Likune's Story - From addiction and depression to hope and restoration .
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2023
- This month I wanted to share Likune's story. From recovering from addictive behaviors, struggling with depression to graduating from our Christian Life Discipleship Program, and becoming a full-time employee in our IT department. Watch Likune's Restoration story.
“When I was three, my mom had to leave the country for various reasons, and I was left there with my brother and my dad, who was an alcoholic. There was a lot of neglect, verbal abuse, and physical beatings. So, I grew up with a lot of confusion, anxiety, and trauma.
We were able to migrate to the United States to rejoin my mom. I didn't speak a word of English, and it was tough. That led to a lot of bullying and difficulties in high school. The resentment and anger I had built up caught up to me, and I started experiencing a lot of anxiety and depression.
I tried to resolve and fix it on my own. I started struggling with addictive behaviors. That led to encounters with dangerous individuals. There were kidnapping attempts, street fights, and a lot of homelessness, despair, and nights spent by dumpsters. I've had an episode where I was very suicidal, and I called a mentor. He referred me to Union Rescue Mission. Union Rescue is known as the last couch on the block, and it really is. This was my last chance. It was either this or death.”
Mental health difficulties are prevalent on our streets. Many people, like Likune, treat their mental health with substances when they actually need prescribed services and counseling.
This is the reason why we partnered with Pepperdine Mental Health Clinic. We have also had to emphasize hiring specialists in mental health issues, such as masters of social work and psychologists. If we're going to address homelessness, we must also tackle mental health and addiction recovery issues. Otherwise, we will never solve homelessness.
Our guests have all sorts of inner wounds that need to be overcome. By taking the program seriously and attending classes faithfully, many guests have been able to achieve sobriety and clear thinking.
Through your help, coupled with our counselors, chaplains and staff we made it through many challenges and needs that seemed impossible to overcome. But we serve a God who does the impossible.
We could not do this life-changing, life-transforming work without your prayers and support.
Thank you.
Andy Bales
President/CEO
You are doing awesome brother, you are a blessing to those who get the opportunity to know you and an inspiration to those to come. God bless you 🙏
Thank you for sharing your story.
For someone who has been through so much, you seem reasonable, sane, likable and smart.
Keep in trucking!
May God bless your efforts.
God bless u…
Surrendering to *Christ* was the key, brother. Don’t take your foot of the gas paddle, the *Holy Spirit* wants to use you in a mighty way to help others.
I missed the part of him being married? Did he adopt those two boys as a single man? Were there two women involved or one? Who did he kidnap?
Lots of questions. Very sketchy.