Sunday, February 19, 2012

Welcome Home

The last blog post was about Carlos who was "in need of a little bit of help". Since then I have not added any new posts but figured today would be a perfect day to make a follow up post to Carlos' story.

A few weeks ago I was sitting on the sofa working on some homework when I heard a knock on the door. It was a Sunday and we often get visitors on the weekend so it was no surprise to know there was someone at the door. The surprise, however, was who it was that was knocking on our door. When I opened the door I saw none other than Carlos standing on our front porch. Considering the last time I saw him he was having heroine withdrawals, he was looking much better. He was clean, healthy, and had a big ole smile on his face. The smile was contagious and for the next few hours the smile that he gave me would not leave my face.

Before he could ask me if I remembered him I reached out and gave him a hug. He informed me that he had spent the last 3 months at Homeward Bound and was now living at the 24hr club which happens to be just down the street from out house. Not only that but he also had found a job which started the next morning. I couldn't tell him enough how glad I was to see him and how proud I was of him.

That was a little over a month ago and I have seen him nearly every Sunday since as he has been attending Grace UMC. This morning Carlos took another big step as he decided to become a member at Grace. I can not express how happy I am for Carlos and how proud I am of him. He got his 4 month chip just a couple of weeks ago and is doing very well. He told me that he is doing all that he can to turn his life around and so far he has taken all the right steps.

Addiction is not something that people magically get over and it is something that will hang over you for your whole life. I hope that Carlos never returns to his addiction but at least now, even if he does, he knows that he has a home. He has a church home at Grace and an extended family at the Bonhoeffer House. We don't know what the future holds for Carlos but we know that we will do everything within our power to love and support him and continue to walk our life journeys as a family in Christ.

Peace,

Brandon