Wheeler Mission's Blog

March Madness is in full swing! This is the time when men and women of all ages are glued to their radios and T.V.’s. They’re cheering their favorite team as they go down to the wire with the opponent that’s in their path to the Final Four and an eventual championship. Many of us in Indiana recently watched as Butler pulled off a nail biter after one of the wildest finishes of all time. We all love to support the home team.

Here at Wheeler, there’s a thrill that exceeds even the double-foul wild ending that the Bulldogs pulled off. It’s witnessing a man or women on the verge of a personal breakthrough finally achieve a monumental goal. Most of the time this is a height they never thought they could reach.

Recently, five men graduated from the year-long Hebron Addiction Recovery program. We as staff were blessed to have the opportunity to see these individuals break through the intimidation of asking for help when they arrived. We witnessed them submit to Jesus as Lord of their lives. We saw them work together with others to persevere. And we saw them follow through with their plans and goals to complete the task they set out to accomplish. For some, it was a nail biter to see if they would make it, but to see these five stand in front of friends and family having won, having achieved… it’s better than anything the world can offer.

So as you watch the college games this month and see the kids jumping in excitement and celebration, think for a minute what someone must feel that has just beaten the ultimate opponents – addiction, poverty, shame, and loneliness. Those are the people we should applaud. As a community, these men and women are the home team that need our support.

Labels: addiction testimony

Are you looking forward to the arrival of Spring? Warmer temperatures, greener grass, and the hope that Easter brings is often the encouragement we need after a long winter.

It’s been a busy time here at Wheeler. We have more people enrolled in our long term programs than ever before! We praise God for the opportunity to disciple and mentor these men and women. I am so thankful for our faithful staff who walk along side our clients.

It’s been a busy time in the Alvis home as well. Our youngest son, Kyle will be married March 19. We look forward to gaining a great daughter-in-law! Our family is blessed and thankful.

I pray that you will experience the hope and encouragement that only comes from God during this Easter season. Add a comment to this blog to let me know what it is that YOU are thankful for.

Rick

While pulling out of the mission parking lot, I overheard a conversation through my car window that stopped me. Next to a red pickup truck, I saw a father, his son of around 30 years old, one of our Hebron Addiction Recovery program staff, and a couple men in the program that came out to help unload. The father, with his son by his side, reached into the truck and pulled out a small plastic tub. He shrugged as he handed the tub to the men, as if to apologize that they had to come out for such a small task. The words that struck me were when he said, "Here you go, this is his whole life", referring to his son's wadded up clothes inside the tub. It was heart breaking.

We see battered families coming into the mission every day, but it never loses its effect. I can't wait to hear how God changes this young man's life. That's the fun part.

Beginning today, we at Wheeler Mission are going to share with you a unique, online look inside one man's changing life. A man, similar to this father's son, came to us more than a year ago with his own "parking lot experience". Once hopeless and addicted to drugs, he has since finished the one-year Hebron program, but he didn't stop there. This person is currently at Wheeler for the second-year Servant Leadership Training (SLT) program, wanting to continue his recovery and share his newfound hope with others in need. This is where we will pick up with "James". As "James" lives out his life of recovery, he is being discipled in the necessary biblical structure to gain stability and character. During this process, he will daily share his intimate and honest thoughts with you through a new Wheeler Facebook page called "James - Reflections on Recovery". It's there that you'll be able to read the raw, uncut entries outlining what God is doing in and around him. I believe this will be a living testimony that will impact many lives, as the realities of recovery are brought to light.

To join us in this experience, simply search Facebook for James - Reflections on Recovery, or go to www.facebook.com/reflectionsonrecovery. Sign up by "liking" the page, and you'll begin to receive James’ posts as he goes through this incredible journey.

Hearing God break someone of life-dominating habits can be gut wrenching, but I know this will strengthen your faith that God is restoring lives, restoring families, and bringing hope to the lost. Along with receiving the posts, you'll be able to pray specifically for one man as he goes through this very difficult transformation. Please share this with others so they may join in this unique experience.

Thank you for your support,

Rick