Join the 'revive - 2011 Spring Campaign'

Did you know that over 200 people committed their lives to Christ last year through Water Street Ministries? Plus thousands of lives were touched through our practical expressions of Christ’s love.

Everything we do is made possible through donations, but recently donations haven’t been matching ministry costs. Over the last 3 years, we’ve been operating in a deficit. Because of previous donors’ generosity, we have been able to pull from savings and investments to cover those deficits. We felt it was important to continue serving the community during these difficult economic times.

However we cannot continue to apply this strategy into the future. As we look at 2011 through 2013, we either need to see donations increase or we will need to reduce services.

This Spring, we’re inviting you to revive your partnership with Water Street Ministries. Through your prayers and your giving, you can revive lives and advance God’s Kingdom.

Will you join us?
- Send a special gift this Spring. Donate online.
- We welcome your wisdom and counsel. Email us at Contact@WaterStreetMinistries.org.
- Commit to pray for God’s wisdom, provision, and the organization as a whole. Sign up for our Prayer Calendar.

For more information, visit www.WaterStreetMinistries.org/Revive, email Contact@WaterStreetMinistries.org or call Keith at (717) 358-2010.

Give It Away to Keep It

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

About two years ago, I had significant back surgery but was not ready to surrender to the idea that my body had given out. At the same time, a Water Street Ministries flyer came through our church mailbox, and the mentoring program at the Mission jumped out at me. I am an alcoholic with 20+ years of sobriety under my belt. The old AA saying is, “give it away to keep it”, so what better opportunity than to share some counsel and hope from my own experiences with destitution, homelessness and depravity? I could do this whether or not my back healed.

Thus started my relationship with my mentee, George. In the 12+ months I’ve known him, I’ve seen him blossom from a person hiding in an angry shell to a person with feelings and compassion.

Not too long ago, I attended “Landmarks”, a ceremony celebrating Water Street Mission clients’ landmarks on their journeys out of homelessness. The stories were nothing but amazing. As George got up to share, I thought, “Could this man be the same person I met so many months ago?” He is not; he is a new being on both the outside and inside by the grace of God. I look forward to continuing my relationship with George and being a part of what God is doing throughout Water Street Ministries. By Bill Holder, Volunteer Mentor, Water Street Mission

We hope you enjoyed article 7 of 8 from the Messenger magazine - Winter 2011 Edition! Sign Up to receive the Messenger magazine electronically, here!

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Celebrating at a Concert Together

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

Jim Stanton • Program Counselor

“Where you go, I’ll go, where you stay, I’ll stay, when you move, I’ll move, I will follow you.” These lyrics are by Jason Ingram, Reuben Morgan and Chris Tomlin in the song: I WILL FOLLOW. I can say that they really sunk into my head and heart one memorable night at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA as singer, Chris Tomlin sang them March 8, 2011. A co-worker, Mark Noel, and I had the luxury of enjoying the concert with 2 van loads of men from the LifeRecovery Program at Water Street Mission. Men who had previously lived in addiction, prison, and various levels of life apart from God’s will had joined us and thousands in worship and surrender to the "YOU", Almighty God!

For my life to move forward in surrender and obedience to God it actually involved a move for my wife and I to the big city of Lancaster and taking on a job as a Program Counselor to men who needed help, and yes, lots of love. God had prepared my heart to love others that some folks might find difficult to love unconditionally. The same song included these words: “Who you love, I’ll love, how you serve, I’ll serve, If this life I lose, I will follow you.” Humbled by this challenge I turned to my co-worker and mentioned that the men standing in worship together with us are “who you love, I’ll love.”

We love hearing from you! Post your comments below, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation!

Previous Posts in this Series:

Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God

Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love

Dying to be FREE

She Walked In

Caught Between Egypt & the Promised Land

Quitting is the easy part!

Preventing Teen Drug Use

Realizing our addictions (remember... even Jesus was tempted)

Now That Was God

Access to Health & Hope

Healing from Hurts, Hang-ups & Habits

A Journey to Christ

Children's Prayers Reach God's Ears

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Children’s Prayers Reach God’s Ears

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

Article 6 (of 8) in the Messenger magazine - Winter 2011 Edition -

By Nikki Norton, Teacher, Wonder Club Early Learning Centers

One morning at Wonder Club as we were taking prayer requests, a student said, “Pray for my sister; she drinks too much beer.” The request reminded me of my own childhood.

My parents were addicted to heroine, cocaine, and alcohol. Because of their drug use, there was domestic violence in our home. My parents even stole money from me and my four brothers. We became homeless when I was 15 years old, and the seven of us lived in one motel room for over two years. Eventually my father lost his job because of drugs, and my two older brothers began using drugs.

Feeling hopeless, I remember sitting on my bed and wishing that someone or something would change my family.

At age 22, I met a group of Christians who shared the love of Christ with me. After a really bad fight with my mom while she was high, I ran to my room, fell on my knees, and cried, “If You are real, if You are who these Christians say You are, then show me.” Later that night I gave my life to Christ.

