We're All In This Together

It’s always an interesting conversation when people ask me who I’m working with: Men, ages 17-70, struggling and fighting to overcome an addiction, many who are homeless before coming in, abused, or might have a criminal record. When I first heard I was working with this type of population, I was a bit nervous myself.

I was also intimidated. Not because I was afraid to talk to them, but because I couldn’t help but think: “how would I be able to relate to them? What do I have to offer? Why would any of them want to talk to a 23 year old American Girl who has never had any experience with addiction and recovery work at all?” Sure, I studied social work in college but this is so much different than reading about theories and practices in a text book!

Fortunately though, from the moment I walked into that centre, God has given me peace with where I am and I could immediately see Him working in so many hearts of the guys who are there. Ever since my first day, I have felt nothing but welcomed into the centre and I have learned so much. I know God has given us all different gifts to use in his service, and I am honored to be able to serve him in whatever way I can here. I always think we would both (the residents and I) be able to relate so much better if I had struggled with an addiction myself. But I have learned that even though I haven’t, I have experienced what it means to depend on something, or someone, I have felt pain, loneliness, bitterness, anger, and hopelessness. And by the grace of God, I am also able to share what it means to love and depend on someone and something so much greater than anything else-the freedom of a faith and hope in Jesus! :)

A typical day for me is 8 hours (once a week I do a sleepover with another member of staff). When I arrive the staff and I have what we call a “handover” where we are informed about what each resident has been up to on the previous shift and how they are doing. After that, we have bible study with the residents-we sing a few songs and then study the word. The devotions always reflect and encourage guys in their recovery. Monday through Friday they have groups where all the guys gather to discuss and learn about the steps through recovery and share different experiences. Lunch then follows (made by one of the residents). Throughout the day, many of the guys have one-on-one meetings with their “keyworker” to talk about practical matters (volunteer work, helping them find a flat once they’re ready to move out, any issues within the centre, etc). We also have an addiction worker who meets with each resident about once a week to counsel them individually. Most nights there is an activity-football (soccer), quiz night, praise night, or a pool competition.

I also spend a lot of time “holding the fort” or working in the main office. There, I answer the phone, take referrals, hang out with the residents, and hand out medications or petty cash. I’ve really enjoyed my time “holding the fort” because it gives me a chance to get to know the residents and their story on a more informal basis.

So far the biggest struggle for me has been seeing one of the residents leave after only being in for a little over two weeks. He arrived not long after I came to Bethany so it was nice talking to someone else who also was “new.” Unfortunately though he decided he wasn’t ready for recovery and wanted to leave after already attempting to go a couple times earlier on in the week.

It was hard for me to see him go but the more I thought about it I began to feel like there was hope that he will come back one day. It’s not easy for anyone to accept the fact that by coming to recovery they need to give up their dependency, their old friends, their hobby, and their previous life.

The fact is, God does not love you or I anymore than he loves anyone else in this world. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We’re all in this together, not one of us better than another. We fall down and we have to get back up again. It may take a couple of times to get something right but the good news is God is with us through it all and he will NEVER give up on any of us.

Please pray for the men staying at Bethany Christian Centre.
Romans 12:12- “Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.”