Comments on: The Long Climb http://www.worldnextdoor.org/2010/03/the-long-climb/ Seeing the world in a brand new way... Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:19:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Maeven http://www.worldnextdoor.org/2010/03/the-long-climb/comment-page-1/#comment-1868 Maeven Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:55:16 +0000 http://www.worldnextdoor.org/?p=3103#comment-1868 Don't know how I missed this one, Barry... But this story just reminds me of the people I work with at my internship. God used this story to soften my heart once again, a discipline that needs to be practiced by all social workers. I have a hard time reconciling how to treat people who struggle with addiction as I'm taught to never believe an addict, how to keep cheering these children of God on when so often it's a dark and long battle far bigger than myself. It's a great encouragement to keep believing that there IS life beyond addiction and poverty, and life within it. Praise the Lord that he doesn't leave us where we may find ourselves. Thanks, Barry, for your sacrifice. This experience reminds me of the Kenosis passage in Phillipians... Coming down to meet people where they are at. What great hands and feet of Jesus you have been. Keep going. Don’t know how I missed this one, Barry…

But this story just reminds me of the people I work with at my internship. God used this story to soften my heart once again, a discipline that needs to be practiced by all social workers.
I have a hard time reconciling how to treat people who struggle with addiction as I’m taught to never believe an addict, how to keep cheering these children of God on when so often it’s a dark and long battle far bigger than myself. It’s a great encouragement to keep believing that there IS life beyond addiction and poverty, and life within it.
Praise the Lord that he doesn’t leave us where we may find ourselves.
Thanks, Barry, for your sacrifice. This experience reminds me of the Kenosis passage in Phillipians…

Coming down to meet people where they are at.

What great hands and feet of Jesus you have been. Keep going.

]]> By: Austin Bonds http://www.worldnextdoor.org/2010/03/the-long-climb/comment-page-1/#comment-1791 Austin Bonds Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:24:29 +0000 http://www.worldnextdoor.org/?p=3103#comment-1791 I saw Irving today....he face was still bright from his encounter with Steve as well as you, Barry, from last week. He had some real needs though. He had not taken off his socks since the previous week. He was in need of a fresh pair of socks. I was told we were out, but decided to have a gander. Sure enough, right on top was a pair of brand new socks. Irving had already left. I looked outside and remembered that we had Sean from Illinois Wesleyan outside who was a running back for his universities football team. I asked if he could catch him...a few minutes later Sean was back with a report of a successful delivery. Dry feet after rains like we have had was a welcomed commodity for Irving. I saw Irving today….he face was still bright from his encounter with Steve as well as you, Barry, from last week. He had some real needs though. He had not taken off his socks since the previous week. He was in need of a fresh pair of socks. I was told we were out, but decided to have a gander. Sure enough, right on top was a pair of brand new socks. Irving had already left. I looked outside and remembered that we had Sean from Illinois Wesleyan outside who was a running back for his universities football team. I asked if he could catch him…a few minutes later Sean was back with a report of a successful delivery. Dry feet after rains like we have had was a welcomed commodity for Irving.

]]> By: roger mcgeehan http://www.worldnextdoor.org/2010/03/the-long-climb/comment-page-1/#comment-1776 roger mcgeehan Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:51:02 +0000 http://www.worldnextdoor.org/?p=3103#comment-1776 I got to agree with Steve Pastor, I know he does a lot to help the people who are addicted to drugs and what ever else that involves other kind of drug abuse such as alcohol. Steve is working hard help though's who desire to get help and fight their battle with drugs and alcohol and to find a better life while they can. I can and will support him in anyway that I can in the fight against the uses of any narcotics. I got to agree with Steve Pastor, I know he does a lot to help the people who are addicted to drugs and what ever else that involves other kind of drug abuse such as alcohol. Steve is working hard help though’s who desire to get help and fight their battle with drugs and alcohol and to find a better life while they can. I can and will support him in anyway that I can in the fight against the uses of any narcotics.

]]> By: Deborah Trotter http://www.worldnextdoor.org/2010/03/the-long-climb/comment-page-1/#comment-1774 Deborah Trotter Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:42:56 +0000 http://www.worldnextdoor.org/?p=3103#comment-1774 Thank you, Irving. Please convey that message to him the next time you see him. Thank you and I love you for helping me stay sober today. I am 60 this week and have been clean since 1991 and sober since 1993. I say that because for the first 2 years, I just did not use. It was a hell like no other. I fought so hard. For all the wrong things. Ego, pride, denial, etc. The pain got so bad that if I had not fallen to my knees and begged the God of my childhood to save me, I can't be sure I would still be here. I have to be reminded of this. Since that day, I have gone through many trials . If God favors those he gives trials to then I must be His most favored. I'm sure we've all thought that! Anyway, what I really wanted to say is that I have been where you have been. In sobriety I have been homeless, treated for breast cancer, unable to work, abandoned by my husband....... the list could go on and on. Different problems, same pain. The difference is that my Lord and Savior carries my pain now. I just follow His direction and He never lets me fall. Life is no picnic but He never said it would be. He did say He would be faithful and He has been. Please know that you are loved and cared for by this daughter of the King. You will be offered up in prayer daily. I am so amazed by the folks of The Relief Bus but I am incredibilily grateful for the blessing that is you, Irving. Thank you for being here to share your story. You can help so many people. Keep on keeping on one day at a time. I want to see how 'our' story ends. Deborah T. Thank you, Irving. Please convey that message to him the next time you see him. Thank you and I love you for helping me stay sober today.
I am 60 this week and have been clean since 1991 and sober since 1993. I say that because for the first 2 years, I just did not use. It was a hell like no other. I fought so hard. For all the wrong things. Ego, pride, denial, etc. The pain got so bad that if I had not fallen to my knees and begged the God of my childhood to save me, I can’t be sure I would still be here. I have to be reminded of this.
Since that day, I have gone through many trials . If God favors those he gives trials to then I must be His most favored. I’m sure we’ve all thought that! Anyway, what I really wanted to say is that I have been where you have been. In sobriety I have been homeless, treated for breast cancer, unable to work, abandoned by my husband……. the list could go on and on. Different problems, same pain. The difference is that my Lord and Savior carries my pain now. I just follow His direction and He never lets me fall. Life is no picnic but He never said it would be. He did say He would be faithful and He has been.
Please know that you are loved and cared for by this daughter of the King. You will be offered up in prayer daily.
I am so amazed by the folks of The Relief Bus but I am incredibilily grateful for the blessing that is you, Irving. Thank you for being here to share your story. You can help so many people.
Keep on keeping on one day at a time. I want to see how ‘our’ story ends.
Deborah T.