I changed, but my family did not. I remember coming home from Bible study to find my parents and brothers high. Then, after three years of prayer, my parents, brothers and grandfather gave their lives to the Lord and allowed Him to start restoring all that drugs and alcohol had taken.

Over the years I have come to learn the difference between a wish and a prayer. A wish is like a balloon released in the air; we watch it having no clue where it will land. A prayer has a destination; it goes straight to God’s ear.

This revelation is something that we teach our Wonder Club students regularly. I may not know the specifics of the students’ home lives or which students are growing up with addictions in their home, but God does. He cares for each of the students at Wonder Club and has a plan for them just like He had a plan for me. As we teach our students how to pray, I know He hears the prayers, aimed directly at His ears, of students struggling with addiction in their homes.

We love hearing from you! Post your comments below, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation!

Previous Posts in this Series: Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love Dying to be FREE She Walked In Caught Between Egypt & the Promised Land Quitting is the easy part! Preventing Teen Drug Use Realizing our addictions (remember... even Jesus was tempted) Now That Was God Access to Health & Hope Healing from Hurts, Hang-ups & Habits A Journey to Christ

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

A Journey to Christ

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction. When I look back at it now, I see that God guided me to Him. Each step of my journey led to the next. Each step was needed to get me to where I am today. Each step I was given a choice, yes or no, good or bad, right or wrong. Even the bad decisions I made were necessary to bring me to where I needed to be. They were lessons I needed to learn. I can look back now and see God working through it all. The times when I thought to myself; is this all there is, isn’t there anything more in life, these are the moments that God gave me to realize that He was what I needed. Even though I didn’t turn to Him, He still continued to guide me and protect me. He knew where, when, why, and how. And He knew in the end, I would be His.

Me, being a mortal man, did not want to give up my will. I kept telling myself I can do it, I don’t need any help. All the while I kept spiraling down, falling farther into a pit of despair and hopelessness. I knew the whole time that I was falling deeper, yet I was unable to stop myself. I even came to the realization that I wanted to see the bottom, I wanted to see just how far down I could go.

Well, I found the bottom; I saw what it looked like to me. It wasn’t the suicide attempts, or living on the streets, or 3 weeks in a mental hospital, or Lancaster County Prison, or even walking into Water Street Mission. The bottom for me was my wife telling me that I was not the man she married. That was when I realized that not only did I need help, but I also wanted the help. I saw the bottom, now there was nowhere else to go but up.

The question that now remained was, how do I climb back up. At the time it seemed impossible. I didn’t even know how or where to begin. How do I begin to rebuild a life that I deliberately tried to destroy? Unbelievably, the answer to that question came from a doctor at the Water Street Health Services. Through a conversation with him, I learned that Christ was the Way. While the doctor prayed, I accepted Christ as my Savior. At that moment I actually felt a giant weight being lifted from my shoulders. I found my place to start, it was with God, and Jesus was the Way.

Since that day in April, 2010, the transformation has been incredible. It can be summed up in one word, hope. Although I am still homeless, unemployed, and estranged from my family, I now know there is hope. I feel there is a purpose to my life, a reason to go on. At this point I don’t know what all God has planned for me, I don’t know what his purpose for me is. But the one thing I do know is that there is hope, and that my life has been and will continue to be, A Journey To Christ. - From a Resident

We love hearing from you! Post your comments below, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation! Previous Posts in this Series: Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love Dying to be FREE She Walked In Caught Between Egypt & the Promised Land Quitting is the easy part! Preventing Teen Drug Use Realizing our addictions (remember... even Jesus was tempted) Now That Was God Access to Health & Hope

Healing from Hurts, Hang-ups & Habits

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Healing from Hurts, Hang-ups & Habits

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

Article 5 (of 8) in the Messenger magazine - Winter 2011 Edition! This article is adapted from an interview between Emily Towers, Residential Administrative Assistant, and our staff facilitators of Celebrate Recovery.

One of the deadliest elements of addiction is isolation; it is easier to maintain an addiction when no one else sees it. On the other hand, relationships allow us to air the hurt that we ignore through the addiction.

In the Women’s Transitional Program at the Water Street Mission, we use a twelve-step class called Celebrate Recovery to help clients who struggle with addiction. The course is also intended to be part of the after-care for women who have moved out of homelessness, by providing a place they can stay connected with current clients and staff.

The materials, provided through a grant from The Huston Foundation, are based on Biblical principles, like the Beatitudes, and focus on God’s freeing power. We recognize Jesus Christ as the one who creates true heart change and heals us from hurts, hang-ups or habits.

As we are building relationships in the class with our clients through the bond of similar struggles, the clients are building relationships with each other. For many of the women this is the first time they have shared their addictions with anyone. Ultimately, it is our relationships with others and God which allow us to authentically share our hearts and heal our wounds.

