I wrote this blog while on the high seas back in August.  But being technologically-challenged, I had trouble getting it back here.  I have returned and I still believe all the stuff I wrote, so I am posting it after the fact.

My wife and I are on a 35^th anniversary cruise around the British Isles. Right now I am sitting at a table in the dining room of the ship as we cruise by the high cliffs along northern coast of Scotland. Obviously, it is amazing – at the moment, Gayle is aft taking photos of the same. 

The whole experience has been pretty surreal. Friends made this trip possible for us. We are visiting countries that are so special to Gayle – her father was born in Lincoln, England and, as an MK (missionary’s kid), she would spend time every 4 years in England. I must say she is a certified Anglophile! While that word may scare you a bit, just look it up, it will be okay. 

I am enjoying this opportunity so much; seeing some special features of God’s Creation; visiting some very meaningful historical sites (and the British Museum!); meeting lots of interesting people (including a Scottish Duke!); and doing it all with my wife and good friends. I really am a blessed guy. 

And all of that leaves me with two special thoughts. The first is that I have been able to do things in my adult life that I never dreamed possible. Growing up in a suburban middle class family in Prince George County, Maryland, I never imagined all that I have been able to experience. Since I know I am not that good or that smart, it seems like some sort of miracle. I actually think it is. The only explanation I can come up with is that there is a God in heaven who loves His children and honors their effort to stay honest, open and willing with Him. 

The second thing is that I am very excited about the work God has called me to do at Helping Up Mission. I talked about it in the ship’s laundromat with a guy today (yes, I did my own laundry – that’s how I travel light!). I love what I do and believe it is a very important work. I work with good people (the staff) and we have the opportunity to make an eternal difference in the lives of some special men (our clients). I also get to meet, know and work hand-in-hand with some pretty amazing volunteers, donors and friends of HUM. I am a blessed guy. See all of you again real soon. 

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

The Texas Rangers are in town this weekend.  So this morning Brian Roberts, second baseman of the Baltimore Orioles and Josh Hamilton, center fielder of the Texas Rangers came to Helping Up Mission and spoke about their faith to the guys.

They both spoke about their real need to trust Jesus as their personal saviors as well as to have a daily walk with Him.  Both acknowledged their real sense of calling to be a believer as a professional baseball player.  Each of them also spoke about making inappropriate choices as believers which have caused them and those who love them pain.  Of special connection to us here was Josh’s addiction background, his recovery and his subsequent incredible baseball career. 

Brian and Diana Roberts have been friends of Helping Up Mission for the last couple of years and both have been here on multiple occasions.  It was Brian who made the arrangements with Josh for him to come today. 

For a bunch of sports fans here at Helping Up Mission, this was a real treat.  We have so many wonderful friends who have supported us over the years.  Thanks to all of you.  We are who we are and we do what we do, because of who you are and because of what you do.  Go Orioles!

One Day at a Time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Jimmy has been clean from drugs and alcohol for just over 9 months. Last Sunday, he woke up late. It was 6:45AM and he was angry with the guys for not waking him up at 6:00 so he could do his driving job here at the Mission. Jimmy didn’t get cleaned up, stop for a cup of coffee or a cigarette (!), just went straight to where the van had been parked. It was still there, but there were no guys waiting for him. 

So Jimmy went to see if someone else had taken them in another vehicle and he ran into Richard.  He expressed surprise that Jimmy was driving guys somewhere that early on a Sunday morning...Sunday morning!?!? Jimmy thought it was Monday morning.  

So, after he calmed down, Jimmy went upstairs to go back to bed. It has been a rough day already and he was just going to relax a bit. The lights were still off in the dorm, and he couldn’t believe it – somebody was sleeping in his bed! He knew that new guys sometimes get mixed up about where they are or are supposed to be, but this was ridiculous. He walked out the back door of the dorm into the dorm lounge. Somebody had changed all the furniture around since last night!

Then Jimmy noticed the sign on the stairwell door, it said 2^nd Floor – and his bunk was on the 3^rd floor Now stuff like this used to happen to Jimmy in the past, but he was always using drugs and alcohol. So, on the one hand, it was a little scary thinking that he was capable of being like this sober…but on the other hand, he knew he was clean – and in all this confusion that felt pretty good.  

Most of us understand exactly what Jimmy was going through. Life can be tough and there is only one way to do it – one day at a time.  I hope your day has started off better than Jimmy's did.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director 

I really am enjoying our newly renovated 1029 East Baltimore Street building – the first building Helping Up Mission purchased on this block in 1955. I love my new classroom and office, the new library and chapel. 

One of the other things that I really appreciate is the effort to keep connected to the old building – a continuous reminder from whence we have come. Most of those reminders come from the old chapel, which was originally added as a gymnasium as part of the renovation of building as the German Branch of the YMCA from 1889 to 1897. The original gym floor became our chapel floor and around here, it has become a badge of honor to have spent the night sleeping on the old chapel floor. 

As part of our renovation, the old chapel floor was taken up and reused in a number of different locations in our new building – my favorite being the large Cross on the east wall of the new 1029 lobby. I can’t remember whose idea originally, but Mike (then in the Program and now on staff) designed it. Mike, Danny (also graduate staff) and Richard (in the Program) cut and fit pieces of the old floor into the 13 x 8 foot Cross. 

Our architect loved the idea and their project manager, Kevin, got inspired and wrote something which he thought was fitting to accompany the Cross on the wall. We found his words so appropriate that we used them exactly as he wrote and envisioned it on the wall around the Cross.

As this golden wood has borne the bodies and souls of your brother before you - so, too, shall the Lord carry you forward on the road to recovery and salvation”

While the Cross has been up for a while (see my blog 3/1/10), the lettering was put up around it last week. It looks great and really expresses what those of us who have been around here really feel. 

Thanks to you all for your continued support of what we do here. We pray for you often, especially those with health and financial difficulties. I do hope you can come down here soon and tour the new building and see the Cross. 

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

PS We will have the official dedication of renovated 1029 this fall. I will keep you posted about planned activities.

Every day is interesting and entertaining around here. Today was unique for both on my list. This morning, 5 managers from Bank of America came back to do another round of mock interviews with men who either are already or shortly will be looking for jobs – and they met with 46 of our guys. Another Bank of America employee also came today to do his weekly credit and banking problem consultations with another 5 guys. They are providing just invaluable services to the men in our long-term Spiritual Recovery Program. 

Then this afternoon, at our Friday chapel service we gave out 25 educational Mini Perfecta awards for perfect attendance in this quarter of high school diploma preparation classes. After completing these classes, each man will take a placement test to determine where he fits into the GED (examinations) or EDP (External Diploma Program) diploma track. Then we handed out 8 Certificate of Completions for our Food Service Preparation course, of which 3 of the guys already have jobs. Today we had one graduate, Fred, a kitchen intern who also completed the Food Service course and is now ready to go out and look for work. 

Finally, to top off the day the Baltimore Orioles’ pitcher, Jeremy Guthrie, also stopped by to meet the guys who were moving up to the next phase of our program today and also gave a good word to all the guys in the chapel. 

Just another day at Helping Up Mission. Man, I love my job!

Sincerely,
Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

For I know the plans I have planned for you, declares the LORD, plans for peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11)

This has become more than just a favorite verse for me, it has become a guiding spiritual principle for my everyday life. I actually believe God loves me more than my mother, father and both sets of grandparents combined! Not only does He love me, but He also has the power to bring to pass His absolutely best conceived plan for my life. I have experienced it just too many times to doubt it, and I have also seen it come to pass in the lives of so many others. 

So here we are today, August 8, 2010. I am 58 years old and have never gotten around to having a colonoscopy. I know I was supposed to do it after I reached 50, but I figured I was in good health and would just wait until they could do virtual colonoscopies. Admittedly, to have the procedure done does seem to have become a badge of honor among the over-50 crowd I know. So, even the ladies are beginning to tell me to man up and get it done. 

Well, my wife (who had hers done 2 years ago) finally just made me an appointment – for today. I went for my consultation last week and decided I really could do this. Saturday night I started the prep and, as I went to bed last night, I decided this really wasn’t so bad. My wife was working the night shift at the hospital so I went to bed to get a couple of hours of sleep between trips to the bathroom. 

Just after 2 AM, I decided I needed to go again and stumbled to the bathroom in the dark. But this time I began to feel sick to my stomach and got really hot. I felt nauseous and thought maybe a drink of water at the sink would help. The next think I knew, I was lying on the cool hard ceramic tile floor of my bathroom and felt pain from my head to my foot. It was still dark and I just couldn’t quite figure out where I was. I staggered up to the sink one more time and, again, the next thing I knew was the cool hard ceramic tile floor of my bathroom. I had knocked things off my sink, including some items into the toilet, but got a drink of water and carefully made my way back to bed and called my wife at the hospital. I felt quite weak and sounded a bit disoriented, but she offered some comforting words and gave me some advice like stay in bed before you really hurt yourself!  Now, I have been known to faint at the sight of my own blood, but this was a whole new experience. 

Well, I did survive the night and my buddy, Butch, got me to my procedure on time this morning. I told the medical people what had happened and they said the prep affects people in many different ways – so take off your clothes, put on these footies, this gown and your “party hat.” As I laid on that stretcher for about 30 minutes waiting for the “big event,” it hit me – here I was, after a rather scary night and facing something that I really didn’t want to do to find out something I really didn’t want to know, AND I REALIZED I HADN’T EVEN PRAYED TO TELL GOD WHAT I WANTED HIM TO DO FOR ME. 

But, that was precisely the point. I really was resting in His plan for me; that it was still in-force; that it was for my good; and that it offered me a hopeful future. That’s why I did that prep stuff and that’s why I was lying here – God’s got my back! And I reaffirmed right then and there, whatever they find will be part of the plan and it will be good for me. I was going to be okay with that. 

Well, I lived to tell this tale. I’ve got my badge of honor. Doc said I did so well that I don’t have to come back for 10 years. Now, about that dentist appointment…

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth (3 John 1:4)

This has become a very special verse to me since I took the role of Spiritual Life Director at Helping Up Mission in 1999.  Through the first three phases of our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program, I get to have every guy in class with me daily.  It is my chance to pour into their hearts what has been working in my life and is so meaningful to me.  I get to know some of the guys pretty well and, over and over again, it is my joy to see them begin to find hope, answers and empowerment in their personal lives. 

With 400 men typically spending the night with us on the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street, everyday somebody does something to really disappoint me around here.  But for every 1 that I really feel bad about, there are 10 guys who are making really progress.  Over half the Helping Up Mission staff are graduates of our Program (all but 1 graduated since I have been here).  We have another 35 graduate interns in training with us to help serve the men in our programs.  And everyday alumni of our Program stop by and let us know how they are doing.  So every time I really get bummed out about something around here, I just stop a minute and take a look at all the men clean, in recovery and walking in the truth.  

One of the guys, Tim, arrived here in July 2008.  He graduated in 2009 and continues to live and work here with us.  He is also going to college at nearby Baltimore City Community College.  In an English class this summer, he had to write an essay about someone who has been a positive influence in his life.  He title it “With Help from Pastor Gary” and talked about what he has learned here and how it has impacted his life.  Admitted, I got more credit than I deserved, but it gave me warm fuzzies all over to read how I had been able to offer some direction for his life.

