"John, I need help... please help me."

That's all Mike could say as he stood on my porch one bitter cold night in January.

I had opened the door to a frozen blast of air and a moment of shock seeing my friend who I lost touch with. He had been part of our addiction recovery program months prior, and left one day without a word. A few months later he called from prison, but again we lost contact.

Mike and I met over ten years ago in another recovery program. I've invested hundreds of hours in conversation with him, and seen him at his best and what I thought was his worst. But that night, as Mike stood on my porch, I stared at a man about 20 pounds too thin, covered in dirt and exhausted. This was definitely seeing him at his worst. Whatever had happened in the year that had passed since we last spoke had changed him.

“John, I need help... please help me.”

Mike was in need of shelter, supplies, and a new start. He was in danger after some bad choices and ready to turn his life around. He told me “John, everyone I care about in the world is out to get me.”

In active addiction, best friends can become our worst enemies. Oftentimes it's fighting over money and drugs, and this was the spot Mike was in. Down and out, he knew if he could get to Greenhouse, my home, then he could receive help. Mike had faith that our ministry would provide aid. He didn't ask for money but instead help to start a new life. We got him into a shelter that night... safe and sound, starting his new journey to freedom. Greenhouse was able to support Mike during the most difficult time in his life.

I love Mike and have often prayed for his freedom. However, if I'm honest, I thought Mike wasn’t going to change. This time though, Mike asked for spiritual help. I invited him and his girlfriend to our church service. Not only did they come, they attended week after week. Both Mike and his girlfriend joined our Discipleship groups and professed a commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Mike started a new job and things were on the up.

Then one day, my phone rang and the caller ID read "prison."

I knew right away it was him. Mike had been arrested for violating probation. He was doing the healthy things… getting sober, landing a job, connecting to the gospel and fellow believers. But he still landed in jail. Because of the years invested in our friendship, I've been able to keep Mike accountable while in prison and encourage him to stay in God's Word. I believe he’ll be released a stronger man, still committed to a healthy, sober life.

When he showed up on my porch last January, I didn't see a drug addicted man on the run who had hurt everyone he loved. I saw a child of God.

My friend Mike just needed consistent love, care and guidance. I remember so clearly what it was like too, an addict lost and broken. My heart as a Pastor is to see people as God sees them: valuable and worthy of love. Someone in Mike's shoes can knock on our door at anytime knowing we will help them as best we can. We invest in the well-being of our neighbors.

This is just one story of many at Greenhouse Project. Lives are being changed each time we show the love of Christ, and help others in their difficult place for the long haul.

READ THE UPDATE ON MIKE

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Because of your financial support, we can care for neighbors like Mike in Chester who live on the fringe of society. In the difficult places of addiction, abuse, homelessness and poverty, education fallout. Your donation today helps keep our effective programs going!! Thank you.

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We have been there. Greenhouse offers FREE Addiction Recovery support. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to info@ghproject.org today.