James and Jeff recently celebrated their graduations from the New Life Program. Both are clean and sober, employed, and now living in their own apartments. They still come back to the Mission after work as they continue studying for their GEDs. It was a joy to celebrate with them one Wednesday evening in March.

Eleven months ago, the weight of a 40-year addiction to alcohol, mounting stress from a series of self-described bad decisions, and the inability to keep a job led James to seek help. He came to the Mission hoping to overcome his addiction and find work. At his graduation, he shared that what he found was so much more. God used the Mission to change his life.

When asked what unexpected blessings he received here, he smiled and quickly said, “Jesus—being in Christ, staying in the Bible, talking to God, and getting rooted in a church family.” He spoke about finding purpose and direction, making things right, and rebuilding his relationship with his daughter. He has a new sense of purpose now, and he’s deeply grateful.

And when he comes home after a long day of work? Ice cream. Vanilla, maybe with a brownie on the side. Mostly, he’s just thankful to rest, safe and at home, to actually have a place to call home and a freezer with a big tub of vanilla ice cream.