My wife and I have two grown children who live in California and of whom I am very proud.  While we only see thyem a couple of times a year, we talk, text and email regularly.  You can understand when I say that even though we are on opposites sides of the continent, when they are doing well, it just makes my day a bit better – and when they are struggling, it is a real downer for me here.

Well, I have 400 “other” children, too.  It is my privilege to invest in their lives and I have no greater joy than to see them walking in the truth.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Jordan arrived here for our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program in the middle of March this year.  His addiction had taken quite a toll on his life and he understood that it would take a while before he could reasonably expect to regroup and experience the kind of things he wants out of life.    

As Jordan says, since he arrived he has been working an honest program – he has done what he is supposed to do, not sneaking around doing things destructive to his recovery.  Now he is at the point where he is eligible to go back to work in the community, while still living here in the final phase of our Program.  But Jordan found himself beginning to feel lots of stress in his desire to go back to work – where will he find a job and how will all this possibly work out.  Last week, he told me, he made a conscious decision to commit this whole process to the Lord.

Probably not a big surprise to many of you – but quite a surprise to Jordan – God came through in a big way this week.  Two different places have jobs for him and his father offered his old truck to Jordan for transportation!  He is so grateful.  Jordan shared with me that he figured he would have to “pay” for a while before he could expect anything like this from the Lord.  God is good, all the time!

Now this doesn’t mean there won’t be further complications or even some delays in his journey, but Jordan recognized that this was clearly God moving in his life – and, no doubt, the best is yet to come.  All the time, God is good! 

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

This was the title of a college mid-term writing project for Richard this summer.  He is an intern here at Helping Up Mission - I have known him for quite a few years and he has come a long way in his recovery.  I got to read what he wrote and thought you might appreciate it, too.  So, with Richard's permission: 

My inherent selfishness is about a lot more than just the nature I was born with. The importance of being able to manage a character defect that controls my selfish outlook on the world is one of the biggest challenges in my life. The quest to overcome the adverse effects of self-centeredness is central in the journey I am now on so that I can increase the overall quality of my life.

I was born into a family of eleven children and I had six older siblings. By the time I was five years old I had four younger siblings. The ability to keep anything for myself had a direct correlation with my selfish nature. I can remember times when I even had to fight in order to have something to eat. When I was fortunate enough to get a new toy or even a book I found out that the only way to keep it in my possession was to hide it. Growing up in this kind of environment led me to believe it was okay to keep things from other people. The idea that if something was lying around it was okay to pick it up also played a major role in my early development. I did not consider taking things that were not mine to be stealing till much later in my life.

I started to drink and take drugs regularly at the age of thirteen and the nature of that disease also contributed to my overall concept that I could take whatever I wanted from whoever I wanted as long as I did not get caught. My selfishness grew in proportion to my general disregard for people overall. Having had an alcoholic father who was abusive to all his children made it seem natural to distrust everyone I came in contact with. His disregard for other people and their property reinforced my warped belief system and allowed me to believe that this kind of behavior was normal.

My father would often have trouble with the law as a result of his behavior and he would often voice his opinion about how the system was unfair. I incorporated those beliefs into an already faulty belief system. That reinforced an attitude of selfishness because it taught me that everyone was out to take away from me what was mine. It was okay to take what I felt belonged to me and to protect it at all cost. I was eighteen when I went into the military and while in there I came to believe that even the majority was willing to fight and to die for what they believed was theirs. I took all this information into an alcoholic and drugged mind that had already twisted the world around me to fit into my selfish and self-centered way of thinking. The world became mine for the taking.

I lived with those warped ideas for several years before it dawned on me that my selfishness had lead to my total disregard for the feelings of the people around me. No one wanted anything to do with me. The importance of managing my selfish outlook on life became the biggest issue I needed to deal with when I realized that in a world full of people I was all alone. The drugs had been put aside several years ago but the alcohol had become more important to me than people in my life and I came to realize just how selfish I really was. Five years ago I decided I needed to make some major changes in the way I lived.

 When I quit relying on substances in order to avoid life’s situations I quickly saw where my selfishness had created major problems in my relationships with people. I was so self centered I had convinced myself that I did not even need other people. The process I choose to change my life was contained in the twelve steps of a spiritual recovery program that was designed to help people such as myself. The first thing I had to do was to admit that I even had a problem. I had developed numerous problems in my life by this time so it was not very hard for me to see and understand the futility of my self-centered life style.

They say that God looks out for fools and drunks and it did not take me long to realize that it was God’s grace that had allowed me to stumble through a life that was so destructive. My self-esteem had arrived at an all time low because I had allowed my selfishness to alienate me from everyone I had come into contact with. The first thing I had to do to improve my outlook on life was to learn to have a caring spirit. When it came to dealing with other people I had issues with things such as how to carry on a meaningful conversation. After living for well over forty years as a self-centered and uncaring individual that was no easy task. I work on my attitude on a daily basis through prayer, meditation, and action.

I have been able to increase the overall quality of my life by learning how to give of myself to other people. When I began this journey I did not even realize that I had anything to offer to anyone. Through the guidance of a caring sponsor and the moral support of a good mentor I was able to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship allowed me to have the confidence to start to trust the person I had begun the journey with. As I developed a trusting and caring relationship with my sponsor he was able to reveal more things to me about how to live a life with purpose.

When I get up today the first order of business for me is to pray, meditate, and read daily devotions. When I have an overall sense of peace about myself I am better equipped to face the people I encounter throughout my day. I like to take a daily inventory at night in order to reflect on how well I did during the day. If I have done anything that I feel was detrimental to my overall well being I make a mental note of it so I can address it the next day.

When I deal with people in a personal or professional capacity today I strive to be honest. This has been a challenge for me because of the lifestyle I lived for so many years. I still want to put my own personal interest ahead of the good of the community even though I know that it is not always the healthiest thing to do. My carnal nature will always tell me that I am the most important person in the world even though I know today that I need other people to live a meaningful life. It is fortunate for me that in the program I am in they stress that we are supposed to focus on progress and not perfection.       

 A large part of my morning prayer is focused on asking for forgiveness for the things in my program that I feel I have failed at. I also have made a habit of praying for other people and this helps me to be less selfish and self-centered. The defining factor in my progress to improve my life is my desire to reach out and help other people who have succumbed to the same false beliefs that I so willingly embraced for so many years.

It has been a rewarding journey so far and I get excited when I anticipate the possibilities that my new lifestyle opens up for me. Today as a result of developing and working towards improving a caring and giving attitude I have been able to develop several rewarding relationships. As I journey further down the road of recovery I know that the steps I am taking are increasing my overall quality of life. Today instead of begrudgingly plowing through life and running over the people I encounter I am able to look forward to having meaningful and rewarding relationships.

I am pround of my buddy and am glad to report that this stuff still works, one day at a time!

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

The past two Octobers I participated in the Baltimore Running Festival.  Both years I did the half-marathon (13.1 miles) event.  I didn’t train either year, the first because I had an injury and the second year because I didn’t consider it a priority in my schedule (and I didn’t figure I needed to – because all I intended to do was finish).

The first year, my hamstrings got so tight on mile 11 that I had to walk for a while and finished the final 2 miles alternately running and walking.  Last year, I decided that I could run smarter and figured my legs wouldn’t fall off if I kept at it slowly.  I finished without having to walk, but both legs were painfully tight long before the finish line.  I announced in my blog (10/13/09) that I was done with just participating and staggering across the finish line!  I was either going to train or stay home and watch the whole thing on television this year. 

Then somebody said why don’t you just do the 5k (3.1 miles) with some of the guys.  That wouldn’t be too taxing, I could hang with a bunch of them and still be part of the whole special event.  I liked that idea and mulled it over the past 10 months.  But I had made it pretty clear, I was not interested in running the half – and nobody even asked or tried to talk me into it this year!

Then I started to feel a little bit left out.  Over 100 of the men in our Spiritual Recovery Program will be manning different stations during the races – in fact, pretty much everybody from the Mission is going to be there.  I didn’t actually know anybody who was going to run the 5k and the big event here at our place is still the half marathon. 

You know...I can’t really remember just how painful my hamstrings got last year.  And I have been thinking about last year’s run – I felt so good early in the race last year that I took off up a hill in mile 3 and I am pretty sure that helped contribute to my later hammy problems.  If I just took it easy going up that hill next time, I might not tighten up like that again.  

Well…this last week, I signed up to participate in the half marathon again.  I just couldn’t help myself.  I don’t have a chemical addiction background, but it is pretty clear that I do have issues!  So see you at the Baltimore Running Festival.

Sincerely needing serious help,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Every week at our Friday afternoon chapel service we bring new guys into our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program. Because we bring guys in every week, we graduate a couple each week one year later. While we average tover two graduates per week annually, in March of 2009 we graduated 7 guys during the same week for the first time ever. Last week it happened again – 7 men graduated from our Spiritual Recovery Program in the same week.

I don’t think such an event happens by accident. Guys who come into our Program together tend to develop a special bond pretty quickly. They help each other and look out for each other as they all get adjusted to their new surroundings at the same time. 

Admittedly some guys are more verbal and open than others, and there are guys who are just natural introverts and even loners. But most are willing to open up a little bit more and help the next guy.  And when they do, good things happen.

Every single guy who graduates is very meaningful around here. Even when a guy leaves early and doesn’t graduate but stays clean - we don’t get to count him as a graduate - but he is accomplishing what we hoped he would and we consider him one of our success stories, too. But 7 graduates in one week is pretty special. Now I want 8!

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Our newly renovated 1029 E. Baltimore Street building is full of wonderful space, from the new Overnight Guest Services dorm on the lower level to the rooftop observation deck. On the fourth floor, across from our new and incredibly state of the art library, is our new art room.

Over the past 3 years, Carole McQuay has been leading art therapy groups in any space we could make available to her. She started with groups meeting in “the Bank,” which literally was a bank at the end of our block (technically 1039 E. Baltimore Street, but who’s counting) that the Mission purchased and turned into our main classroom. Then Carole moved her group into the new cafeteria of our renovated 1023 E. Baltimore Street building. Today she is settled in her own room filled with really nicely done artwork by the men of Helping Up Mission.

Like the athletic activities, choir and band here, art therapy is another activities where men are able to reconnect with past interests – or sometimes develop new interests or skills which they had no idea they possessed.  It really is therapeutic, and our guys have created some really great stuff. You can see their work displayed in our main lobby at 1029 E. Baltimore Street.

Thanks Carole and everybody who helps – art therapy really works.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Yesterday, Program Director Tom Bond sent out this note to the Helping Up Mission staff and family:

It is with great personal sadness that I announce Kenneth “Doc” Barbour, a beloved graduate intern, has gone home to his Creator. Doc was discovered - laying peacefully in his bed - by his roommate in the House of Freedom.

It appears from the firsthand evidence that Doc passed in the night of July 4th, presumably from natural causes, while in his sleep. The Medical Examiner will conduct a full assessment to determine the precise cause of death……but it does not appear that he suffered.

Doc worked tirelessly in the Innovative Learning Center assisting other men with their academic studies, and had recently taken on the role of the Vocational Development Coordinator, helping guys find and prepare for employment opportunities.