In recovery, when someone stops practicing one addictive behavior, they sometimes replace it with another, be it eating, reading inappropriate materials or co-dependency. These are unhealthy ways of coping that we also address in the class.

As a result of what they’re learning, we see ladies growing and developing in their walk with the Lord. One client shares, “I didn’t see a need for [the class], because I wasn’t addicted to drugs or alcohol. But I realized a month ago that I am addicted to pain medication. Knowing this, I saw the class in a whole new light.

“I saw that everything I read and discussed can be used for everyday life,” she continued. “It helped me to discover who I was. I learned I wasn’t alone. I was able to forgive myself as well as others. It also helped me understand God more clearly. With all this I am able to like myself. Because of this class, I am on the right path.”

We love hearing from you! Post your comments below, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation!

Previous Posts in this Series:
Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God
Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love
Dying to be FREE
She Walked In
Caught Between Egypt & the Promised Land
Quitting is the easy part!
Preventing Teen Drug Use
Realizing our addictions (remember... even Jesus was tempted)
Now That Was God
Access to Health & Hope

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Access to Health & Hope

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

Article 4 (of 8) in the Messenger magazine - Winter 2011 Edition! By Gale Thomason, Executive Director, Water Street Health Services

Carol* sat in the chair in Exam Room One with her head hanging low and the drool running in a slow drip from her bottom lip. The friend who helped her get to Water Street Health Services described Carol as having been “overmedicated for the last few days.” After checking Carol’s prescriptions expecting a month’s supply remaining, the friend found nearly empty bottles.

As I looked at Carol I silently prayed, “Dear Lord, What do you want me to do for this child of yours who has no idea how much you love her?” Often drug addiction is mainly perceived to be an issue of street drugs. However, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, more people abuse prescription medications than cocaine, heroin, Ecstasy and inhalants combined. Carol is one of many legal prescription drug addicts.

In Carol’s dangerous situation, our role at Water Street Health Services was to ensure her safety until the effects of the pills wore off. This warranted sending her to the local hospital by ambulance. Without help, Carol may have choked to death on her own vomit or even stopped breathing!

Once the initial emergency was addressed, Carol needed to discover what pain she was trying to numb through drugs. For Carol, her addiction was an attempt to mask the effects of years of sexual abuse.

I got to see Carol last month, two years after her life-threatening overdose. She had a sparkle in her eyes, and she held her head high. Smiling, she was hand in hand with her dear 5-year-old daughter. She expressed how much Water Street Health Services meant to her as we supported her through the years.

The key, Carol says, is that even in her stupor and subsequent visits to Water Street Health Services for treatment for psychiatric conditions, arthritis and GERD, she knew she was loved and not judged. For the first time, she began to understand how valuable she is to God and that He promises hope for her future.

In addition to access to health care, Carol is one of nearly 2,500 patients who find health and hope for a future at Water Street Health Services through the power
of God’s restoration.

*Name has been changed to protect privacy.

We love hearing from you! Post your comments below, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation!

Previous Posts in this Series:
Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God
Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love
Dying to be FREE
She Walked In
Caught Between Egypt & the Promised Land
Quitting is the easy part!
Preventing Teen Drug Use
Realizing our addictions (remember... even Jesus was tempted)
Now That Was God

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Now that was God

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

By Chuck Albrecht, shelter manager, Water Street Mission

I recently was blessed to witness God's hand leading me clearly in His perfect timing.

Jose* came to Water Street as an alcoholic who could no longer live with his wife. Due to his age, he was enrolled in the Mission’s Supportive Services Program, which is designed for individuals who can’t easily find employment to support themselves. [This program invites individuals to live at the Mission until we can help them move into permanent supportive housing.]

Our staff described Jose as a lively elderly man with a twinkle in his eye, and “easy to like.” A few weeks ago, this seemingly healthy man went to the hospital with chest pains. As they were running tests, the doctors discovered he had metastasized cancer in his kidney. The cancer was so severe that it had spread through the rest of his body. Within a week of being admitted to the hospital, he couldn’t walk.

A nurse had been trying to contact his wife of 20 years, but the phone number wasn’t working. I was asked to try and find her, but my schedule was completely booked the day I received the request. Then a caseworker told me that one of our clients no longer needed a ride to an appointment, which opened up two hours for me. I knew this was my opportunity to look for Jose’s wife.

With a street address but no apartment number, I arrived outside a building with seven doorbells to choose from and no names. I rang them all and only one elderly woman answered. Thankfully she trusted me enough to let me in. As I spoke with her, I was blessed to hear she was the grandmother of one our former clients, and she voiced her concern for him and thankfulness for our help. Then she showed me to Jose’s wife’s apartment and gave me the tip that if she wasn't home, she would most likely be at the restaurant across the street.

I walked over and sure enough there she was! We were both glad I had found her. Jose had remained in contact with her while he was living at the Mission, but she hadn't heard from him for a week (since he went to the hospital) and was really worried. She was grateful for the ride as we drove to the hospital’s trauma unit.