]]> By: Juan Galloway http://www.worldnextdoor.org/2010/03/the-long-climb/comment-page-1/#comment-1773 Juan Galloway Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:08:58 +0000 http://www.worldnextdoor.org/?p=3103#comment-1773 These photos and this story tell the tale of so many that we meet on the streets with The Relief Bus every week. Great job. These photos and this story tell the tale of so many that we meet on the streets with The Relief Bus every week. Great job.

]]> By: Jim M http://www.worldnextdoor.org/2010/03/the-long-climb/comment-page-1/#comment-1772 Jim M Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:47:35 +0000 http://www.worldnextdoor.org/?p=3103#comment-1772 Addiction is cunning, baffling, and powerful. It's complicated Barry. It is not a choice, it is a disease. Although drug addiction may begin with a series of "poor choices" at some point you are hijacked by your drug. You become enslaved...no longer choosing but rather held hostage by an evil that is imposable to fully understand. No one chooses to lose everything, no one chooses to die, no one chooses to forsake everything they hold dear and replace it with their drug...these are signs of the disease. You have seen some of them this week. You have also heard first hand of the healing offered by a "Higher Power"..You and I recognize this "higher power" as Christ's healing power, love, and grace delivered through the hands, feet, voices, and soup of folks who have "been present" for Matthew, and Irving. Sometimes having faith "for them" when none existed "within them". They are at different points along the journey that is "recovery". With time and Gods grace and love they can live sober, and their lives can be restored...it is a life long journey taken one day at a time. The transforming power of our great God in this disease should be no surprise, it is so wonderful to witness it in the faces of the men in this story. J. Addiction is cunning, baffling, and powerful. It’s complicated Barry. It is not a choice, it is a disease. Although drug addiction may begin with a series of “poor choices” at some point you are hijacked by your drug. You become enslaved…no longer choosing but rather held hostage by an evil that is imposable to fully understand. No one chooses to lose everything, no one chooses to die, no one chooses to forsake everything they hold dear and replace it with their drug…these are signs of the disease. You have seen some of them this week. You have also heard first hand of the healing offered by a “Higher Power”..You and I recognize this “higher power” as Christ’s healing power, love, and grace delivered through the hands, feet, voices, and soup of folks who have “been present” for Matthew, and Irving. Sometimes having faith “for them” when none existed “within them”. They are at different points along the journey that is “recovery”. With time and Gods grace and love they can live sober, and their lives can be restored…it is a life long journey taken one day at a time. The transforming power of our great God in this disease should be no surprise, it is so wonderful to witness it in the faces of the men in this story. J.

]]> By: Steve Buczkowski http://www.worldnextdoor.org/2010/03/the-long-climb/comment-page-1/#comment-1770 Steve Buczkowski Sun, 14 Mar 2010 01:30:53 +0000 http://www.worldnextdoor.org/?p=3103#comment-1770 The stops the buses make are filled with so many Irving's, but there are also so many Matthew's as well. The Relief Bus is making REAL differences out there. At some stops, they are saving actual lives just with the soup they provide. At others, they are simply providing safety for a few hours. You can truly feel the spirit of God present while serving. The drug dealers split, the gangs leave, and Christ's spirit is winning. The stops the buses make are filled with so many Irving’s, but there are also so many Matthew’s as well. The Relief Bus is making REAL differences out there. At some stops, they are saving actual lives just with the soup they provide. At others, they are simply providing safety for a few hours. You can truly feel the spirit of God present while serving. The drug dealers split, the gangs leave, and Christ’s spirit is winning.

]]> By: Leah http://www.worldnextdoor.org/2010/03/the-long-climb/comment-page-1/#comment-1769 Leah Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:03:48 +0000 http://www.worldnextdoor.org/?p=3103#comment-1769 thanks for sharing, Barry. i know i've heard from others (and probably thought to myself on occasion, if i'm completely honest) that it's a drug addict's own fault that they're in that situation and that these are the consequences of their own actions. thank you for bringing dignity and worth and love back to their lives. thank you for reminding us that they are children of God too. and thank you for the reminder that we are all struggling with addictions to something: money, power, material possessions, approval, etc..., and that only Jesus was perfect. we need these stories to remind us of that. thanks for bringing them to us. can't wait to hear more. thanks for sharing, Barry. i know i’ve heard from others (and probably thought to myself on occasion, if i’m completely honest) that it’s a drug addict’s own fault that they’re in that situation and that these are the consequences of their own actions. thank you for bringing dignity and worth and love back to their lives. thank you for reminding us that they are children of God too. and thank you for the reminder that we are all struggling with addictions to something: money, power, material possessions, approval, etc…, and that only Jesus was perfect. we need these stories to remind us of that. thanks for bringing them to us. can’t wait to hear more.

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