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.”

What is Bethany anyway?

First month down! As I sit back and reflect on my time here in Edinburgh so far, I can’t help but praise God for all he has given me. I’m attending a bible study every Tuesday where I have met some great friends, going to work everyday is something I look forward to, and being surrounded by an environment that I’m not quite used to yet excites me!

Since my last update I have been through about 3 weeks of induction at the centre which in turn has helped me quite a bit in understanding the extent of what Bethany Christian Trust does for Edinburgh. Just to clear things up a bit, I’ll give you the break down because it is a really awesome organization! It offers 7 levels of care within Edinburgh:

1. Street Work- Nightly food, blankets and clothing; drop in centres providing basic support, addiction and housing advice
2. Emergency Accommodation (Bethany House)-Resettlement Hostel
3. Specialist Units
-Bethany Centre (this is where I work)-residential addictions unit for men
-Matthew House-resettlement hostel for young men
-Martha House-supported hostel for young women
4. Supported Housing
5. Home Furniture Provision- furniture for people who are on low income
6. Community Education- Bridging the gap between homeless services and formal education; Supporting vulnerable people through formal education; Facilitating volunteering and employment opportunities
7. Community Integration- Providing networks and skills to prevent homelessness Employment, apprenticeships and volunteering placements

Bethany is great because it’s the type of organization that is intervening at all levels of poverty and helping people break the cycle, allowing them to live on their own as an active member of the community. It’s also completely God centered but not restricting to anyone who wants to come in who is not a Christian.

Working at the centre-The staff is friendly and very hospitable. They are all super funny and down-to-earth which makes for a fun and family-like atmosphere.

Pretty cool, eh?

First week!

Family and Friends, Welcome to my blog! This is where you can find my monthly updates.

As most of you already know, I am in Edinburgh, Scotland for the next year with the ELCA Lutheran Church's-Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM). I am also here through a program called Time For God (TFG) which YAGM partners with. TFG places volunteers all around the United Kingdom. My placement is at Bethany Christian Centre where I will be working on the recovery side of things as men are overcoming addictions. The centre provides access to a Christian recovery program including structured group work, one-to-one support, recreation, work activities and training opportunities.

I have been here in Edinburgh for a week now. Prior to coming I was in Chicago for a week with the rest of the YAGMs doing training for our year abroad. Other young adults are spending their year all over the world-Kenya, South Africa, Jeruselum/West Bank, India, Slovakia, Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, and the UK (mostly in England). Like I said, I am in Scotland and to be honest, this is the last place I thought I would end up after I applied. I thought for sure I would be somewhere in Africa because of my experience there but I guess that's not where God wanted me. And I'm okay with that! So far I love Edinburgh and I am overjoyed to start this next year learning about my purpose here and how God will use me.

The past couple weeks have been packed with saying goodbye to family and friends, forming new relationships, learning about a new culture, how to understand the Scottish accent, and adapting to different accommodation and lifestyle. While it has all been a bit tiring, I feel a lot more prepared with coming into this experience after the week in Chicago. We talked a lot about what it means to be a missionary and how we as young adults should go about being a missionary in the 21st century by having a "ministry of presence." Basically, this is more relationship based rather than preaching on the streets and forcing faith on someone.

I am now living in a flat with 4 others who are working at Bethany as well. We come from all over the place-Northern Ireland, Sweden, Tanzania, Uganda, and me, the American. The next two weeks we all have more induction stuff but after that we should be on more of a normal schedule and I'll be able to tell you more about what my job will be! All in all, I'm happy to be here and so blessed to have you all supporting me! Peace and God bless!!

If you feel like sending me some mail...my address is :)

313/6 Leith Walk
Edinburgh, Scotland
EH6 8SA