I took Jose’s wife to his room, and we were able to pray together before I left them alone. On my way out, a nurse thanked me for finding Jose’s wife, and I replied, “that was GOD,” thinking of all the ‘coincidences’ that enabled me to bring her to the hospital.

Jose responded to the devastating news of his condition like a champ. He didn’t want any extraordinary measures because he knew Jesus and was ready to be with Him. He has since been transferred to Hospice and isn’t expected to live much longer.

So no matter how long we think we might have somebody, we never really know. Jose’s story is a good reminder to love everyone God puts in our path, and listen to His promptings.

*Jose’s name was changed to protect his identity

We love hearing from you! Post your comments below, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation!

Previous Posts in this Series:
Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God
Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love
Dying to be FREE
She Walked In
Caught Between Egypt & the Promised Land
Quitting is the easy part!
Preventing Teen Drug Use

Realizing our addictions (remember... even Jesus was tempted)

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Realizing our addictions (remember... even Jesus was tempted)

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

I borrowed the book Overcoming Addictive Behaviors (Anderson and Quarles) from a coworker to better understand what a lot of the clients at the Lydia Center, the Mission and Water Street Health Services are experiencing. I was surprised to find out, though, how closely the concepts connected with my own life.

Over the weekend I read a section about strongholds developing in a person’s life. It starts with a temptation, which in itself isn’t sin. Jesus was tempted three times in the desert, but the Bible tells us He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). What a comforting reminder!

If we entertain that temptation, meaning we consider it or start to follow through on it, then it starts to become dangerous – sinful. It becomes a stronghold. Within just six weeks of following through on a temptation, the authors said a habit is formed.

The way to beat a stronghold, the book recommended, is with Scripture. When Jesus was hungry and tempted to turn a stone into bread, he quoted a verse from Deuteronomy 8:3 which says, “Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

I may not struggle with an alcohol or drug addiction, but for me, self righteousness, pride and my performance have become, in a way, addictions.

This week when certain thoughts – temptations -- crept in, I scrambled for a verse that speaks the truth. Time and time again, portions of a verse I had memorized in my childhood came to mind: whatever is admirable, whatever is lovely, whatever is pure, think about such things (Philippians 4:8). It was amazing to see how my sinful attitude just melted away! I found myself almost surprised by the power of Scripture.

I’m excited to become more aware of my thoughts, so I can arm myself with applicable verses to fight off the temptations. I have a long way to go to take captive every thought, but God’s on my side.

- Maria Schaszberger • Director of Communications

We love hearing from you! Post your comments below, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation!

Previous Posts in this Series:
Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God
Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love
Dying to be FREE
She Walked In
Caught Between Egypt & the Promised Land
Quitting is the easy part!

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Preventing Teen Drug Use

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

Article 3 (of 8) in the Messenger magazine - Winter 2011 Edition!
By Jack Crowley, Executive Director, Teen Haven

Many teenagers use alcohol and drugs. If you have ears or eyes, this is not a shocking revelation to you. Seventy-five percent of teens in America have experimented with alcohol; almost 40 percent with marijuana (CDC, 2005).

What may be shocking to you is that many teens began using before they even reached their teen years. More than 25 percent used alcohol before age 13, and almost 10 percent of teens have tried marijuana before age 13 (CDC, 2005).

The biggest factors leading to early use of alcohol and drugs that Teen Haven has observed among youth in our communities include: peer pressure and unhealthy family influence, family problems and the “need for escape,” natural curiosity, the perception of “fun”, and the adolescent need to declare independence.

Ironically, while two of these contributing factors are related to negative family influence, the most commonly agreed upon preventative influence in teens’ lives is healthy family influence. Positive engagement of parents in the lives of their teens is consistently shown to lower the likelihood of drug and alcohol usage (including studies by The Mayo Clinic; Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse - CASA; Child and Adolescent Mental Health Journal; Teens Today; and
Youth Specialties).

Joseph A. Califano, Jr., chairman and president of CASA, made this powerful statement: “Parental engagement in children’s lives is the key to ridding our nation of the scourge of substance abuse.”

But what about kids who don’t come from healthy families? What about teens whose homes create more stress and problems than those homes resolve? This is the reality faced by many of the teens who attend Teen Haven. At a recent girls retreat, only three of the 51 girls attending had a male father figure in their home.

In light of this, the family atmosphere provided by Teen Haven helps influence teens to make healthy choices in their lives. An environment built on love and trust is critical to helping teens know that they have somewhere to turn when faced with the temptations of drugs and alcohol.

Can Teen Haven be as effective of a deterrent as a healthy, engaged family? It is hard to know for sure, but we see how Teen Haven plays this supportive role in the lives of many teens every day. Text messages to staff members that start with: “Hey Dad, I was wondering if I could talk to you about something…”, and phone calls to discuss struggles with pressure at home, school and among peers, remind us that we often play the role of surrogate parents to those teens
who don’t have a confidant in their home.

