Services and Programs - Changing Lives

Building a New Life

Larry struggled with drugs and alcohol for many years. He'd get clean for a while, but it was always temporary. Finally, his wife filed a restraining order so he had to leave the house.

For about a year he lived with family members and continued to abuse drugs. He didn't have contact with his wife, Carole, or his sons, Zachary, Jacob and Matthew. "Soon, I wore out my welcome at my brother's house," he says. "I lived in my car for a few weeks and thought about my family a lot. I lost my job, my family and all self-respect. I prayed to God to help me change my life."

A local shelter referred Larry to Bridgeport Rescue Mission. He parked his broken-down jeep out front and walked inside feeling lost and hopeless. "I was told the Mission was a homeless shelter and a Christian program. My first thought was God had answered my prayers," he says.

Larry was accepted into our New Life Discipleship Program and that's when his new life began. During the next few months he learned who Jesus really is, thanks to the love shown him by the staff, the knowledge he gained in our Bible studies and the teaching he received in our classes.

"In my old life, drugs came first," he explains. "One of the important lessons I learned at the Mission was how to make Christ the center of my life. I realized how selfish, prideful and manipulative I was. I worked hard to let God change my life. His mercy, kindness and forgiveness allowed me to reconcile with my family."

Larry spent weekends with Carole and their boys, and during that time, they became a family again. "I promised Carole that when I moved back home I would restore to her all I had taken away," Larry shares. "Today, because of God's love and mercy, we celebrate a deep, rich relationship with Him. My year spent at Bridgeport Rescue Mission was undoubtedly life changing!"


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