"Life can't get much worse than this," thought ten-year-old Rory. He lay next to his mom and her fiancé` on an old box spring trying to get some sleep. They couldn't afford heat or blankets, so the three huddled together in winter jackets for warmth. How on earth had he gotten into this situation, Rory wondered. He thought about his father.

Five years earlier, in Indiana, Rory's father had been shot and killed by his brother-in-law. The tragic event robbed Rory of the security and stability he needed; it also changed the course of his life. An only child, he moved with his mom to Minneapolis but things got no better. In many unhealthy ways, including the three-way sharing of cold, uncomfortable sleeping quarters, mother and son had to rely on each other for survival.

 

He started working at thirteen and was elated to be able to buy some of his own clothes. He did well in school and even earned credits from classes at a local vocational school while still attending high school. Things were getting better. And then Rory graduated from high school.

 

He was just eighteen when he learned his girlfriend was pregnant. He certainly didn't have enough money to support a family. Joined by some friends, Rory began a business venture, selling crack cocaine, to support his infant son. In a very short time, his income jumped from $500 a week to $1000 every few days. He didn't consider anything like consequences. Rory was happy that he could provide nice things for his family, even though he quickly spent as much as he made.

 

This lifestyle came to a crashing halt at the age of 21 when Rory was busted for selling crack cocaine. He spent ten months in a court-appointed boot camp, violated his parole, and went to prison.

 

"When I got to prison, I began to realize that everything happens for a reason," said Rory. He understood early on that unless he made some changes, his life would continue in a long, downward cycle. He looked into his future and saw that if he repeated his behavior he would be right back in the same dismal situation time and again. Rory began attending church. And he read the Gideon Bible he'd been given. He even began researching halfway houses. By the time of his release date, Rory had chosen to enter Damascus Way on the work release program.

 

"Once at Damascus Way," Rory said, "I did a complete 180-degree change. In prison I was still gambling [intellectually, spiritually] but here I realized there's no room for messing up." He struggled during his first months in the program to adapt to the structure that forms the backbone of the Christ-centered program.  What he found is that "if you're honest and do what you gotta do, you'll get by. The everyday Christian structure helped me start accepting God's Word and accept who He is. I began to pray every night and [learned to] understand the power of prayer. Damascus Way taught me to be humble instead of looking for the fast life. I was able to realize that there really is a God and that I really do have a relationship with Him."

 

Today, six months after graduating from Damascus Way, Rory is still working and attending church. He is able to care for his kids in a legitimate way, and wants people to know what he believes. "If you put your mind to something positive and get the Lord behind you," he declares confidently, "you can accomplish anything."

 

That's a ringing testimonial from a young man deprived of many of life's most basic provisions -- a father, security, warmth, comfort, healthy relationships, enough money. What Rory missed as a youngster God has supplied in abundance as Rory's knowledge of his heavenly Father deepens, his faith increases and his study keeps him in God's Word. Rory found the purpose to his life. He knows that things really do happen for a reason.

 

As you think about Rory, please consider this: It is your support that makes changes like this possible! I'm not writing just another fund appeal for another good cause. As I write to you today, picturing this letter in your hands, I'm asking you to put yourself in my place. Tomorrow I'll go to the Damascus Way house and look around at all the men God has brought to us. They are trusting us to provide what they need during this hard time in their lives. They are real people. They get hungry. They get lonely. They get discouraged. They need a clean place to sleep. They need a job and a safe place to come back home to. Will you help me give them what they need? Pray for them to understand what God did for them in providing a Savior. And pray for us to obey God's call to this ministry on their behalf. And send a gift of support, whatever you can as God lays us on your heart. Thank you.

 

For the men of Damascus Way,

 

Rev. Dick Harden, Director

Damascus Way Reentry Center Inc.