We love hearing from you! Post your comments below, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation!

Previous Posts in this Series:
Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God
Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love
Dying to be FREE
She Walked In
Caught Between Egypt & the Promised Land
Quitting is the easy part!

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Quitting is the easy part!

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

“Quitting is easy; I’ve done it a hundred times. I’m actually quite good at it. I have learned to do it at just the right time to get me out of the trouble I’ve gotten into by using. People get off my back when I quit.” Said by an addicted man.

The problem is staying quit!

I was reminded of this again this week when a man returned after leaving our facility four years ago on a reasonably good path. When he arrived back here, he was incoherent, emaciated and had an infected hole in his arm from using a bad needle for injecting cocaine (one of rarest but most serious methods of cocaine use). My heart broke; but, honestly, we could tell when he left that he would not do well.

I guess that probably sounds bad, that we would assess a man as he leaves for whether he might make it or not, but imagine who we would be if we didn’t. We are not just a place to stay for the homeless – we are a bio-psycho-social-spiritual hospital for the broken.

In my own journey out of the bondage to addiction, the hardest work began after I realized that quitting did not change me. I eventually discovered that my way of relating to life, learned on the way into the addiction, and reinforced by the addiction lifestyle, didn’t go away when I quit using.

It took many catastrophic relapses before I learned that my ways of relating to life were producing the problems that led to the relapses. Once I owned that, my life began to improve. Once my life began to improve, relapses stopped.

The key I discovered worked for me and has been working for many others as they come here for help. The key to relapse prevention is, ‘learning to live the way we were designed to live.’ We were designed to live out the truth that ‘others matter at least as much as I matter.’

As I began to learn and live that out in the hardest moments of my days, my life got better. As my life got better, resisting the urge to use was easier because I had more to lose.

In the LifeRecovery program of Water Street Mission, we partner with men to learn how to live according to their design, according to who the Lord says they are.

Aaron Eggers, Director of Men’s Ministries

We love hearing from you! Post your comments below, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation!

Previous Posts in this Series:
Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God
Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love
Dying to be FREE
She Walked In
Caught Between Egypt & the Promised Land

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Caught Between Egypt & the Promised Land

This post is part of our current Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

Article 2 (of 8) in the Messenger magazine - Winter 2011 Edition!
By Carrie Libonati, Learning Center Instructor, Lydia Center

No one likes to hear about relapse in recovery, because we often equate it with failure. The harsh reality is that many times, relapse is part of recovery. This is hard for those of us working with women we’ve grown to love and care about. It’s also very painful for family members to accept.

Recently God brought to my mind that many times people need to go back to their Egypt, their land of slavery, to realize just how bad it was. However, they do not go back the same; they take with them whatever changes God has done in their hearts. Because of these changes, they may not fall as hard or as far.

When Susan graduated from the Lydia Center last year, we were excited to celebrate the changes in her life, like the fact that she was living drug free after more than 25 years of addiction. Most importantly, she had learned that God genuinely loves her.

As Susan started to look for employment, we once again could see her looking back to her Egypt. The more she had to accept responsibility of any kind, the more her fear paralyzed her.

When her Lydia Center counselor met with her, Susan realized she was in a stage called dry relapse*. Susan shared, “I have a fear of making choices and taking responsibility, so I just don’t make them. There are things I haven’t given to God yet.”

Addiction is not just about getting high. For Susan, drugs, alcohol and compulsive behaviors had helped her in the past to avoid uncomfortable feelings like guilt and shame. It was a way for her to feel “normal”. We advised Susan to allow herself to feel the discomfort of things like responsibility instead of repeating her lifelong habit of avoiding it.

Unfortunately, Susan made a different choice. We were sad when she left the Lydia Center, especially because she was avoiding something that she had said was so important to her: restoring her relationship with her four children.

Change takes place one decision at a time, and it always involves risk. We know that God is not done with Susan yet. Pray with us that she will allow God to continue to heal her and to bring life change.

*For a chart on 'dry relapse,' see page 6 within the Messenger: Click Here to view.

We love hearing from you! Post your comments below, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation!

Previous Posts in this Series:
Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God
Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love
Dying to be FREE
She Walked In

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

She Walked In

This post is a part of our Blog Series - focusing on Addiction! As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

Yesterday, she walked in. A few weeks ago, she had walked out. Now, she was back. Beautiful. Gentle. Intelligent. And high. Very high. Very doped-up.

I remember when she-I don’t know her real name-left. She had only been here, Water Street Mission, for a few days. I don’t recall saying anything special to her, anything more than what I said-or would say-to anyone else who passed my outpost as a “deskman” in Kuhn’s Hall here at Water Street. I simply try-and often fail- to be Christ to those who come and go in the constant cycle of the human tide as it ebbs and flows. I see my duty as a deskman as redemptive, being called to reshape and be God’s hands in transfiguring the world. It is part of my calling to become ever more “Godlike” by growing more human, as one writer put it. In so doing, I appeal to the “godness” that exists in not only me but in all I meet. I like best how Metropolitan Anthony Bloom says in quoting Father Evgraf Kovalevsky: “When God looks at a person, He does not see either virtue, which may not exist, or success, which may not have been achieved, but He sees the unshakeable, shining beauty of His own image.”