We were all extremely fond of Doc and appreciated his kind and giving heart, and we will miss him and grieve his departure from our world.

However……. Doc was a man of deep faith and was very comfortable with his relationship with Jesus. No doubt he is finally resting…… pain and worry free……..in the afterworld.

The Amish are fond of the saying “Our loss is Heaven’s gain”. I think that is very appropriate…………..

      Tom

I have been trying to put into words my sentiments about Doc for this blog. What Tom wrote says it all for me. We will miss Doc, but he is just fine now and we wouldn’t think of bringing him back to this world…no more pain, and he is probably in Heaven playing his music with the angels right now. 

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

This week the Baltimore Business Journal published its annual June 2010 Giving Guide. Called a “advertorial publication,” it features non-profit organizations which provide support services in the Baltimore area for those who need help. Quoting BBJ publisher John Dinkel, it offers direct insight on what these non-profits are doing to help our communities and how readers can help them accomplish their goal – whether donating time or financial resources. 

The Baltimore Business Journal, along with Bank of America, helps underwrites the cost of production for the Giving Guide to give local nonprofits and supporting companies the chance to tell their stories. This year’s guide has Helping Up Mission as one of the featured organizations. Our page (32) was sponsored by Susquehanna Bank and explains our History, Goals, Giving Opportunities and Volunteer Opportunities. 

Helping Up Mission is just one of the many organizations who are doing important work in this city. Our efforts are successful because of the thousands of donors and volunteers who stand with us in serving our community. We are very grateful for their ongoing commitment to help us do our part in transforming the lives of broken men and building a better Baltimore.  

The Giving Guide will hopefully help us develop a new network of friends in the region. I can only hope they are as faithful and caring as the many folks who supported us this past year.  Thank you Helping Up Mission family.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Last Thanksgiving I wrote about Bryan who had come to our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program by way of my Tuesday night 12 Step group in New Market, Maryland.  His mother had been attending our group – I think mostly because of her concerns over Bryan’s addiction issues.  It is a great story and you might be encouraged by it (see my 11/26/09 blog).  On Thanksgiving Bryan’s was finishing his fifth month in our Program. 

Much has happened in Bryan’s recovery since Thanksgiving.  He was eligible to go to work just two weeks after Thanksgiving and, because he had a family to support, he felt the need to do so.  But things just did not open up for him and, instead of trying to make something happen, he decided it was just not the right time.  Bryan continued to do the things he knew he was supposed to do and left the right job and the right timing to God.  In the process, he contacted his old job and to make amends for leaving them very inappropriately in his addiction. 

At eight months into the Program, his old job actually communicated back with him.  After continuing to hear what was happening in his life (and already knowing what a good worker he had been when he was sober), they offered him the opportunity to work for them part time.

Last Friday, Bryan was one of five men who completed his 12 months in our Program.  Today, he starts back full-time with that same company.  I am so proud of him and happy for his family.  Of course, the same of true the other four graduates also.  It is wonderful being here and seeing men grow in their recovery, graduate from this Program and then move into the next phase.  But we all know how it works – always and only just one day at a time.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Eighty percent of the men in our Spiritual Recovery Program have spent time incarcerated, averaging over 2 years each man.  They all know how lonely and difficult those times are for guys who are there.  So we write letters to men whom we know are locked up and we pray from them daily.  Since we all have a lot for which to be thankful, it is just a small thing we can do to “pass it on” to someone less fortunate than we are. 

So we were pretty surprised to see a couple of letters recently, ourselves.  First, was an envelope containing only a $20 check.  Addressed to me, it came from the prison system in Jessup, Maryland!  Helping Up Mission received a check from men locked up in prison!  It was a very meaningful and humbling thought that those guys in lock up were thinking about us and shared with us some of the little bit of nothing which they had.  While a number of our men have been locked up there, no one has any idea about who might have sent it.   

Then a couple of weeks later, we received a check from the prison ministry at the Roxbury Correctional Institution in Hagerstown Maryland.  This check, for $113.10, had a list of about 15 names attached.  Again, they were thinking about – and I am sure praying for – us.  We looked over the attached list of names but didn’t know any of them either. 

I don’t think I would have been any more moved if an angel had dropped these check off, himself (well, that may be a bit of an exaggeration – but you know what I mean).  The Bible says we should remember them who are incarcerated (Hebrews 13:3), and we do.  But it is a really humbling thing to realize that they are remembering us, too.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

I love my job at Helping Up Mission and I really feel like we are doing something special here. One of the reasons I feel that way is because of the love and support offered by others for the men in our Spiritual Recovery Program.     

Recently, a lady in my church contacted a bunch of her friends and said she was going to lose weight for Helping Up Mission. Needless to say, that caught my attention. She went on to say that a small informal group of ladies all decided they needed to lose some weight and decided on an interesting strategy. They would hold each other accountable for their ongoing efforts and they would each commit themselves to lose weight for a charity that was important to them. 

Marilyn said her charity was going to be Helping Up Mission. Just a few weeks before, she and her husband, along with concerned friends, had brought a neighbor struggling with alcohol addiction to the Mission. He has done well here and she felt this was something concrete she could do on his behalf. My wife signed us up for $2 a pound! I hope she does real well – for a whole bunch of reasons. But I am also humbled that folks from my neighborhood felt good about bringing one of their friends here and that she wanted to do what she could to help.

While I think we have a wonderful staff and we work with a great group of guys, every day I am really touched by all the people who invest of their time and resources to help us help men find hope, answers and empowerment in Jesus Christ. Thanks to all you friends of Helping Up Mission who have invested in what we do.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

The biggest reason I enjoy my duties at Helping Up Mission is the guys whom I serve. The men in our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program average 39 years of age, 19 years of active addiction and 3 years of incarceration. They come here to begin working on their recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. Most guys quickly embrace the family atmosphere we try to foster here. Our house is now their house and they have certain responsibilities to keep their house nice. So, one of the first things that happens to them once they join our Program is that they are assigned a work therapy assignment. Almost every aspect of the Mission is carried on daily by Program members. Under staff supervision, they run food service, environmental services, the laundry, maintenance, security, transportation, our Innovative Learning Center and the Program Office. They are also responsible for the supervision of our Overnight Guest Services which provides nightly food, clothing and shelter for up to 50 homeless men, every night of the year. 

While every man does not exactly act like a diamond in the rough, many are very conscientious about their responsibilities to God and the house. This became particularly evident to me again recently, as we opened our brand new Overnight Guest Services dorm on the lowest level of our renovated 1029 East Baltimore Street building. In recent days, Louis had been a frequent guest of our Overnight program. He is in a wheelchair and our men have come to know and appreciate him. 

But the entrance to our Overnight Guest Services dorm is down a flight of stairs that would be very difficult to navigate Louis down in the evening and up again in the morning. Our men who oversee this program were very concerned that Louis would not be able to access our building so they interceded with our staff on his behalf. We built this new building to care for the men we serve and they wanted to be sure Louis was not left out. 

Of course, the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore and the Helping Up Mission Board of Directors were also concerned about Louis (and others!), so they legally and physically tied our two adjacent building (1023 and 1029 East Baltimore Street) together. Louis is supposed to get on the elevator located in 1023 and then join everybody else in the 1029 dorm. 

I am glad we can still take care of Louis, but I am just as happy about the love and care the men in our Spiritual Recovery Program have for those whom they have been called to serve. This is a great place to be – for Louis and me.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

While I am now home from my archaeological excavation in Israel, I still have a little archaeology on my mind. I have to admit that it is part of who I am and what God has called me to do in my life and ministry. It is also part of my work here at Helping Up Mission – it actually gives me some street cred (credentials!) with the guys.   They have all seen the Indiana Jones movies and are interested in the results of archaeological research, especially as it relates to the Bible. 

Like many of us, they are interested to know if archaeology can prove the Bible. Yet while I am able share with them some of the latest evidence, my message to them is that archaeology really doesn’t prove the Bible. Instead, archaeological evidence demonstrates the historical reliability of the Scriptures. What archaeologists find in the ground so often relates to what we read in the Bible. So, archaeology shows us that we can trust the Bible for the past (history). 

Because many of us do trust the Bible for the past, we are also willing to trust the Bible for the future (eternity). In my first year of college, I bought in to the fact that the Bible was accurate about history, so it made sense to me to trust it for eternal life, as well. I hope you have come to the place in your faith walk to be able to accept the Bible for both, too. Yet, there is more. If we can trust the Bible for the past (history) and for the future (eternity), we should also be able to trust it for the present – one day at a time. 

To be honest, it is one thing to trust the Bible intellectually for history. It is another thing to be willing to trust the Bible for eternity. Yet many of us who do trust it for both, are honestly struggling with trusting it for the present – just for today. We believe the historical truths of Scripture and we believe we are going to go to Heaven when we die, but we just can’t see how this particular thing going on in my life right now is going to work out satisfactorily. Yet, the foundation which archaeology offers us – trusting the Bible for the past (history) – which should be able to lead us to trusting the Bible for the future (eternity) can also empower us to trust it for the present – learning how to life one day at a time.

From my vantage point, archaeology can start someone on a wonderful lifelong, yeah, even eternal journey. Archaeology helps us trust the Bible for the past and that should help us trust it for the future. And if we can trust it for the past (history) and the future (eternity), we should be able to trust it for the present – learning how to live one day at a time. It’s been working pretty well for me over the past 20 years, I invite you to check it out for yourself.   

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

I have just finished 2 weeks of excavation in Israel. I am the administrative director of the Ai Expedition at Khirbet el-Maqatir and over the past 2 weeks we had some 50 people join us in digging an ancient site 10 miles north of Jerusalem, in the West Bank. 

I know there has been quite a bit of turmoil in this region over the past week and the US State Department did send out a warning to Americans in Israel to be on alert for protests and demonstrations. But we did not have any problems or even see anything traveling to and from the West Bank, as well as spending about 8 hours working there on site daily. Just to keep things in perspective, I have always said that I might be safer over here than I am working in East Baltimore every day!

With the dig now history (although I still have some data to record and reports to write!), I just want to make a few observations. I guess the most significant insight I received this trip came from the many people I met here, from around the world, who have quietly been doing the particular ministry God has called them to do. They are generally not flashy nor will they probably ever garner any great attention – they are simply committed to serving the people whom God has called them to serve, and they are passionate about their calling. As we would talk, I have to say that it felt really good being involved in the ministry to which God has called me at Helping Up Mission – about which I, too, am passionate.

Secondly, I was struck by the number of twenty-and-thirty-somethings that I met and who are making serious commitments in their spiritual walk and service – both here in Israel and around the world. As a believer, I couldn't help but feel like I was part of a massive worldwide movement ministering to the real needs of people and calling them into the same kind of personal relationship with Jesus that has changed our own lives.

Finally, I found lots of folks pleased and excited to hear about what we are doing at Helping Up Mission. They understand the need and believe in the same hope, answers and empowerment for men struggling with addiction that we do. They also would constantly ask what we are doing for the    women(!) and I was very pleased to tell them about our organizational commitment to offer the same kind of ministry for women struggling with addiction. 

