Archived Stories

It would be the same old story if it wasn't so tragic…teenage boy parties with methamphetamine and soon develops an addiction. This is Matthew's story. And, 29 years later he is tired – tired of jail, tired of going right back to the old friends and places, and tired of dysfunction being the norm.

Matthew's parents split up when he was in Junior High. Partying was an easy way to cover the pain. Some years ago at another program, he thought he had the problem licked, but he fell hard again. Matt explains, "I had no spiritual family and I had no sponsor, so I had cut off all accountability and I fell."

Today that has changed. Being able to work at the mission's thrift store and to work as part of our facility team has helped Matthew. "It's been good to be able to work and not expect anything in return. It's something I intend to carry on even when I'm earning a paycheck again. Working for Jesus makes me want to work hard. That was hard at first for me, but now it seems the natural thing to do is to give back."

Matt attends the Lompoc Foursquare church with his wife and children. He has taken on a lead role with Narcotics Anonymous and he is very, very grateful to go back to work for his employer. Matthew is responsible for remodel, repair, and maintenance for four hotels in the area. Matthew, we're proud of you and happy to see God at work in your life.

Jimmy and Scotty work the evening shift together at our thrift store in our job training program. These two guys are hard working and courteous. What's really great is the way they are fighting to gain their lives back from addiction and loss.

Jimmy (James Payne) started abusing methamphetamines and alcohol early in his life. Before he was 45, Jimmy served time in 5 state prisons for drug-related offenses. While incarcerated, Jimmy accepted Christ as his savior and was baptized.

At the age of 13, Scotty (Scott Preast) started hanging around with the wrong group of friends. He started drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana and eventually dropped out school in the 10th grade. Outside the structure of prison, Jimmy hasn't done well. He wants to keep free from trouble, drugs, and prison – so he asked to join the mission's Recovery Program. Jimmy now understands that a good start isn't enough. He's determined to put things into place so that he finishes. He likes working at the Central Coast Thrift Store and being part of the outreach ministry - serving dinners to the homeless and working poor.

Scotty has been arrested eight times for DUI, seven times for drug related offenses, and has been through four rehabilitation programs. Scotty has been in and out of the County Jail until recently. Somehow, Scotty has been in the Carpenters Union for the past 20 years and is a licensed Metal Stud Framing installer. He is also a Race Car Driver and has 21 career victories at the Santa Maria Speedway in the Stock Car Division. Scotty accepted Christ as his personal savior earlier this year. Scotty heard about the Rescue Mission and joined the Recovery Program hoping for a different outcome. Scotty has discovered that, despite his failures and frustrations, God never gives up on him and always hopes for his best. This has taken away anger and fear of failure.

Jimmy's aim is simple: remain clean and sober, count his blessings every day, continue attending church, and to put God first in his life in everything. Scotty looks at the future with courage today. Scotty is putting God first in his marriage and relationship with his children. He hopes to return to work as a framer, pay off his court ordered fines and debts, and live as a free man in love with Jesus.

Jay came to us last year after what I would describe as decades of careless living. His carelessness brought him behind the bars of jail with the nagging question in his mind, "What's the point of living anyway?" "Would have," "Could have," and "Should have," are of no help in life – even if you are a really nice guy like Jay is. Now that he is in the mission recovery program, Jay is beginning to see that life is worth living, so long as he is willing to keep giving his life to God and to serving others. Because Jay is Serve-Safe certified, he has been the mission's key food-service person while the mission has grown its outreach ministry from 60 meals a week to almost 250 meals a week.

Jay is a very kind guy and he's an avid reader. He's picking up some side work on the weekends to address some dental work. He also loves to visit his mother and his brother after church on Sunday. For the first time in his adult life, Jay is not consumed by fear and depression. He has a peace about his life today and sees God opening up several options, including serving as one of the mission's interns and developing his food service skills. It really is a joy to be able to see a great change in men's lives. Thank you for providing refuge, recovery, and restoration to those who are seeking a new start.

Since his teenage years, Michael Sanchez has known trouble from gangs, drugs, and the courts. Mike came to the mission because he didn't want to go back to the mess. He knew he needed help or he'd be in trouble again. Mike has tried other programs and he says, "There's one thing I know for sure and that this time is my last time – I don't have any more screw-ups left in the bank."

Now, Michael, who is graduating from the Mission's Recovery Program, is attending Alan Hancock College to become a drug and alcohol counselor. In his words, "There may be thousands of counselors out there, but there are only a few who I'll connect with and get free. That excites me to help others - to help people who are where I've been in life."