07 Mar Zendell’s Story
Zendell’s old life was filled with drugs, broken relationships and years of homelessness.
“I lost everything. I didn’t know what to do. I lost people that I’d really depended on. I was sleeping outside,” he remembers. Sometimes he had a tent or sleeping bag, other times only a blanket.
When Zendell first came to Hope Ministries, he was simply looking for a place to sleep. But what he found was so much more. “I started learning stuff! I stopped thinking I knew everything, and that’s when doors started opening.”
Zendell joined our long-term life recovery program and as he’s participated in classes, work skills training, Bible studies and recovery groups, he’s experienced profound change in every area of his life. “I have a schedule—a productive schedule,” he says. “I read my Bible. I see where I fall short and think, ‘Okay, I have to work on that.’ I have a church now, and I share the Word with my family.”
Zendell earned his high-school equivalency diploma and he’s working on getting his driver’s license. He’s grateful for the continual encouragement he receives from those around him. “It’s good having this environment around you—the support, the staff. Knowing you’re not alone—that’s cool,” he says.
“I feel like I have hope in my life now,” he adds, “a different path to walk.”
“I’ve tried to do it my way and I don’t want to do that again. I fought the wrong fight for a long time. Now it’s time to fight the good fight.” —ZENDELL
Looking to the future, Zendell says that path might include pursuing a trade or even becoming a teacher. He hopes to have a family one day. But mostly, he’s intent on staying close to God. “I want to be responsible. I want to be trustworthy. If God can trust me with a little, He can trust me with a lot. I want to do something for His glory.”