Mark has been sober for 15 years. He conquered his addictions, attending AA meetings regularly, and attended church. Despite putting in hard work every day, he still found himself at a crossroads. “I had overcome my addiction, but my life was still a mess,” Mark said. “I was just on my knees, crying, praying, ‘Why? Why me?’ I didn’t feel like God was listening to me.”

Mark worked at a rehabilitation home before moving on to a juvenile facility, where he suffered a stroke. After the center closed down, Mark was unable to secure disability or social security. Because of the stroke, Mark has slightly slurred speech, and he thinks he was turned down for work because potential employees thought he was drunk or high. He couldn’t afford his home and moved into his ex-wife’s studio apartment, where he slept on the floor. “I turned my will and life over to God 15 years ago,” Mark said. “But life still got tough for me. I couldn’t make ends meet.”

Mark’s sister, who volunteers serving meals to the homeless, had heard of the mission. She encouraged him to give them a call. “I just thought, ‘What do I have to lose?’” Mark said.

Now Mark’s relationship with God is flourishing. “I’ve learned so much and they’ve helped me get so much closer to God,” he said. “I got my own bible. It’s difficult for me to read and write, but they’re patient with me here. I’m reading better, and I’m looking up verses now.”

Mark hopes to share what he’s learned with others who are struggling. “I am just trying to be an example every single day. I try to give it my all, in everything I do. I try to be helpful, polite, and respectful. I was like a lost sheep and now I’m in a place that’s holding on to me and keeping me in the word of God.”

Mark now thinks he had lost his focus on God. “When life gets busy, we put stuff to the side,” Mark said. “But things start piling up and we need to refocus. It’s been a blessing for me to be a part of this. I’m cherishing every moment of this time with God.”