered our STAR program in July 2008 and in his words, this was his life before coming to Hope Ministries:

“My life before cocaine: nice place, cars, clothes, full-time job. But I had a drug problem. I had been married, but drugs kicked it. July 4, 2008, I was in Salisbury, Maryland, under a bridge, smoking crack, and here came Celeste. She was looking for another guy, but came up to me. I was real toasted.” [Celeste Savage of Salisbury, Maryland, along with others in her area with a heart for the homeless, has spent the past years establishing a ministry for the homeless and hungry in Salisbury using Hope Ministries as a model. Prior to getting the Salisbury program off the ground, Celeste routinely made it possible for men in Salisbury to come to Hope Ministries for help. Tony is one of those men.]

Here are Tony’s thoughts from throughout his months in our program:



July '08: I was scared to pick up a Bible because I didn’t understand it. But Pastor Bill [Bill Primrose, case manager at our Bethel Mission facility] explained it so well. This is the first time I’ve ever opened a Bible.

August '08: I’m leaning toward being a Christian 100%.

September '08: God is the one I love the most.

October '08: I’ve learned to be at peace. I can feel things moving in me.

December '08: I wish my grandmother had seen this side of me. I wish she could have seen this. I see change in myself. I’m going to live my life for Jesus. I’m going to build a strong support group around myself. I want to be a productive part of society. I was an unbeliever once in my life, but I want people to know there is a better future if you put Christ first!


Tony is employed at a local events center and is moving into his own apartment, the same building as another STAR graduate. He attends Vineyard Church.


Brad
Brad grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and entered our STAR program in October 2008. These were his thoughts upon entering our program:

“I’ve been living like a nut for most of my life. I began drinking alcohol at 15, doing pot at 17 and meth at 18. Now I’ve been homeless for two years. I can dedicate one year of my life to do the right thing.”

And here are his thoughts from throughout his months in our recovery program:



October '08: Continuing strong relationship with Rock Power Church. I’ve started tithing. I really miss my children in Utah. I lost them due to my alcohol abuse. I was selfish. I didn’t care about my kids...but now I love them.

November '08: Happiness gives me energy. I can hardly contain it. Worried that some family still may hold things against me, but I have a lot more peace.

December '08: I talked with both of my sons and my daughter by phone!

March '09: I’m more at ease. Everything is better with my family, kids, even my ex-wife. My family has been more receptive than I believed I could expect. My children are back in my life. They are my motivation. A month ago I wasn’t going to stay to the end of the program, but now I am.


Brad is enrolling in school this fall and currently works as a painter. He attends Rock Power Church and will soon be moving to his own apartment.


Johnnie
Johnnie was born in England and has dual citizenship. His father was in the Air Force and his parents are both Christians. Like Brad, Johnnie came to Hope Ministries from Maryland. He is married to his wife Angelique, whom he met at a Christian camp, and during the weeks leading up to his graduation from our program, he counted the seconds to his flight home.

Before coming to Hope Ministries, Johnnie says his Christian life was merely a show for others. Johnnie drank to forget things he had done. His life took a downward spiral one evening when he was high on drugs and arrested: “I always thought I was a failure, and I was always looking for failure.” But while reaching out for help, something in Johnnie began to change. This is what he wrote on his third day at our Bethel Mission facility: “I’m here to get back on track with my walk with God, to learn the Bible and to never return to drugs and alcohol. I want to learn new ways to say ‘no.’ I want to better my marriage and reconnect with my family…mostly God. I DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP.”

And here’s what he wrote throughout his months at Hope Ministries:



March '09: Wife flew in...“You’ve changed. I feel secure around you.” Monday she packed up, we ate sandwiches, her plane left. It was extremely hard to say goodbye.

April '09: I have a good feeling about my future. It won’t be on the street but a Godly father in my home. My sister-in-law has stopped drinking. My dad has backed off from drinking. My brother has rededicated himself to the Lord. I never knew how my life was affecting my family before because I was always worried about me.

May '09: Angelique is going to church with my parents. She is going to women’s Celebrate Recovery. I’m getting better every day. Now I’m asking God what he wants as opposed to me telling Him what I want.


Johnnie is moving back home to Maryland to be reunited with his wife and will work full-time as an electrician.