It has been a rewarding past two weeks, and I am grateful for the opportunity to come and do this. Once again my own understanding on the Bible and confidence in its historic reliability and message has been strengthened. But I will remind you that archaeology doesn’t prove the Bible, it only demonstrates that we can trust it as historically reliable. The real proof that the Bible is God’s Word is the difference it makes in a person’s life - like what his happening to men at Helping Up Mission every day. It is time to get back home and do what I do in downtown Baltimore. I really do love my job!

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

PS  If you want to know more about the site where we are digging, take a look at our website - www.biblearchaeology.org.

I am writing this blog from moshav Yad Hashmonah, 8 miles west of Jerusalem in Israel.  It is the middle weekend of our two week excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir, 10 miles north of Jerusalem. I dug here throughout the 90’s and we reopened the dig again last year (see my blog from 6/18/09). I dug the area of the city gate to bedrock last year and am working on the city’s west wall this year. 

Flying in last weekend and digging all week, I was glad to have two days off. While we are so close to Jerusalem, I have chosen to stay here at our dig headquarters doing dig paperwork and Helping Up Mission homework. Yesterday (Saturday) I attended a congregation of Jewish believers in Jesus at the moshav and the speaker shared from the Proverbs. After the service was over, I got a real sense that the Lord wanted me to go take some time in the book and prepare some new things for back home at Helping Up Mission. 

I admit, I was a little surprised that I did not jump in one of the cars that went to Jerusalem either day, but I have been thoroughly blessed by my study here. I always say in class that our spiritual address (in Christ) is always more important than our physical address (Yad Hashmonah or Jerusalem, Israel or America). I learned the concept from Philippians 1:1 (where Paul address both addresses for the Philippians) I am finding that to be true for me here right now. 

The site we are digging is called today Khirbet el-Maqatir (Arabic) but we think it was the city of Ai in the Bible (Joshua 7-8), the second city Joshua captured after crossing the Jordan River. Just a short note about what we are finding - weaponry (a bunch of sling stones, a bronze spearpoint and a stone arrowhead) and lots of evidence of burning all around the city gate area. For the reason we are here, this is all good stuff. Stay tuned and I will keep you posted. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

PS   You can keep up with the research and updates at our website www.Biblearchaeology.org.   

HUM’s ministry promise to Baltimore and beyond is our commitment to Transforming Broken Men and Building a Better Baltimore.  While we have been in ministry since 1885, and focusing on homeless men in Baltimore since the mid-1900’s, it wasn’t until the 1990’s that we began our 12 month residential Spiritual Recovery Program.  The Board of Directors recognized that the best way to help homeless men in this city was to help them address the addiction issues with which they struggled in a long-term setting.

While we stand in constant need of improvement in many areas, one of the things we do best around here is offer a man hope, answers and empowerment to be able to change.  Over the long haul those changes lead to true transformation.  Again, our Board of Directors recognized the value of providing attractive and inviting facilities in which our men will live, work, study and grow in their spiritual recovery process.  So, at the beginning of the new millennium they made the commitment to transform the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street in order to transform these broken men.  The expansion and transformation of our campus is almost as supernatural as the change in the lives of the men who live here.




The Mission’s strategic plan then involved utilizing the skills and spiritual commitment of graduates of this Program to make a difference in the lives of the men who follow them.  Today half of the entire Mission staff are graduates and they are supported by an equal number of graduate interns.  Together graduate staff, graduate interns, past alumni, the new graduates each week and even the undergraduates of our Spiritual Recovery Program are committed to building a better Baltimore in which we will all be proud to raise our families. 

We do understand that such a change can only happen from the ground up, a grassroots approach.  So, we are committed to having it start with us and then passing it on to anybody who else who is looking for hope, answers and empowerment. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

On Sunday, we celebrated the 2010 graduation class of over 100 men from Helping Up Mission’s Spiritual Recovery Program.  Men join our Program every week and graduate 52 weeks later - typically 2 men completing each week of the year.  In our Friday chapel service, on his one year anniversary, he receives a certificate for finishing the final phase of our Program. 

Then, every year we have a formal graduation ceremony to celebrate all who completed their 12 months during the last year.  As in previous years, this year’s celebration was also held at Martin’s West with over 1,400 people in attendance.  Graduates, their families and friends, alumni and the extended Helping Up Mission family all joined together to recognize each man and the spiritual journey on which he has embarked. 

The banquet is also a time for Helping Up Mission to say thank you to all those who have supported us over the past year.  Graduates thank their family and friends, while the Mission thanks all those who supported our work as a whole.  Helping Up Mission has always been funded by the support of good people all over the Baltimore area, without whose help we would not be in existence today.  At our graduation banquet we show them what their investment produced in the lives of men and their families and we say thanks. 

And just for the record, the band, choir, ushers, greeters and table attendants at the banquet are composed of our underclassmen.  We hope our friends who join us for this year’s graduation were so pleased by what they saw in both our graduates and undergraduates that they want to continue being involved in ongoing support for the next year! 

The theme of our 2010 Graduation Banquet was Transforming Broken Men, Building a Better Baltimore.  Here at Helping Up Mission we offer men hope, answers and empowerment by introducing them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  It has worked for us and we are just passing it along to the next guy!  Then, as transformed men together, we are committed to building a better Baltimore in which we can all live, work, worship and raise our families.

This year’s graduation was a wonderful success and was particularly meaningful because 2010 is our 125^th year of operation.  We are so proud of our 2010 graduates and we are thrilled that their day was such an historic one.  Thinking about our history, it was also thrilling to see our alumni from the past two decades continue in their own spiritual recovery walk. 

Finally, as the Spiritual Life Director of Helping Up Mission and the guy is spends more time with our men in class than anyone else, I want to say thank you to the wonderful people of greater Baltimore who continue to invest in the lives of broken men looking for transformation. Together, we really can build a better Baltimore. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Once I saw for myself the Biblical basis of the 12 Steps (the Biblical/Christian origin of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous has been well documented over the years), I understood why they worked so well.  It also explained why so many other groups have found the 12 Steps helpful.  So anytime a bunch of people get together and realize they all have the same problem – they just start a new group and adapt the 12 Steps to fit their particular issue.  It doesn’t matter what your problem is, the 12 Steps are Biblical principles which can empower you over your issue – chemicals, addictions or compulsive behaviors.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Every week here at Helping Up Mission, we focus on a character quality which can help us in both our recovery and our spiritual walk. The focus of the 12 Steps is not chemicals, addictions or compulsive disorders – but character. Character beats chemicals every time. If you have character, you don’t need chemicals - and if you have chemicals, you are not interested in character. 

So each week we address a new character quality that we can work on and which can empower us. Our list of Character Qualities is 26 long, covering half a year. Since most men in our Program go to work or school at 6 months, everyone is here to go through the entire list before they take that next step in their program.

I have been pleasantly surprised how seriously guys have taken to these character qualities over the years. Every Friday we have an afternoon chapel service where we recognize men who move from one phase to another of our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program. Men who have completed all 365 days are invited to speak to the assembled audience, including staff, other graduates, underclassmen, family and friends. When Will graduated three months ago, his graduation speech was carefully crafted around these 26 character qualities. It was very clever, but I was really excited to see how much they meant to his recovery and spiritual walk. 

Two weeks ago, Reggie (who we just recognized in chapel yesterday for earning his high school diploma!) showed my his cell phone. Each week he types in that week’s character quality and then refers back to it every day during that week. Another clever idea and it showed me that he really understands the value of these character qualities in his life. 

If the whole idea of these character qualities is appealing to you, you can find our list – monthly – on the website: from the Homepage, chose Programs/Services, then click on Character Qualities on the left-hand side of that page. This week’s Character Quality has been Security – structuring my life around what is eternal and cannot be taken away or destroyed. Interestingly (at least to me!), the last time I blogged about our Character Qualities, was Election Day (11/4/08) and the character quality was Security. Not sure if that is supposed to be some sort of message or not, but we would all do well to keep our lives structured around things that are eternal and cannot be taken away or destroyed.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Friday, April 30, 2010, was the first chapel service in our renovated 1029 East Baltimore Street building. This was the original Helping Up Mission building on the block, purchased in 1955 for use as a homeless shelter for men in the city. On Friday, February 27, 2009 we had our last chapel service in that building (see my blogs of 2/25/09 and 3/2/09). Then, last April – 53 weeks ago – we began demolition of that building between two of our other buildings on the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street. 

We received our Use and Occupancy permit a week ago and began to move some offices into the new building, but had not been ready with all the equipment to use the chapel (and just between you and me, we still need to work on some of that equipment a bit more). But Friday was our first chapel in the renovated 1029 East Baltimore Street building. While none of our present undergraduate clients were here for the final service and would not be able to quite appreciate the moment, this was a special time for those of us who knew the old building.    

Steve Gudeman, our Director of Operations, oversaw the whole project - from conception to design to demolition to reconstruction to occupancy. So it was only fitting that he opened with prayer and shared a few words (and photographs) about the transformation from the old to the new. Members of the Helping Up Mission band sang some old familiar songs with their own new lyrics and Helping Up Mission Executive Director, Bob Gehman, shared about the old days and the transformation that has taken place. What was happening in the hearts of the men sitting in the new chairs in this new air-conditioned (hallelujah!) chapel is actually mirroring what has happened to this building. 

This was not the building dedication for the renovation of our original building here on this block. Once we get everything moved in (I have not moved my office yet!) and have all systems go, we will dedicate this new building to the glory of God and transforming broken men to build a better Baltimore. We will keep you posted.  Happy 125^th anniversary Helping Up Mission!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Thursday and Friday April 29-30, 2010, were Dental Access Days at Helping Up Mission (you can read about them last year in my 7/31/09 blog) . This even is a major effort by dental professionals and others to provide dental care for homeless, low-income or uninsured folks in the state of Maryland. Of the 150 people who received free dental services at the University of Maryland Dental School in downtown Baltimore, over 100 of them were clients of Helping Up Mission!

Of course, an event like this does not happen in a vacuum and Dr. Mary Lashley and Dr. Nancy Ward were instrumental in creating this event and making it work. They recruited and coordinated over 150 volunteers to make the day’s activities happen. Both Dr. Ward and Dr. Ed Grace of the Dental School conducted preliminary dental screenings on our campus a couple of weeks ago in preparation of Dental Access Days and Dr Ward took hundreds of x-rays of our guys at her own private office to ensure immediate treatment upon arrival. Dr. Grace made his office available all day, both days, to facilitate the project. There is no doubt that our men received over $100,000 worth of dental care over this two day period.

Dr. Lashley (known as “Dr. Mary” around here) pointed out that every man at Helping Up Mission who desired dental care at this time was accommodated. She also noted the reason that we comprised over two-thirds of those served was our own HUM staff member Keith Daye. Keith coordinated scheduling, transportation and meals for over 100 men, insuring that the men who participated arrived on time and that all their needs were addressed throughout the two day period.  Many of these men were in the dental chair for 4 to 6 hours at a time, and had multiple extractions, root canals, fillings, and other restorative dental work.  In addition, she noted that Keith coordinated transportation and scheduling for the men to receive dental screenings and x-rays prior to the event to insure that complete records were available for the dentists upon their arrival and treatment could be carried out promptly and efficiently. 