So, there she stood. Again. She had left with another girl a few weeks back-was it that long ago-to “live” with a guy. Well, two guys. One for her, one for her friend. I guess that’s how these things work. Some young man told her he “loved” her, like some modern day Pied Piper. And, lured by his sultry good looks and sweet talk, she listened. I remember thinking, ”She’ll be back.” I just never thought it would be so soon. And like this. I remember wanting to tell her that her body, her soul, herself were sacred. To not sell or give away the holy. But I didn’t. And she left.

Now, she stands here in Kuhn’s Hall entrance again. Something brought her back. Or Someone. She walked back in. And she speaks.

“Hey! I just wanted to say, ‘hey.’” She’s high, really strung out. I’m not “streets,” if ya know what I mean, but it’s obvious. And I have to talk to her. With her. I was silent once, but how do you speak truth in love to a beautiful young woman who is hurt and covering it up in a drug-induced haze? Shall I tell her that she’s a sinner, that she’s headed to hell? I won’t. In that moment, I know what I won’t say, which is good, because I wouldn’t need to convince her of how “bad” she is. I need to convince her that she is an icon, that no matter what, no matter how damaged she is by sin, that there is still the beauty of God’s image within her, and that I care, that I venerate what remains in her of that icon, and that I want her to care. I want her to feel that her vocation is so much bigger than sex, so much bigger than getting high. I want her to become a “god-man” in Christ’s image. And how do you say all that?

I look at her, my heart breaking. And I speak. “What are you doing with yourself?” She answers, "I’m living with a guy, but a different one.” In a week she switches guys. Another boy, her self-esteem, or what is left of it, tied up in men-if that’s what you call them; they’re of that gender. And I hurt for her, and I speak, knowing that she will walk out again, and I have one chance to be Christ to Her. And I get this sudden rush that this is what Jesus felt when He looked at the rich young man with love and sorrow.

“You are meant for so much more than this. God wants so much more for you.” In that moment, I love her. Not in a romantic sense, not in a sensual sense, but I venerate the icon that could be her. And, in the briefest flicker of a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, she sees it. She reaches… and then draws back.

“I know.” She turns and leaves and walks out. And it is night.
- From a resident

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Previous Posts in this Series:
Fighting Addiction With the Armor of God
Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God's Love
Dying to be FREE

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Dying to be FREE

We're excited to introduce a NEW SERIES focusing on Addiction
As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.
We invite you to SIGN-UP to receive our Messenger magazine electronically! Click Here to sign up.

Article 1 of 8 - From the Messenger magazine! Click Here to read more stories from this Winter 2011 edition of the Messenger magazine.
By Aaron Eggers, Director of Men’s Ministries, Water Street Mission and Daral Boles, Director of Women’s Ministries, Water Street Mission

Though the face of addiction has changed remarkably in the last 50 years, the dismal statistics continue. Fifty-two people die every day in this country from addiction (alcohol and other drug) related complications*. Those 52 people are moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers, or sisters to someone. At the Water Street Mission in our LifeRecovery Program alone, 23 men have died as a consequence of their substance abuse over the past five years. One young man, well-liked by this community and actively struggling to shake his addiction, died in our cafeteria bathroom with a needle in his arm.

While we at the Water Street Mission understand that biological vulnerability plays a part in addiction, we also know that addiction plays out in relationship. Addiction of any kind, be it to substances, partners, or behavior patterns, reflects and perpetuates the cycle of broken relationships.

We see the impact of addictive choices in every aspect of our clients’ lives, in their relationships with self, others, and God. Water Street Ministries therefore addresses it on all fronts, in all ministry divisions:
• Addiction is a physiological problem (Water Street Health Services and the Water Street Mission).
• Addiction is a family problem (the Water Street Mission, Lydia Center, Teen Haven and Wonder Club Early Learning Centers).
• Addiction is a spiritual, relational problem (all of the divisions of Water Street Ministries).
• Addiction is a community problem (Water Street Mission in collaboration with our many partner churches and agencies, including housing, drug & alcohol treatment programs, counseling centers, public assistance programs, and schools).

52 people die every day in this country from addiction.*

No one ever plans to become an addict. It doesn’t happen overnight, but neither does the journey to recovery. Recognizing that recovery is a process that may take time, we commit to a long-term relationship with our clients that may involve several stays at the Mission. We understand that relapse is part of recovery (for more on this concept, see page 6), and we rejoice over baby steps as much as big ones.

