You do not realize how our staff members have to fight on behalf of the souls of the men who God chooses to enter this program. Although we fight on our knees through prayer and studying the Word, Satan fights too and often snatches the men back into his clutches as they enter Phase V as graduate candidates. They must stay “clean and sober” for six months before receiving their certificate of completion.
We anticipated 2017 being the largest graduation of five men. To our dismay, two candidates have “fallen by the wayside,” and only three remain standing. We continue to reach out to help these men and we ask for your prayers for them.
Meet our three” Shining Stars,” Pierre Jackson, Marshall Davis, and Tim Mattingly.
Pierre Jackson
“I was raised in a Christian home and went to Adventist schools, yet I made the decision to turn to drugs. For 30 years, in and out of 20 different treatment programs and two divorces later, I constantly caused pain and hurt in my family and children’s lives which continued until January 2015.
I became ‘sick and tired of being sick and tired,’ no peace, estranged from my parents, sibling, children, and my wife. I hated myself and what I had become. No one wanted me around. The shame and guilt was almost unbearable, yet deep inside, I knew I didn’t want to die out there on those streets, lost and alone. In spite of the state of mind I was in, I knew what I had to do.
I finally called DAP and asked to come back a second time. This program offered me a safe environment to stop using drugs, and most importantly, rekindle my relationship with the Lord. I have learned to use the tools that will enable me to feel good about myself and be the man, son, father, grandfather and husband that God has called me to be. I am forever grateful for this program that continues to help men like me.
DAP is a structured and disciplined program that is more like a family. They provide nice clean homes, a safe environment and excellent staff and counselors. Without God and DAP, I don’t know where I would be. Today I have a personal relationship with the Lord and I depend on Him daily. Next month, I will hold my head up high and with confidence, as I walk down that long awaited isle on graduation day. This is a milestone and an achievement for me that has been in the making for 30 years.
I am presently employed by DAP as a supervisor in the work therapy program. God has brought me from a mighty long way. I haven’t arrived in any way shape or form, but I am most definitely not the man I used to be. DAP is an integral part of my success today with Christ as the Center of my life.”
Marshall Davis
“I’m grateful to Drug Alternative Program for all the changes that have taken place in my life during the past 2 ½ years. DAP has literally saved me from the ‘pit of hell.’ My life was so unmanageable that I did not care if I lived or died. Through total surrender and a change of attitude, I have allowed God to have control of my life. I have learned to look at myself first before I judge others. I have even learned to love myself. I have changed the way I look at people, situations and life itself. hrist’s character has shone through me as I learn how to be kind, understanding, compassionate, helpful and friendly to my brothers and others. Christ has brought me closer to Him than ever before.
I find myself thinking about God often now, especially when I’m alone. Sometimes when I wake up at night, God is on my mind. That never happened before; weird maybe, but I like it a lot. I’m thankful for the life lessons that DAP has taught me. If it were not for this program, I would be dead or in prison. The most important lesson I have learned is that I must have a personal relationship with Christ and I need Him in my life, no matter what happens.
Today I have a relationship with my children. We communicate daily and that’s because of the family values I learned here at DAP. I am living in the Transition Home, working full time and I am re-applying for my respiratory therapy license and planning to attend college this fall to receive a certificate in the medical field. Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Harris; for giving me a new outlook on life and a new beginning. Thank you, family members, for your financial support. Without a ‘red nickel’ in my pocket, DAP accepted me into the program and your funds have kept me here to experience God’s healing and a new life in Christ.”
Tim Mattingly
Is there something missing in your life? I could never figure out what it was, no matter how good I had it or how bad it got. It was never enough. Since coming to Drug Alternative Program, God has begun to fill the void in my life through prayer, study of His Word and accountability in a therapeutic setting. It has been a challenging program. However, what doesn’t challenge you won’t change you and God has begun to change me through DAP. We are all prodigal sons and daughters of His, and He bids us to come to our senses and “return unto Him and He will return unto us.”
Tim returned home to Kentucky in September reuniting with his parents and daughter. He is employed and feels so blessed to be a part of his daughter’s life once again. We look forward to presenting his graduation certificate to him.
Graduation will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017, at the Campus Hill Church, Linda Hall, at 5:30 p.m. It will be a “high day In Zion” for our DAP family and friends.
We are excited to let you know that “My Brother’s Keeper Scholarship Fund totals $60,000! We are only $10,000 away from our goal of $70,000. “Thank you” is so inadequate to express our gratitude for your love gifts. These monies help pay the expenses of the majority of the men who come with no money.
Jesse Best
One such person is Jesse Best from New Jersey. His grandmother saw us on Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) and asked him to try DAP. He agreed and arrived here within a few days. But guess what? Within two weeks, he left the program, not once, but twice. The addicts on the streets of San Bernardino roughed him up pretty good, took all of his clothes and left him on the streets to die. In desperation, he called begging Cliff to give him one more chance. After meeting with his peers, we all agreed to accept him back into the program.
Jesse has had many struggles but he is still standing tall through the grace of God. We are proud of his growth and most of all, his budding relationship with God. Jesse will be promoted to Phase V in the near future. He plans to enter the Transition Home and work in the field of heating and air conditioning. He wants to give back to DAP by staying close by to help and encourage the men who come behind him.
Every conversion is a miracle. Jesse is one of those miracles. Your prayers and financial support help save lives like Jesse’s. Thank you for giving him the opportunity to experience God’s healing and a new life in Christ.
Until we hear from you again real soon…
We love you,
P.S. We need only $10,000 for ”My Brother’s Keeper” Scholarship Fund.