And if that wasn’t enough (boy, is he going to be hard to live with around here for a while!), when a number of clients scheduled from other organizations failed to appear and dental chairs were sitting empty, Keith got another couple dozen of our guys down there to fill the slots. Dr. Ward was quoted as saying that the reason the other organizations did not meet expectations is that they didn’t have Rev. Keith Daye on their team! Way to go, Keith, and thanks from all the guys.

And on behalf of everybody at Helping Up Mission, I say thanks to all those who did their part to make these two days special. But I also want to say thank you to all those people who do things down here all the time – but never get talked about in my blog even once (but I know that you know that Jesus knows, and I know that you know that’s enough!).


 

One of the truly great joys of my job is to meet the wonderful folks who do so many great things for the men of Helping Up Mission every day. Thanks to all of you for all you do – and keep smiling!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I am guilty of not keeping up with my blogs!  I have no excuses.  But I do have some great news!  This weekend we heard that we have received the Use and Occupancy Permit for our newly-renovated original 1029 East Baltimore Street building.  It looks just wonderful  and we can't wait to move in.  I hope you will come down and see it for yourself.

The building was designed and constructed (and the money was raised!) to truly honor the Lord.  It was also built to show homeless men in our community struggling with drug and alcohol addiction that our extended Helping Up Mission family really does care about them. You have helped us create a campus right here in downtown Baltimore where a man can connect to God and experience the hope, answers and empowerment that only He provides. 

To all of you who have supported this project directly or the general work of Helping Up Mission over the years - thank you so much.  I hope you will come down and see it and rejoice with us.  I also hope you will come and celebrate with us at our 2010 Graduation Banquet on May 16 at Martin's West.

I am proud to be part of Helping Up Mission.  I am so grateful for all the wonderful folks who have stood with us over the years.  To God be the Glory!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I just left a meeting here at the Mission where I shared a little about my archaeological work in the Middle East. People can tell I am passionate about all that. But I finished by pointing out that the really good stuff is not what I dig up over there, but what happens right here on the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street. I admit I have special feelings about this one (and you will see why), but it has been 8 years now for Kevin and he knows God is still faithful.

My life hit bottom the summer of my 40^th year and I entered a hospital in Montgomery County for detox. During my brief stay at the hospital, I met a nurse named Gayle. I told her I was broken down with no money, no insurance and virtually no outside support. She suggested I consider a one year spiritual recovery program at the Helping Up Mission in Baltimore. I thought about it and later agreed. After discharge from the hospital, late in August, I came to Baltimore. 

Upon arriving at the Mission, I had to sleep on the chapel floor for a few days until I got into the program. That first night I couldn’t get any sleep. I remember opening a Bible I found and reading some passages by the glow of the street lights outside. All I could think of is what would happen to me.

The next day while waiting in the chapel, I witnessed several men coming and going who were smiling and energetic. They were friendly and had direction. They were at peace. I sensed they had a guiding force. When I asked a gentleman what it was about the men, he said, “Brother, it’s all God!” This was the first time in my life I started to believe there was a God and he could possibly help me. 

Once I got into the program, I met Pastor Gary who it turns out is Gayle’s husband (the nurse at Montgomery General). Now that’s God! Pastor Gary introduced me to the Bible and the notion of having a personal relationship with God. I remember in his class, we were reading the Proverb for that corresponding day. One man was talking about how God instills in us character and integrity and how we have a responsibility to submit to him. I felt almost immediately upon my entrance into the program that maybe God was the answer and that I wanted to turn my life over to God. At a chapel service later on that day, I asked God to come into my heart. 

During my stay at the Mission, I worked in the Development Office, coordinating volunteer services, speaking in public and working with staff to administer the program. As my year progressed, I really felt a change coming over me. God was molding me and shaping me! I had a lot of ups and downs—particularly dealing with the day to day issues of life without drugs and alcohol. It wasn’t easy that year but with the help of HUM I was able to address my legal problems, to get into counseling and on medication for my depression and anxiety and fulfill my needs for food, shelter and community.

As I progressed into the Life Prep phase of recovery and at age 43, I began my search for a job. I found a job as Assistant Director of Development raising money for a local non-profit child abuse prevention agency. I worked there for a year and eventually moved out of the Mission in 2004 (a year after I graduated) to live with friends I met at the Mission when their church came to volunteer, Doug and Missy. They explained I could live at their house for a year as a part of a transition back in to the community. 

Unfortunately my health took a turn for the worst in 2005 and over the next four years, I had 8 surgeries, 2 ICU stays, almost died twice, was diagnosed with cancer and had one nursing home stay. While I was seriously ill, I started to drift away from my faith and my 12-step meetings because I was depressed, fatigued and in a lot of physical pain. But God did not leave me. He’s continued to work on me and prepare me for something better. I did finally get back on track and began attending meetings, re-cultivated my relationship with my sponsor and most importantly with God. God has continually watched over me—even when I almost died. 

I believe addiction is a day to day struggle. If I do not maintain my spiritual connection, I could throw away all of my clean time. Today, I have a choice not to use. This gives me freedom. Prior to getting clean, I didn’t have a choice, I was a slave to alcohol and drugs. The keys to my sobriety have been to continually working on my relationship with God. 

I will pick up Kevin’s story here. I know how he works his spiritual recovery. It has been 8 years and he treats his Bible and prayer as daily sustenance and support. Kevin keeps in regular contact with his spiritual accountability partners, Doug and Missy, as well as his 12 Step sponsor. He makes church and 12 Step meetings  a priority in his week. Kevin says he works at continuing to “develop and broaden my support network and take care of my day-to- day physical and emotional needs to avoid hunger, anger, loneliness and to get rest.” Apparently it is working! 

Through all his tough times, Kevin found that supernatural Source who promised to “I will never leave you or forsake you.”   Recently he came back here to tell his story to my classes. I am so happy for Kevin and proud of him – and I know God has some really cool things in story for him still. I really do love my job.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Here at Helping Up Mission, we know the importance of staying connected to others.  Of course, in doing so, we need to be honest with ourselves and the others with whom we are connecting.  Richard felt the need to give this letter to another guy but wanted his sponsor to look it over first.  He couldn't get in touch with his sponsor, so he decided to ask me.  I read it and thougth he better send it.  I also thought you might like to read it, too.  Richard gave me permission.

Dear Terrance,
Good morning and God bless you. I have only known you for a short while but after the way you spoke at the meeting last night, and the conversation we had following the meeting, I feel compelled to write this short note.

God has so much for you and that does not always mean that we take the first thing that comes in our recovery. Recovery is a process and it should be the most important thing in our lives. We can develop a program, and a support group, and live out our lives in peace and serenity if we have the capacity and perseverance to live within the parameters of the network we develop.

The process takes time; in the least, for most of us, two to three years. We need to build relationships and put recovery first, before anything else and there are good reasons we do this. People like you and me who have a shattered and broken past and a long history of running from it really have to develop this program over a period of time. It takes time and hard work to be clean, sober, and successful so that we develop what we need to continue the journey.

Eleven months is, in most cases, not nearly enough time. In your case, with the breakdown you talk about having a month ago and all of the challenges you are facing with your wife’s cancer it scares me to hear you say that you are ready to take this step out at this time in your life.

It’s only been a month since you drank and I feel deeply that you are minimizing that incident. Even without considering that, you had a short ten months sober before your breakdown. That combined with the fact you have not been working closely with your sponsor or your therapist lately creates a storm of red flags in my opinion.

Satan has a way of tempting us in ways that are almost too good to be realistic and they generally are unrealistic. Short term gratification seldom is healthy for people like us who have suffered so much in the grips of our self generated circumstances. We must, first and foremost, take charge of our recovery. Only after we have learned a healthy way to live can we step out and take on the challenges we face. Please don’t undermine the importance of putting your recovery first.

You will be no worldly good to anyone, especially yourself, if you are not prepared when you step out. Remember the reality of what got you to this point in your life and be rigorously honest with yourself about the seriousness of the way you interpret God’s will. It very well may not be God’s will but Satan’s work that is urging you to make this decision at this perilous juncture in your life.

You have solicited several people’s advice and we both know what that advice has been. Please consider all of this but most importantly earnestly pray about this and make sure, for the sake of you and your family, that this voice that you say you are hearing is truly God’s voice and not Satan’s. God has always taken care of you and you need to have faith in His ability to continue to do so in the future.
In Christian Love,
Richard

PS  You said yourself that your mind is pretty well made up and I realize how hard, virtually impossible, that makes it for you to listen to other people’s advice but consider this: You did ask and seek out advice, and just maybe that was God speaking to you in this situation. At times we need to take ourselves out of the box and listen to what people are saying. Advice is really worthless to us if we solicit it after already making up our minds. If you asked others because you were searching for someone else to validate your decision, you failed to achieve what you were aiming to get. Everyone I heard speak said the same thing and so am I. Hold on and don’t let go. Give yourself a fighting chance. I really don’t think you are, and I said I feel very strongly about what I am saying. I care a lot about what happens to you because if you don’t make it out there it hurts us all, all of us who work really hard at trying to make changes in our lives. Take care and God Bless, you are in our prayers.

Richard wrote this last week.  Terrance is still here.  One day at a time.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I love my job!  But I sure get frustrated on my job!  I suppose anyone I know who loves their job feels the same (and those who don’t love their job, I am really sorry for you). 

With 400 men spending the night here on the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street, there is always someone who breaks my heart because of some bad choices they make.  Sometimes it really gets to me and I start to wonder if I am really doing any good here – am I really making a difference.  I know Jesus said that giving even a cup of cold water is honored (Mt 10:42), but I sure can get weary in well doing. 

Yet, every time I get down about one guy, I just look around me and can honestly see 10 guys who are really finding hope and answers and experiencing change.  We will have 100 (103 to be precise) graduates walk across the stage at our Samaritan Circle Graduation Banquet on May 16 at Martin’s West.  Not the largest class ever, it still means that 2 men a week come into this program and finish one year later.  Every week at our Friday chapel service, we celebrate these men completing their year and I am always so amazed at how much a man has changed during those 12 months.  It is just hard to stay discouraged too long around here.

Then there are the guys who don’t finish our program, for whatever the reason.  I run into them everywhere.  Two weeks ago I took dinner to my wife, a psych nurse working at a hospital in Montgomery County.  I live in Frederick County and work in Baltimore City, so I don’t expect to hear somebody yelling “Pastor Gary, Pastor Gary” in Montgomery General Hospital.  I was sure, he wasn’t yelling at me. 

Well, he was.  He said he was at Helping Up Mission 4 years ago and had to leave because of a medical situation.  He said he stumbled for just a bit after he left but then found the empowerment to get back up and keep going.  He has been clean these 4 years, is back with his family and a contributing member of society again.  He was so appreciative of the hope, answers and empowerment he received at Helping Up Mission.  While he gave us more credit than we deserve, I will take it!