The residential programs at the Water Street Mission offer a purposeful mix of Christian guidance and evidencebased relapse prevention, while our Community Emergency Shelter enables us to engage with individuals who have not yet committed to change. We look to help our clients not only change destructive life habits but also maintain those changes with the support of churches, mentors, and the community. Above all, we practice new, healthy relationships, centered on Christ Jesus, who forgives us regardless of the nature of our addiction or sin.

All Christ-centered relationships grow and change over time, and our relationships with addicted clients are no different. For some of our clients, sobriety begins when they step onto this campus. Newly clean and sober, they know better than anyone the fragility of that early stage, and while they may sometimes resist it, many also recognize that structure and accountability are the keys to gaining traction in the battle.

A client at our women’s emergency shelter, for example, recently talked of the “blessing” of nightly blood alcohol content monitoring. (All shelter residents are tested nightly for alcohol, and random drug tests are also performed in our programs.) There have been days, this client says, when the only thing keeping her out of the bars is the knowledge that she will be tested that night.

That baseline accountability is bolstered over time in group and individual counseling that addresses not only addictive behaviors but the issues that led into that substance abuse and the fallout it has produced. We know that the first months of recovery are times of remarkable and sometimes even miraculous neurological and spiritual healing, but also pain.

Those who persevere, however, reap the blessings of peace, stability, and a sound mind. And they in turn begin in the 12-step tradition to “give back” to our community, modeling to staff and residents alike a life of dependence on God and caring for others. Every Mission staff member could, if asked, recall the names and stories of specific individuals who have touched our lives in the course of their recovery. We know that we have been blessed by them, and we thank God for allowing us to witness and support their
journey of healing.
*www.selectown.com/drug-addiction-statistics.php

We love hearing from you! Post your comments on our Blog, or Click Here to visit our Facebook page and join the conversation!

Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Fighting Addiction, and Experiencing God’s Love

We're excited to introduce a NEW SERIES focusing on Addiction
As you read these stories we invite you to share your thoughts, reflections and insights. This series will include stories on addiction, along with 8 articles from our most recent Messenger magazine. Our hope is that as we engage in conversation together, we can gain a deeper understanding in the midst of trials and celebrations of overcoming addiction.

To receive our next Messenger magazine electronically, Click Here to sign up.

The Lydia Center is currently home to a young mom who joined our program without her children.

She believed in God until her dad passed away when she was 14. From then she shared that she felt like no one could love her but her dad & he was no longer here.

She was in relationship after relationship and a few were very abusive. She struggles with addiction to alcohol & drugs.

Today she told me that since she has accepted Jesus she feels loved by God & even though she hopes to marry & have a complete family one day she said that just knowing that God loves her right now gives her so much peace.

She is growing in trusting God & loves to spend time reading His word. I see life, peace, hope and a hunger for God in her that she did not have 3 weeks ago. She is actually getting baptized this Sunday.

I love the way our Savior brings this type of transformation!!!

Carrie Libonati • Lydia Center, Learning Center Instructor

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Stay tuned for the next post in this series on Addiction!

Fighting Addiction with the Armor of God

Recently, God has been telling me how important and necessary it is to pray with the “armor of God” for those in bondage to addiction.

I have a niece who is only 22 years old. She has already overdosed on heroine, been in and out of ICU multiple times with multi-system organ damage (liver and kidneys) from her severe alcoholism.

I had begun praying for her and she is showing small signs of new life yet she has a long road ahead for solid recovery. I know God does not want his children to live like that.

As it says in Ephesians 6:10-18,
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

We who are blessed with faith and health are needed to do spiritual battle on the behalf of those who are fighting against addiction.

- Submitted by an employee of Water Street Health Services

To read more stories like this on Addiction, we invite you to read the latest Messenger magazine by visiting: http://www.waterstreetministries.org/Libraries/Documents/Winter2011_Messenger_PDF_web_1.sflb.ashx,

You can also Sign Up to receive the Messenger magazine electronically, by visiting: www.WaterStreetMinistries.org/SignUp

Finding Time for Restoration

We live in such a fast paced society where one must keep up with the pace in order to survive. Often times when life becomes more demanding, the more we busy ourselves to keep from feeling the pressure. This is especially true of any pain we may experience. If something hurts, you get up, brush yourself off, and keep moving. This is what we learned as children when we fell down, and yet this mentality can get in the way of truly allowing ourselves to be healed.

Restoration is such a fluid process. Sometimes we don’t see the progress we think we should. Sometimes we think we should be further along in our journey than we are. Sometimes we think we are the ones responsible for bringing healing to ourselves. Little by little we take back pieces of our journey we once submitted to God. The process is unknown and hazy, and all we can see is what we want our wholeness to look like. We attempt to outrun God, when He is the one calling us to slow down. He longs to draw us to still waters in order to restore our souls, but His miraculous work of healing can only be done when our souls are quieted before Him. It is then, when we relinquish our best strivings, where our souls can find trust rest and healing.

