Dear Family Member:
If ever the words “family” have taken on a depth of meaning, it is right now.
Over the last few weeks, we have all found out how very attached we are all over the world. What we do in California and Alabama and everywhere in between has the potential to affect those we don’t even personally know, not only where we call home but also in far flung regions of the globe.
Here at DAP, we have had to face new challenges, ones that we never could have imagined. We are certain you may be in the same position in your home and with your family. The commitments we have made to the clients we have grown to love have given us a new meaning to the word family. While all around us people are fighting for their physical lives, here at DAP we have been helping men fight for their spiritual lives for over 30 years. And just as we don’t want to lose the battle for one person who is ill with the coronavirus, so we don’t want to lose the battle for one precious soul that is counted so blessed of God.
We want to share just one story of a client. His name is Kalei Luii and we count him dear to our hearts.
Kalei, from Paulau, is married with three children. His drug of choice was methamphetamine. He was employed for six years as a cargo agent at United Airlines and his habit became so out of control that he started smuggling drugs into his country. His wife, at her wit’s end, insisted that he either get help or the marriage is over. His sister, from Michigan, was told by her friend about a drug program in the states. Come to find out, London, our son, and colleague of her friend, gave the information to him about DAP. The family liked the program and Kalei, anxious to get help, arrived here in October 2019. Through spiritual counseling, group sessions and the work therapy program, he has grown leaps and bounds.
He is in contact weekly with his family through Facebook and Messenger. As he builds a closer relationship with God, the bond among his wife and children is healing. Family members visited him and immediately saw the difference in Kalei. He was recently baptized at church experiencing the washing away of his sins and the start of a new life. We all say, “Praise the Lord!!”
Without taking too much for your time, this past week, as we planned for all the things that needed to be done here at DAP, we realized that we needed to take stock of the amount of food we had and the personal items, like soap, toilet paper and tooth paste we needed to make certain we had in find supply.
But with the added thoughts about the coronavirus, Cliff recognized that news reports of supplies of the most essential items that we often take for granted, needed to be put on our list as a top priority. So off he went to the grocery store, only to stand in line for essentials like toilet paper, milk, cereal, even bananas which spoil quickly and are not a piece of fruit to be hoarded.
At the same time when we find ourselves trying to keep our “guys” in necessary items for each day, we also have to consider the money that is necessary to pay for all the essentials.
Maybe you have recognized the fact that when individuals need to stay put for their own protection, often giving donations isn’t top of the list for personal survival. But for the survival of this ministry, we still need your continued faithfulness. And so, we’d like to share a couple of ways that all of our faithful family members can still support us as you have so consistently through the years.
First, if you choose to send a gift by mail, you can write a check, place it in an envelope and put it in your mailbox where the postman will pick it up and save you a trip to the post office. And second, we also use PAYPAL and you can send a gift by that method without leaving the comfort of your home.
Please know that we are praying for you. Right now, you may be having a financial strain of your own — especially if you have lost your job or your business is feeling the downturn in business activity because of this terrible virus. However, whatever you send now will bless this ministry and your family here at DAP.
In God’s love,
P.S. During this Coronavirus, I feel so blessed to live with my brothers in this beautiful recovery home. Our physical needs are being met during these times of shortage. Thank you, Family Member, for making this possible. Where would I be without DAP and people like you making a sacrifice to help me change my life to be like Christ! Love Emil Castro
