I was in the kitchen doing my steps work and I suddenly felt like God was helping me know what to write. Normally I really worry about my spellings but I felt like God was guiding my pen so I could write what I needed to, whilst also telling me not to worry about how I was spelling things. At the same time I felt a real glowing feeling and all the kitchen seemed to light up like a bright light. I felt Jesus with me! I felt full of joy and happy in myself and that life was worth going on for. God had lifted my spirits and I felt all different.
I really felt God everywhere in the house and it was lovely! I felt him remind me that wherever I went and whatever I did, he would be with me all the time. I have had a blessing off God and I’m never going to forget my experience!
I started drinking alcohol at a very early age and grew up around it. My drinking got worse and I lost all relationships with my family. They gave up on me, but I didn’t care – drink was more important to me.
In one relationship I had a daughter who was the most important thing that had happened to me, but at this stage I did not realise how much the drinking had got hold of me. It is because of this that the relationship did not work out. I carried on drinking and was not allowed to see her again. At the time I didn’t do anything about this because ‘I knew best.’ I didn’t listen to anyone and carried on drinking. In and out of relationships and bedsits I eventually ended up in a wet house which is a place that allows residents to drink on site. I thought my dreams had come true and I loved it. I drank as much as I could all the time.
Then one day I had an accident where I fell down some stairs leading to a fire exit, all 30 of them, breaking my shoulder. After an operation I was left disabled with half a titanium arm. While at hospital I was visited by 2 staff from The Bridge. Little did I know that day would change the rest of my life. With the help of my alcohol nurse I moved into The Bridge from hospital.
At first I kept myself to myself. When I started attending the groups I thought that they would not have enough experience of ‘real life’ to be able to help me. How wrong I was. They taught me to look at myself, face my past and why I treated people like I did. I realised how selfish I had been in some of the things I did. The Bridge taught me how to deal with things properly without losing my temper and they taught me how to make amends with people, including myself. They also helped me get back everything I had lost: Passport, drivers licence, birth certificate and more importantly my relationship with my daughter who I thought I had lost after 14 years of no contact. I cant thank them enough for that.
The Bridge will always have a special place in my heart because of what they’ve done for me. I have managed to rebuild the relationship with my family because they taught me how to share my feelings with people, which for years I had probably tried to hide by drinking.
I missed out on a lot of things while drinking and I see life in a totally different way now. I’m so aware of the things we often take for granted, like how lucky we are to be here and how we need too make the most of the time we have. I spend time talking to God everyday now and view the world through a different pair of eyes. Most of all, I now enjoy life.
I have noticed one thing about The Bridge: The staff don’t come here because its their job. They come here to help you.
I have been working with homelessness and addiction for nearly 16 yrs. It started in Dorset at a YMCA and through various settings including hostels, street work, nights shelters and a community addictions team I eventually joined The Bridge 9 yrs ago. Throughout these 9 years I have had the privilege of working with many amazing people, whose hearts have been to see the broken in our society restored. I have also met many people who have lost their hope that life can be better than they have known before. Seeing them take steps of success in their recovery, become restored in themselves and restored with society is an amazing privilege to watch and brings joy to the heart.
Its not all rosy; there are those who just cant grasp any hope for change, and those that get so far and then fall away. There are also those that despite some success, give up altogether and return to lives of addiction and destruction, sometimes resulting in an early loss of life.
However, whereas this brings sadness it does not make me want to give up. Rather it makes me more determined to do what I do. For every persons life that is changed because of the work of The Bridge, its one less lost.
Why would I want to give my time to anything else?
I’ve been a drug user for 20 years. I heard of The Bridge whilst in prison from my CARAT worker. Since I came to The Bridge, my life has never been so good. The people who work here are warm, friendly and welcoming. This is my first time in any sort of rehab and its changed my life for the good. I will never go back to my old ways. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to be free from drugs and alcohol. Its the first time in my life I feel alive and normal and its all because of the support from The Bridge who have helped me see a better picture of life.
Last week we shared the sad news that a former resident of The Bridge, Fran, had recently passed away. One week later I now have the news that his funeral is Thursday 14th July 2011. If you knew Fran and wish to pay your last respects, please contact us at The Bridge for more details.
We’d like to welcome back Jackie Medler to The Bridge. After serving at The Bridge for 10 or so years until February this year she has returned to join our volunteer team,bringing her various talents in yet another capacity. We want to thank her for her continuing input into our journey in ‘bringing hope where there is none.’ Welcome aboard Jackie!
Although we like to share good news and stories of daily life within The Bridge, there are times that news brings sadness to the heart. It is on this occasion that I share such news.
Between April and November 2009 we had a man stay with us called Fran. Fran was a lovely man who had struggled with Addiction for many years. Unfortunately, this week we received the sad news that Fran has passed away. Like all those who pass through our doors, Fran had a special place in our hearts and he will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this difficult time.
I drank and abused Alcohol for 31 years and towards the end of my drinking I didnt want to live anymore. Then I came to The Bridge and asked for help to change and turn my life around. I didn’t give myself much hope! Then I began the 12 Step programme which is helping me change my attitude to life. The staff and the residents are helping me stay on the right track and I have been off the booze for 4 months. I know its early days but I have 3 part time voluntary jobs, have my church I attend twice per week and have God in my life who is guiding me to live Jesus’ way. When I leave, I hope to have my own flat and full time employment. Thank God that The Bridge is here for anyone who wants to break free from their addiction and change life for the better!
Every year during the summer months Hope Church Worcester hold a camp near Evesham called ‘Encounter’. This is a camp that was designed for those from various difficult backgrounds that need a breakthrough, including life controlling addictions. It is held for five days and people have the opportunity to meet others from similar backgrounds, take part in sports activities, art, teaching and the chance to ’ encounter’ God and see him bring change in their lives. We were able to take some along this year. Here is their person’s stories;
‘Having been referred by The Bridge to go to Encounter I found that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Every aspect down to the camping, music, sports and prayer was wonderful. I have felt a sense of freedom since I have come back.’ Dean
Going to Encounter camp this year was a good break for me. I’ve been before but was not as ready as I am now. The camp helped me relax and look at the spiritual side of my life. I enjoyed this years Encounter and also won the pool competition which made me feel even better! I recommend it to anyone who enjoys camping and has a spiritual side as the camp will help express this. Steve
We are at an exciting moment in the history and future of the Bridge and we want to invite you to join us on this journey of bringing hope where there is none.