As a staff, we have the opportunity to see the residents of the Lydia Center through various stages of their healing during their time here. For the first time in their lives these women are beginning to face the harsh pain of their past in order to embrace the abundant life their Father has set before them. They are no longer running from that which has kept them in bondage, and yet the motivation to keep the fast pace still lingers. What a joy it is to see them slow down in order to walk alongside their Savior as He gently heals their wounds!

Andrea Handwerk • Lydia Center Intern

Greetings from Men’s Ministry!

On the left you'll see some of the people involved in the Men’s Ministry Department at WSM. In the past we have included some comments from these folks. Look for future postings and hear how the Lord is working in the lives of His people serving the residents and guests at WSM!
From left to right in the photo on the front porch of Kuhns Hall:
Jim Stanton – Program Counselor, Steve Brubaker – Chief Vision Officer, David Miller – Learning Center Director, Andrew Onguka-Program Counselor, Chuck Albrecht-Shelter Manager, Aaron Eggers-Director of Men’s Ministry, Philip Wrightstone-Resident Assistant, Mark Noel-Program Counselor, Michael Kerrigone-Evening Chaplain, Emily Towers-Residential Ministries Secretary, Jon Shacklett-Program Counselor

Also be sure to take notice of some progress on our Community Mosaic (on the front of the staircase). This mosaic was an Open Studio Project lead by Kevin Lehman's Pottery for Family Day 2010 as friends and families from the community joined with our volunteers, residents, and staff to complete this masterpiece. We are excited to continue it's installation after the weather warms up!

A Snowy Weekend at Teen Haven Camp

During a weekend retreat in January at Teen Haven Camp, the camp staff and I were preparing for the boys to arrive at camp. As I contemplated their arrival, and considered that it was going to be a smaller group of campers, and that there was a snowy forecast I wondered, “why did we not cancel the weekend?”

Shortly after, the boys arrived! As they sat down in the dining hall, I noticed one boy, Kory*, with his head down on the table. I asked him if he was alright. He acknowledged that he was ok. Yet, I noticed that he had tears in his eyes. So, I asked again.

This time, he filled in the details. He had just gotten 20 staples removed from his skull and was experiencing a headache. He told me that his brother had pushed him out of the car and he sustained a good gash on the side of his head. It was healed but still ached in the cold weather.

I looked at him and questioned his being here. He looked up at me and said, "Mr. Vin, I just had to be here. I just had to be here!" And again his eyes swelled with tears.

As the weekend went on Kory got into his routine, and it was apparent that he wasn’t as aware of the pain that he had shared about on Friday night. Saturday afternoon the kids went sledding but Kory did not have a hat. One of our interns, Willie Davis, came up to Kory and gave him his hat to wear. Kory had a blast and wore that hat all weekend.

Kory came up to one of the staff members and said, “I was able to go sledding because someone gave me a hat to wear to keep my head from hurting.” He shared, "That made my weekend." And as I heard his excitement and joy, I realized that this demonstration of compassion made my weekend also!

I realized that this weekend was worth it even for just for him. As Kory received something as simple as a hat, I believe it helped transfer the burden’s he carried before his arrival to camp, to an understanding of how loved he was!

Sunday before he boarded the bus, he came up to me and said, “I'd like to be a junior counselor one day.” I believe that he will be! As he spoke these words, I praised God for the privilege of seeing this hurting camper experience Christ’s hope and healing.

Only God can transform a broken situation like this and allow our campers to leave camp with this type of excitement to serve others and grow as leaders!

Vinny Mikusow, Field Director – Teen Haven Camp
*name changed

Lydia Center - Self-Evaluations and Celebrations

At the Lydia Center self-evaluation is a tool we often use for a resident to begin to learn to figure out why they do positive things as well as negative ones. We train them to figure out why they do what they do. They answer questions regarding the behavior they wish to change and then invite the community at the Lydia Center to ask questions around the choice that was made. When a resident speaks an unkind word, doesn’t do homework, procrastinates on their job search or doesn’t do tasks completely - these things often come from a wound of the past. Self-evaluations open them up to allowing God together with the community at Lydia Center to bring healing in those painful areas from the past.

Today I had a great time chatting with one of our residents who just came to us from prison. She said that when she was in prison she was not looking forward to self-evaluations with the community because she had grown accustomed to being shamed when she made a mistake.

After being here a month she says that she really enjoys them and after each self-evaluation with her peers, she feels loved, encouraged and respected. She says, “I actually have girl friends here”.

She has been in prison for 5 years and says she has learned more this month about herself than she has her whole life and that is partly due to the fact that “you can’t hide here”. She understands that she uses humor to be popular and doesn’t want to do that anymore. She is committed to falling in love with the Lord and even though she has read the Bible before, she now really wants to have intimacy with Christ.

She said “I know my way has not worked”. She was lit up with hope as she left my office – hope that God will turn her life around, hope that she will have a stronger marriage upon departure, hope that He has good plans for her future. I love that God can do so much in a day, a week or a month! Week one wanted to leave……week 4 committed to the journey of life change!

Melissa Alcorn • Executive Director, Lydia Center