How the broken are overcoming addiction, homelessness and receiving the support they need for medical conditions like cancer through Christian recovery programs. Just like Wayside Cross’s Master’s Touch Recovery Program in Chicago.

“I came home to visit my mom and try to help her out. She just turned 80 years old. I was doing ok when I lived in Minnesota. I wasn’t drugging or anything but when I got to Chicago, I got up with some old friends and started drinking.

About that same time, I started my first battle with cancer. Things got pretty bad, but somehow, I remembered I didn’t come to Chicago for that stuff. I came to help my mom. Eventually, I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. One night, I called a friend who had been through the program at Wayside Cross Ministries. We got 60-years of history together. He picked me up and brought me to Wayside. That was my birthday.

For a time, I felt like all my chances in life were used up. There was nothing left to live for. I felt homeless and lost. Now I was in a men’s recovery shelter.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ~ Psalm 119:105

Once I got here, I entered their Master’s Touch Ministry, a Bible-based Christian shelter and recovery program for men.

It wasn’t easy, I had to stop some of the medication I was taking that affected my addiction. I had to stop livin’ for myself and thinking my life was all used up. I had to start believing that God had something more for me. That was tough!

It’s been two years and I feel good now, but recovery got its ups and downs.

I ain’t gonna lie….

Fortunately, people like you kept prayin’ for me and believing in me…you’ll never know what a difference that makes!

Today, I’m a Resident Assistant working in the transportation department at Wayside. I get to coordinate furniture and clothing pickups and schedule customer deliveries for both of Wayside’s thrift stores.

As an RA, I also help encourage 90 guys in the men’s recovery program. When things look difficult and they start thinking they ain’t gonna make it. They take one look at me and that gets ’em going.

Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. ~ Hebrews 10:24

On the weekends now, I go home and check on my mom.  I get to scrub her feet and do some laundry and grocery shopping for her. She don’t move around so easily these days. She’s funny too! If I ever get down, she tells me at her age, she’s still working three part-time jobs six days a week. Really! That women’s got me beat. She’s a good motivator that way! Each day, I just keep believing God’s got more for me to do. I just need to get up and do it!”

Cancer?

Far as that goes, it falls under God. He’s been very good to me. Especially in the condition I’m in at my age. I’ve been in this program and off cancer pain medication over two years now. But I don’t miss it. My thinking is clear…

Sure, I wake up with some aches and pains, but God gets me up and out of bed. He gets me moving again. That’s all I really need.”

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Please continue to pray for Maurice’s health and recovery and that God continues to use him in the shepherding and encouraging of others in their spiritual walk.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ~ John 10:10

Help Maurice and many others recover and rebuild their lives. Support our Annual Campaign.
It could be the most important gift you’ll give all year.

If you enjoyed this story and want to learn about other lives that were changed, click: Stories of Hope & Recovery

If you know someone in need of a safe place to recover and rebuild their lives call Wayside Cross Ministries’ Lifespring Center for Women or Master’s Touch for Men at (630) 892-4239.