Last week another guy stopped by class.  He left our Program early, too.  Just wanted me to know that he is doing well – clean, working and with his family.  I still think a guy needs to stay here and finish what he started. But God is definitely working in the lives of men in our Program. Man, I love my job!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

For over two years Don, a manager at Bank of America in Baltimore (I guess I should say Bank of America Merrill Lynch), has been coming once a month to lead a financial education class for the men in our program. He recruited Bill, also of BoA, to come along and help on a couple of occasions and Bill got really excited about supporting the men of Helping Up Mission regroup their lives. Bill recruited Robert (from BoA, too) and now all three come at different times to work on financial issues with our men.

Last month Bill decided that the best way to support our men in addressing their financial issues was to help them find a job. The first and best thing he figured he could do about that was to bring down a group of managers from Bank of America to do some mock interviews with our men to prepare them for real job interviews. He began recruiting. 

So, last Friday, nine managers from Bank of America came to Helping Up Mission spent the morning at Helping Up Mission. They met with some 40 guys to do mock interviews. We got our resumes together and put on our interview clothes and sat down for 30 minutes of interaction. I don’t know if the BoA guys were nervous, but I can sure tell you a lot of our guys were! 

But it all turned out pretty well. Guys came back to tell me thanks and what a meaningful experience it was for them. The Bank of America managers seemed to feel pretty good about the activity, as well. In fact, there was general enthusiasm on their part to do it again in the near future. 

And I have to say that the whole thing was perfectly planned and orchestrated by God, because this week about a dozen of the men who did mock interviews have real interviews lined up with an employer interested in hiring each one. God is so good! 

Sounds to me like Bill was listening to the Almighty. And thanks Don for these years of faithful service. And thanks Bank of America Merrill Lynch managers for investing in the lives of men who need a little help getting started again. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

PS A few weeks ago I asked you to remember Larry in prayer. He is still struggling in the midst of radiation treatments for brain cancer. Larry did the very first one-on-one financial counseling with our guys. Thank you, too, Larry. Be assured that you continue to be in our prayers. 

Last week I was contacted by the IRN USA radio news network to comment on a horde of silver coins recently discovered in Syria.  I found the news reports, did a little research and then gave them a telephone interview.  I decided the whole story relates to all that we do here at Helping Up Mission every day.  See what you think.

A March 2, 2010 press release by the official Syrian news agency, SANA, and a March 4 2010 Associated Press article by Albert Aji (with associated photos) provide information about the discovery of 252 silver coins from the time of Alexander the Great. A man in the Manbej area of northern Syria found them while digging the foundation for a new house two weeks earlier. Youssef Kanjo, head of the excavations department at the Aleppo Department of Archaeology and Museums, confirmed there were 115 silver drachmas and 137 silver tetradrachmas found in a bronze container. At least some of the tetradrachmas depict Alexander the Great. Other coins show the Greek god Zeus sitting on a throne with an eagle perched on his extended arm. Some coins had Greek inscriptions of “King Alexander,” “Alexander,” or “King Philip” (most likely Alexander’s father). For further information on this discovery, see:

http://us.kumo.com/news/search?q=Northern+Syria&FORM=R5FD55

Also the March 4 2010 AP article by Albert Aji (with associated photos) at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/04/AR2010030401944.html 

From these initial reports, we have minimal details of the precise situation in which these coins were found. That is the real value of archaeology – to identify and explain all we can know about what happened at that location in the past, not unlike CSI today. Consequently, we can only speculate about the situation for this horde of252 silver coins. 

The report does indicate the inscriptions “King Alexander” and “King Philip” (presumably his father) on a number of the coins, but it is not clear if they all date only from the days of these two kings. While in America today we are familiar with having the image of famous dead people on our coins, not so in the ancient world. In antiquity, coins were minted with the image and inscription of the current ruler, alive and well. So we are confident those coins were minted during their reigns, yet they may have been in circulation for centuries afterwards before being deposited here. That is where excavation of the site should be able to fill in much of the missing information.   

The press reports also say that these coins were found in a bronze box, although the accompanying AP photos picture a round metal container. This vessel does not appear to be designed for transport, and was probably meant for storage, to be buried or hidden. While there were “banks” in the ancient world, typically located at religious temples, most people would have had little to “deposit” there. The owner of these coins obviously had something to deposit, but seemingly chose a different sort of savings plan. It is reminiscent of the parable Jesus told about the man who gave three servants some of his money to invest for him and one of them just dug a hole and hid it in the ground for safe keeping (Mt 25:18, 25). 

Consequently, we have only minimal information about the circumstances of these particular coins, but we do know there were 115 silver drachmas and 137 silver tetradrachmas. Since one drachma would be the equivalent of an average day’s pay for a typical skilled laborer, this horde represents the equivalent of better than two years of an average family’s annual income. Since most people would seldom make more than they needed week by week, this was an extraordinary amount of money. 

The world’s first coinage seems to have been issued in western Turkey, probably in the last part of the seventh century BC. The oldest coins we know come from the western Turkey kingdom of Lydia and were made of electrum (a natural alloy of gold and silver native to that region). Each one was “struck” by hammering between two inscribes die, creating royal symbols on each side. This method of coin manufacture actually continued worldwide until the 16^th century AD.

Once introduced, the concept of coinage spread quickly, especially with the sixth century BC rise of the Persian Empire. Persian kings developed a standardized coinage system as a very effective propaganda tool with the king’s face, inscription and symbols of royal power struck on both sides each coin. 

At the same time, the numerous Greek city states also began producing their own coins. With Alexander’s conquests in the eastern world, the Greek standard unit of silver coinage, the drachma, was used in major cities throughout his empire. Meaning “handful” (Greek; from the verb “to grab”), the drachma was also the central coin of modern Greece’s monetary system until 2002, when it was replaced by the Euro. The tetradrachma (“four handfuls”) was also widely used very early in the Greek city states (even before Alexander). 

While early on, drachmas were minted at different weights by different Greek city states, eventually a standard was developed from the Athenian coin, weighing a little over four grams of silver. By New Testament times, the silver Roman denarius became the drachma’s equivalent of a day’s wage (see Jesus’ parable about the workers in the vineyard; Mt 20:1).

While the Roman denarius is the most frequently mentioned coin in the New Testament, the Greek drachma is mentioned once. Dr Luke (apparently a Greek, himself, and probably the only Gentile to write a book in the Bible; see Col 4:14) tells the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. 

In the parable of the lost coin (Lu 15:8-10), Jesus suggests that a woman who had ten drachmas and lost one will light a lamp, sweep the house and seek for it until she finds it. She will be so glad to find it, that she will gather her friends to celebrate with her. While she had ten drachmas, she appreciated the value of each one (and who wouldn’t if it was a day’s wage!). 

Jesus’ three parables speak of the intrinsic value of the one – among one hundred sheep; among ten drachmas and between two sons. Using these analogies, He suggests (twice; 15:7, 10) that in heaven there is great rejoicing when just one person turns away from their own path and turns to God’s plan for his life. So, while we don’t know all the details about the silver drachmas found recently in Syria, we can understand something about their worth – and I am talking about something way beyond their value on eBay!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

It is genuinely exciting to see the guys in our Program make important strides forward in their lives. One of those areas involves working toward their high school diplomas. While most of us know about the GED (General Educational Development) program, since 1978, the State of Maryland has also provided another avenue for “mature adults” to earn their high school diploma – called the External Diploma Program (EDP). Recently, Dr. Jeanette sent me this note about one of our guys working on his EDP.

Every once in awhile, something is so nicely written that I want to forward it to your blog.  This little paragraph was written by Roderick, who had been working about three hours a week with Judy for writing tutoring:

I look at being at the Helping Up Mission as a blessing in disguise. I say this because I had been trying to get my life together for a long time now, and I have not been able to do it by myself. Then I had a guy tell me about the Helping Up Mission while I was incarcerated. Since I’ve been here, my life has been changing. I’ve noticed that my thoughts have been more positive, and I no longer participate in negative activities that are going on around me. This is why I say that the Helping Up Mission is a blessing in disguise. On the outside, people do not see that on the inside of the Mission men are changing their lives.

He once said to us, "You guys sure have me doing a lot of writing.  I have never written stuff like this before."

I like how he begins with the Mission being a blessing in disguise and ends the last sentence with that same idea. 

Well, I didn’t notice how his paragraph began and ended with the same idea, but I am glad she is happy about it! But I am very pleased that Dr. J has invested herself here to help our men; that so many folks (like Judy) take the time to tutor men in their work; and that so many guys are finding success in furthering their education here at Helping Up Mission. God is good!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Historical records indicate that the original structure located at what is now 1029 East Baltimore Street was a home built for publisher William Pechin in 1807.  After decades as a private residence, in 1874, it became the Kelso Home for Orphans of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From 1889 to 1897, the building served as the German Branch of the YMCA, with alterations including a new gymnasium (the Mission’s famous hardwood  maple “chapel floor”). Soon after, the building was raised to its present four stories and was known as Philanthropy Hall, a public meeting place. Purchased and refurbished again in 1909, it became the largest Hebrew day school in Baltimore – the Baltimore Talmud Torah – serving, at one time, as many as 1500 students. In the late 1920’s it served a short time as the Baltimore Conservatory of Music and was then renovated with a façade addition in 1930. as the Workmen’s Circle Lyceum (a club promoting socialism and Yiddish culture).  Helping Up Mission bought the property in 1955 and it has housed our programs for over 50 years. 

For many years emergency overnight guests and new members of our Spiritual Recovery Program slept on mattresses on that chapel floor.  It was a very humbling experience for many – finding themselves sleeping on a mattress in the floor of a rescue mission!  But more than one guy has said to me how important that experience was to his recovery and his spiritual life. 

While our present renovation called for the building to be demolished, right down through the basement, the building’s façade was preserved and restored to its 1930 appearance.  In the demolition, many pieces of the hardwood maple chapel floor were saved and, over the past few months, Helping Up Mission graduates and program members have designed and constructed a huge Cross from that old floor.  Soon-to-graduate Mike designed the Cross, while he, Richard and graduate staff Danny cut and fit pieces of the old floor into a 13 x 8 foot Cross. 

Although the building is still a month away from being completely finished, we needed the construction company’s equipment to be able to hang it on the wall.  Last Friday, the Cross was hung on the east wall of the new lobby of 1029 East Baltimore Street.  Some of the staff went in and we had a dedication prayer.

Kevin, our architect’s staff designer, had written something about our Cross.  We found his words to be so appropriate to our sentiments about the chapel floor Cross, that we are going to have it written on the wall next to it. 

“As this golden wood has borne the bodies and souls of your brother before you - so, too, shall the Lord carry you forward on the road to recovery and salvation.”

Helping Up Mission is a place where a guy can go to find hope, answers, change and transformation.  For us, it starts and ends with the Cross.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

One of the groups that meets every week at Helping Up Mission is the Waterboyz. Different Waterboyz meetings happen all over the greater Baltimore/Washington area and are places where men hold each other responsible for spiritual commitments and band together to help someone else.  After the last meeting, Pastor Kevin shared this summary of what happened with me.  

After sharing personal prayer needs, the group took a passage of Scripture and everybody took  turns reading 2 or 3 verses. Then, with pencil and paper, each man did a personal S.O.A.P. effort on the Scripture passage. S.O.A.P. stands for:

S = Scripture.  Each one chooses 1 or 2 verses that seem to “speak” to him; verses that stood out from the rest and address themselves to us and our situation.

