Although lumber jacking in the forest has been a very interesting and unique experience (see previous blog), the best part about our ministry this month is just getting to build relationships with all of the men here at the Village of Hope. There are men here from all walks of life. Men that have been homeless for years, some that are or have been very rich, successful business men, a few that are the same age as I am.
It has been so humbling to see them here in the rehab center, putting aside their pride, admitting they have a problem, and tackling it head on. The program is not easy, these men are struggling everyday with their addictions, and so far since we have been here, three men have left the program because it was just too much. One out of every five men who come here actually stay and finish the 10 month program.
While walking past the one of houses where the men stay, I noticed a plaque on the front, It said “St. Dismas”. Curious as to who St. Dismas was, I asked my Dad who is Catholic and really takes an interest in the different Saints and what they represent. When I asked him who St. Dismas was, he got really excited and told me how perfect St.Dismas was in representing the Village of Hope and the men there. He said, “He is probably their patron saint because in his life we learn that it is never too late to repent and begin again. Grace offers us a new start.” St. Dismas is often called the Penitent Thief, Good Thief or the Thief on the Cross. He is an unnamed person mentioned in the Gospel of Luke who was crucified alongside Jesus, and asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom. Since Ive been here I’ve held hands with a man who has “Skin Head” tattooed on the back of his head and has been in prison for many years for drugs, while he prayed for me to “forever have smiley days.” I have been in the kitchen and cooked along side a once very successful business man who had a cocaine addiction, who lost it all and out of desperation turned to robbing banks and was in prison in Australia for 6 years. Ive hauled wood with a past gang member, who has been imprisoned in 5 different countries and once had a heroine addiction.
Every man here has a story, and it has been so incredible to see them open up to us, complete strangers from American (and Canada), and just openly share their pasts, which are often very troubling and hard. Although every story is different, there is one common factor that brings these men together to fight their addictions and helps free them from the shame and hurt of their pasts. That common factor is their eagerness to seek the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. These men, although struggling and hurting, are so joyful and are really seeking God for comfort and the strength to finish the program. They know they cannot have complete freedom from their addictions without the God. During our prayer times together they are so eager to pray for each other, and you can just see how much they genially love and care for each other. When we worship and sing you can hear the joy & happiness in their voices. When you talk to them you can just see the hope they have in their eyes to have a future without drugs or alcohol. It has been so incredible being at the Village of Hope this month, and I am truly going to miss this place!
Prayer of Saint Dismas, The Good Thief.
Prayer to Saint Dismas: Glorious Saint Dismas, you alone of all the great Penitent Saints were directly canonized by Christ Himself; you were assured of a place in Heaven with Him “this day” because of the sincere confession of your sins to Him in the tribunal of Calvary and your true sorrow for them as you hung beside Him in that open confessional; you who by the direct sword thrust of your love and repentance did open the Heart of Jesus in mercy and forgiveness even before the centurion’s spear tore it asunder; you whose face was closer to that of Jesus in His last agony, to offer Him a word of comfort, closer even than that of His Beloved Mother, Mary; you who knew so well how to pray, teach me the words to say to Him to gain pardon and the grace of perseverance; and you who are so close to Him now in Heaven, as you were during His last moments on earth, pray to Him for me that I shall never again desert Him, but that at the close of my life I may hear from Him the words He addressed to you: “This day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” Amen.
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