O = Observation.  What is it these verses were saying?  Examining the entire context, we think and write down what we think it meanst the principles and teachings involved.

A = Application.  We then began to write down how this verse (or verses) applied to our lives in a particular manner; what is it teaching us now, and how will it affect us during the coming week.

P = Prayer.  We wrote down a brief prayer that reflected our understanding of the  verse and its teachings. 

When finished, we went around the tables sharing with each other our different S.O.A.P.s. 

We concluded with Dave, the leader, giving us all a small piece of paper containing a brief Scripture passage.  We put our name and phone number on the paper and then placed them all in a hat.  As the hat was passed around we took out a paper (making sure it didn’t have our name on it) and promised we would pray for the man whose name was written therein.    As time goes by we will call/speak with the man whose name we have and inquire as to how his life is going, question if there are any issues we need to pray for, and show a genuine Christian concern for his life.  We will also memorize the verse during the week. 

The meeting closed with prayer, after 60 minutes. It’s important to the Waterboyz that these meetings last no more than one hour and they keep their promise. 

The Waterboyz are a significant group of men concerned about the spiritual and emotional problems with men in today’s society.  It is their prayer that God use the Water Boyz as a way of getting men to become more visible in their faith, more responsive to the promptings of God in their lives, and more sensitive to the needs of others in their lives (wives, children, friends, etc.)  It’s also important to them that they not simply become men who sit around doing nothing but reading the Bible together.  Serving others is absolutely crucial to their ministry. 

I know the Waterboyz from my church and am so excited they have come to Helping Up Mission. If you want to know more yourself, check out www.waterboyz.org. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Alan is one of the incarcerated men to whom we write letters every Friday.  I have known Alan and his family for many years.  I brought him down to speak to my classes at Helping Up Mission before he began his incarceration in January 2008.  From that day until now, we have kept Alan on our daily prayer list and we write him regularly.  Recently, we received the following letter from him.  It speaks of his own spiritual walk, truly strengthened by his incarceration.  It also speaks of his appreciation for the faithful prayers and notes from the men of Helping Up Mission today – none of whom he has actually met. 

To the Men at Helping Up Mission.

God bless you all in His Son Jesus.  Let me take a moment to thank you for your encouragement.  Who am I that you would take the time to lift me up?  It is nothing I deserve I can assure you.  I’m just a bum saved by grace.  However this speaks on your character, that you would take the effort to consider someone like such as myself.

For those of you who don’t know me – my name is Alan...  I am in a federal prison…as a result of my involvement with narcotics.  I have a few years in the system and, unless God intervenes, I have a few more years to go.  And that is all right.  God is good all the time.

Sometimes we question that.  I mean it happens we fall on hard times or witness tragedies like the one in Haiti and question “how can anything good come from this?” Well I’m not smart enough to match wits with God on why He does what He does in situations I know nothing about.  Even in my own circumstances I don’t always understand but He has taught me to trust in Him with all things.  Where I have failed God remains faithful.  And I know that to be true.

I don’t know all of your situations.  I assume some of you are at the HUM because you understand help is needed while others may be there for circumstances beyond your control.  No matter how you got there is not important but what you do there is.  You can only get out what you put in.  The Bible says in Galatians that you reap what you sow. 

In my situation I stay busy.  Lots of people assume that I sit around watching TV all day or lay in my rack.  This is not my life.  I have a job and responsibilities even in prison that I have to be faithful over.  So if I’m slow in responding to your letters please don’t e offended.  Many times I’m not sure what to write.  I would only want to encourage you as you are an encouragement to me.  As well as assure you that benefit from your positive message.  It is just another example of how God remains good in a bad situation.  I brought the bad on myself but God is bringing me out of it.  Praise His name!

Some of you expressed a desire to write.  If you desire to write I’ll be glad to get back at you.  But I have a request tell me about yourself and where you are at in life so I can know the person I’m writing.  Don’t worry about spelling or grammar that doesn’t matter.  I’ll ask you to keep in mind that I am a Christian and you’ll be receiving positive responses that reflect the truth of the Bible as God has revealed it to me.

That doesn’t mean you have to be a Christian or even like the Bible.  I just want to let you know where I’m coming from and tell you that we can talk on those real life situations that we all go through on some level.  God is always relevant and working even if we don’t recognize Him.  The Bible is the standard of truth we have for living. 

On top of that I will continue to do my best to respond quickly to your notes.  Though I will probably continue to write generally.  Each of you has your own style and way of inspiring me.  Your words are always appreciated.  Take my gratitude personally even if I don’t ever mention your name. 

You can pray for Alan, too.  And…if he has inspired anything in you, you can let me know and I will pass it along to him.  “Remember them that are in bonds…” (Heb 13:3).

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

On February 6, 2010, I wrote about heading for the hills just before our record snows began on Friday February 5. I knew how difficult it is getting to my house in Frederick County and I didn’t want to be stuck somewhere. I also knew that the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street was in good hands!

So, I survived the Blizzard of 2010 by hunkering down at my house with my wife in Frederick County. In fact, that next week, I only got back to my office one day between the storms. Well, this week I am back and happy to report that Helping Up Mission is still standing.  Guys are still carrying on their daily responsibilities, meals are still being served, homeless men are being cared for with emergency overnight beds, and the sidewalks and parking lots have been cleared off! 

I am not surprised. This is a special place, full of special guys who are willing to help the next guy and anyone else who needs it. They are grateful for the help they have received and are willing to pass it on.

Many of you who read this are those people who help our men individually or us corporately. Just wanted to say thank you and let you to know that you efforts are not in vain. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

PS Not sure you know this, but 2010 is not only the year of record snow fall…it is also Helping Up Mission’s 125^th anniversary!  Stay tuned. 

I have written frequently about the daily prayer sheet we have here at Helping Up Mission. If a guy has something that matters enough to him to put it on the prayer sheet, it must be important to him. Whatever it is, we know it is important to God. And if it is important to him and to God, it is important to us. So, here at the Mission, we make a prayer list every day and we pray for each item on the list. Our prayer list is new each day, so if it still matters to you today, you need to put it on the list again today. And if it is on the list, we will pray. 

The whole thing has become a powerful spiritual tool in the hearts of new men who show up here. I even tell them, “you don’t have to believe, we do!  You put it on the prayer sheet, we will pray for it.” So, every day, we pray for the men and women in our armed forces stationed around the world as well as those who serve in first responder units (police, fire and EMS) across our country. We are praying guys we know who are incarcerated, as well as the people in Haiti along with those who are ministering to their needs (including my neighbor, Chris on the USN Comfort).

But we also know we are not the only ones who are praying around here! A number of churches in the area regularly include us in their prayer lists. This week, I was handed the Missionary Prayer and Praise Calendar of Valley Presbyterian Church in Lutherville, Maryland. This week they are praying for us here at Helping Up Mission. It is such a comfort and encouragement to us to be assured of others prayers on our behalf.

So to all of you who are praying for us, thanks, it’s working. And to those of you who haven’t, we need all the help we can get!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

PS If you would, please pray for Larry who helps our men work through their financial difficulties. He has been diagnosed with brain cancer. 

While I managed to miss the Baltimore area’s big snow of December 2009 - my wife and I were at my archaeological excavation in Jordan (see my blog on 1/10/10) – I did manage to be here for the big February snow. I went in to teach my Friday morning classes and then officially acknowledged myself as a wimp, cancelled the afternoon chapel and headed home to beat the snow.

I assumed the rest of the staff left early, too – but it was every man and woman for themselves (!), and that left the 400 men who stay each night on the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street on their own to fend for themselves. But things might not be as they seem. 

The most amazing thing about Helping Up Mission is the men who come through our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program. When clean, they are capable, talented and – with the wide range of skills they possess – able to do almost anything we might need done. Through their daily work therapy responsibilities, our Program members actually run every aspect of our facility – food service, environmental services, laundry, maintenance, transportation and security. So, it should not be a surprise to know that our present Mission staff of 28 people includes 19 who are graduates of our Program.

Many of those staff members have responsibilities which call for them to also reside on-site. Even when off-duty, they provide stability and direction to the operation. In addition, we also have a team of over 20 graduate Interns in Training – many of whom we would like to bring onto the staff – also support our work, day and night. While we have system and procedures, with someone always on duty day and night, their general presence offers guidance and support around the clock.   

So, while I am not there, I know the facility runs at least as well as it would with me right there – and maybe better! Helping Up Mission is a wonderful place where some really special men are regrouping their lives and then begin making a real difference in the lives of all those around them.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I like to suggest that our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program is like a three-legged stool (see my blog on 6/5/09) where one leg represents working on our program here.  Another leg is to find a home church and a spiritual mentor and the third leg is to get a 12-step home group and a 12-step sponsor.  Any man in our Program will have a solid recovery if he stands on these three legs.

As sort of an adjunct to that network, some specialized groups have made commitments to support our men in their recovery and actually come here into our facility.  Last week (1/29/10) I mentioned the Monday night Bible study that a group of men have been doing here for almost four years. 

A new program that here at Helping Up Mission is The Philemon Ministry. It was created here in Baltimore for men who have been incarcerated – especially focusing on men just recently released.  Frequently these guys made some serious spiritual commitments while incarcerated, but once released often find it difficult to get a good support system going. 

The Philemon Ministry is the outgrowth of a successful ministry to men behind bars. It provides critical support a man needs once he gets out, to help empower him to successfully reintegrate back into the community.  The program centers on a weekly small group (about a dozen men) looking for spiritual support and accountability.  Together they explore personal concerns and apply Biblical principles to address issues like anger, dependability, faithfulness, employment, marriage, goal-setting and reconciliation with family members. 

Philemon was the name of a spiritual leader in the church at Colosse who was charged by the Apostle Paul to rehabilitate Onesimus, a man Paul had led to faith while inprisoned in Rome.  Onesimus was a run-away slave from Philemon and Paul sent him back.  Paul expected both men to do the right thing toward each other.  The story is, of course, found in the New Testament book of Philemon.

The Philemon Ministry has meetings at different locations in the city and started another group here at Helping Up Mission last week.  In 2009, 80% of our clients had been incarcerated at some point in the past – many in just the past year.  The Philemon Ministry will be a valuable support to them.  We are very thankful for the support so many people offer to any man in need here in our city, but especially to the men of Helping Up Mission. The Philemon Ministry is one that does both, and we are all grateful. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

In the spring of 2006, a group of men from Friendship Baptist Church, Sykesville, Covenant of Grace Church, Reisterstown, and LifePoint Church, Reisterstown came for a visit to see what God was doing here.  They decided to move their own Bible study from where they had been meeting in the county for 10 years, and bring it here to Helping Up Mission.  Their goal was to make a long-term spiritual contribution in the lives of men here at the Mission. 

It has been almost four years now and this same group of men has continued to come and meet here on Monday nights. Their evening program is designed to motivate and encourage men in their walk with Christ through studying Scripture and fellowship. The goal is to provide an example of how Christian men can be a source of friendship and accountability to one another.

So, each Monday evening they start with 20 minutes of fellowship (including homemade baked goods and soft drinks!), 15 minutes of praise and worship music, a 45 minute large group teaching and application, 30 minutes of small group discussion about the lesson (4 to 5 men per table with a leader to facilitate conversation and forge relationships), and a 20-minute prayer time at the end. 

A couple dozen men from Helping Up Mission participate in this weekly meeting and it has become an important part of their spiritual and recovery network. Helping Up Mission works because of the spiritual commitments and support of so many wonderful people in the greater Baltimore area who stand with us. Thanks so much for caring.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I have been back from Jordan for one week now. It was about 80^O F on our last day in Jordan and it was about 25^O F the evening we arrived at Dulles Airport. You people were supposed to be done with all that cold and snow before we returned!   

My wife, Gayle, began to feel bad when she got home and she is only now getting better. I have done pretty well, but still can’t get my sleep regulated. Still, we are both back at work and things are pretty interesting here at Helping Up Mission.    

Not surprisingly, all the programs at Helping Up Mission ran just fine without me! Program Director, Tom Bond, and all the staff just continued to do what they always do every day – just without me butting in from time to time. 

It was good to get back to my Biblical Discipleship classes. That is my main opportunity to be able to share my heart and my hopes for each man and their recovery. Happily, I felt a genuine buy-in from the new guys, probably due to all the good work the staff did while I was gone. Of particular interest to me has been the prayer requests the guys has been putting on our daily prayer sheet. We make the prayer sheet new every day, so if someone wants us to pray about something that day, he has to put it on the sheet that day.

Not surprising, many guys put the same family members and friends on the sheet day after day. Daily they have us praying for the rest of the Helping Up Mission family, too – program members, our overnight guests, staff, volunteers and even donors. A number of guys also pray for the homeless and those suffering from addiction in our community every day, as well. 

This week, the men of Helping Up Mission have put on the people of Haiti on our prayer sheet. They are praying for those who are struggling and for those who are providing aid. My next door neighbor, Chris, is one of those deployed on the USN Comfort and for whom we are praying. 

We believe God answers prayer here at Helping Up Mission. In fact, we have actually seen some pretty miraculous answers just this week. BTW, thank you for all your prayers for us, too. 

Sincerely

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

In my work at Helping Up Mission, I continue to be in awe of God’s love for us, and His power to turn the ugly into the beautiful. And it happened again a few days ago… But first, a little background…

In his best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life, Pastor Rick Warren writes that we’re created for five specific purposes. And one - Purpose #4 – can be particularly relevant for the person in recovery. Purpose #4 is titled “You Were Shaped for Serving God”. I won’t re-state the details of the purpose, but what has stuck with me is that “…your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.

However, this can happen ONLY when we make ourselves available to God’s guidance and direction, so that HE can fulfill the promise of Romans 8:28.

I share this because I was reminded of this purpose over the weekend when I visited Grace Community Church in Columbia to attend the monthly Men’s Breakfast . I was asked to represent Helping Up Mission, and talk about our volunteer mentor program. In the opening of the session, Mike Weber, a church member, gave a short version of his testimony – that 8 years ago he addicted to alcohol – and homeless as a result of his addiction. Somehow, Mike found his way to Helping Up Mission as a guest of our Emergency Overnight Services, and spent some nights with us. He witnessed to God’s infinite love and healing power, and his own faith and recovery journeys.

I don’t know if Mike has read Pastor Rick’s book, but in the years since he was at Helping Up Mission, he has lived the professional and personal life of pursuing his God-led personal ministry out of his deepest hurts. Mike has gained training and experience as a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Technician, and currently works for a Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling company in Howard County. More than his new vocation, Mike has co-founded a ministry called In The Blink Of An Eye Ministries. In this ministry, Mike partners with churches and other organizations bring critically needed ministry and counseling for those in active addiction – and their family members.

Mike’s story is truly an inspiration and authentic testimony to God’s power to redeem our human, sinful nature for His infinite purpose! And I was thankful for the positive response of the men at the breakfast who want to connect with our current clients at Helping Up Mission! 

With that, I’ll keep coming back…

Kris Sharrar

Director of Development

Wednesday night, January 6, was another special time at the Movenpick Hotel. We had actually discussed Epiphany on the bus that morning, heading out to dig. Epiphany (Greek “upon/appearing”) is the term used to describe a divine appearance. The Day of Epiphany is the traditional day for the visit of the Wisemen to baby Jesus in Bethlehem. It is twelve days after Christmas – the basis for the “Twelve Days of Christmas” song.

January 6 was actually Christmas Day under the older Julian calendar, but today has the wisemen focus in the Western Church and commemorates His baptism (remember the Father saying from Heaven “this is My beloved Son” = “appear upon”) in the Eastern Church. Since the site of John baptizing Jesus is placed along the east side of the Jordan River (Bethany beyond Jordan – Jn 1:2; 3:26; 10:40), it is a recognized event in this country (and good for tourism). The actual site is traditionally placed about 8 miles from our hotel and Eastern Christians often come in large numbers to the site on January 6.

Well, anyway, the hotel had another special Christmas dinner that night. Again the restaurant staff wore Santa Claus hats and they had special foods – I actually decided to bypass the main course and go straight for the deserts including the chocolate fondu and the edible dark and white chocolate Christmas trees! Merry Christmas to me all over again.

The next day, Thursday January 7, was my last day of digging. By the end of the day we had discovered a small (5-foot wide) direct-axis gateway through the Early Bronze 3 city wall in our trench and the identification of the mudbrick superstructure of the same city wall 100 yards away in another trench. While I haven’t kept up with the size and scope of excavated Early Bronze Age cities in the Holy Land, I have to say that our finds on the lower city at Tall el-Hammam must make it one of the largest and best preserved city fortifications from that period (the third millennium BC) on either side of the Jordan River.

It was an incredible four weeks of digging for me. When we started this season, we had no real sense of the size and scope of the city’s defenses, which makes our understanding to date all the more remarkable. Since the excavation is a joint project with the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, and we all agree on the data and dates, these findings are going to have significant implications for archaeology in Jordan and the entire region.

The icing on the cake, on Thursday, was the clearing by of our team of the corner of a monumental building from the New Testament era. They found stones over five feet long, over four feet high and two feet wide still sitting in place (in situ) as well as exactly where they fell off the wall. These massive stones made me think of the Herodian masonry in Jerusalem – a real possible connection, since the New Testament capital of Perea was built by Herod Antipas (the guy who cut off John the Baptist’s head [Mt 14:1-11], and before whom Jesus had to appear the night He was betrayed [Lu 23:7-12]), somewhere around Tall el-Hammam.

All this on the day I leave to go home – and they still have three more weeks of digging left! The opportunity to excavate at Tall el-Hammam, stay in the five- star Movenpick Dead Sea Resort and Spa (with my wife) and hang out with such a great group of people is really a privilege. But it is now time to go home to New Market, Maryland and to my job at Helping Up Mission in downtown Baltimore. I really had a great time in Jordan, but I really love my job and am ready to get back to doing what I still consider to be the most meaningful ministry I have ever done.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

My excavation site, Tall el-Hammam (http://www.tallelhammam.com/) has long been believed by scholars to be Abel-Shittim (Nu 25:1; and vicinity Nu 33:49), the last place Moses, Joshua and the Israelites camped before they crossed the Jordan. That would have made it the last place the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant sat before crossing into the Promised Land.

Later, during King Solomon’s time, Tall el-Hammam may have been the capital of his  12th administrative district of Gilead (1 Kgs 4:19) – with direct line of site to the Mount of Olives at Jerusalem. 

In New Testament times, there is reason to believe the site was Livias, capital city of King Herod Antipas’ kingdom of Perea. This is the same Herod Antipas to whom Pilate sent Jesus on the day He was crucified (Lu 23:5-12). It was at Machaerus (according to Josephus Antiquities 18.5.1-2), one of his forts in Perea, where Antipas beheaded John the Baptist (Mt 14:1-3).

But the real reason we are excavating at Tall el-Hammam is because we think it may have been the city of Sodom, of Sodom and Gomorrah fame, during the time of Abraham (Gn 13-19). In fact, we think that the city wall and houses (and destruction debris!) that we dug through last year (mentioned in my 12/9/09 blog) has something to do with that Old Testament city. Stay tuned!

In the Holy Land this year, I will celebrate both mine and my wife’s (who is here with me!) birthday as well as baby Jesus’ birthday. This will all be a first for me and I am looking forward to the experience. While this is a wonderful opportunity and a dream come true for an archeological guy like me, I have to say that my job here at Helping Up Mission is still the most significant thing I have ever done in my life. I am going to love my time in Jordan, but I look forward to coming back to my calling and the really important work I get to do at Helping Up Mission. 

Keep us in prayer and I will keep you posted on what is happening.

On Thursday evening (12/10), my wife and I are flying to Jordan for the fifth season of excavation at Tall el-Hammam, on the Jordanian side of the Jordan River Valley. 

When we left the site last January, we had dug a 7-foot wide, 100-foot long trench to expose an area from the city wall up into the city. While on the surface we could see evidence of the 13-foot wide stone-build city wall and a few house-sized stone wall foundations, we had no idea what was beneath. When we were finished, about 7 feet down along the full length of the trench, we had excavated the most interesting things I have ever discovered after 12 seasons of digging 4 different sites.  

That stone city wall which we could see on the surface actually went five feet deep in our trench and we found that it was constructed on top of about 3 feet of ash and mixed debris. At that point (about 8 feet deep), stones of an even earlier city wall began to appear. I can’t wait to see what that is going to turn out to be!

Further up the trench, beneath the stone foundations of house walls which we could see on the surface, we dug through over 3 feet of ash and destroyed mudbrick debris. Beneath this destruction stuff (now down over 3 feet) we found mudbrick walls from earlier houses built along the same lines as the stone foundations we saw on the surface. It was amazing.  

In the Biblical world, houses were generally built with sundried mudbrick walls over stone foundations. It was way too costly to procure enough fuel to fire bricks in a kiln, so bricks were formed and left out in the sun to dry. The walls were built and then plastered to keep them waterproof.

In our 100 foot long trench (but only 7 feet wide), we think we had rooms and courtyards representing 2 or 3 houses. The walls were over 2 feet wide and still standing to almost 4 feet. They sat on stone foundations about 1 foot high. We got down to the floors of these rooms and even came on two doorways between rooms, complete with the door socketstones.

Ancient doors (both houses and city gates) did not turn on hinges (the Proverbs 26:14 reference to “hinges” is not a good translation). Instead doors were solid wood and attached directly to a post which turned in two socketstones – one in the floor and the other in the ceiling. When the post turned in the stones, the door opened and closed. In one of the houses, we actually found the lower socketstone in place and the upper socketstone fallen nearby.

The pottery on the floor dated this house before 2000 BC. One day the excavators stayed down in the hole to eat their lunch and it was pointed out that no one had eaten a meal in that house for over 4000 years! As an archaeologist who has specialized in domestic architecture, it doesn’t get much better than this. This year, I want to stop and dig out the rest of this house…but I wonder what else we may find if we go ahead and dig even deeper?

I got into archaeology to understand the Bible and the people of the Bible better. And what better way to get to know people than to look around their house! Now I don’t think archaeology proves the Bible, but it does demonstrate that the Bible can be trusted for history. And, if you can trust it for the past, I would suggest that you can trust it for the future. And if you are going to trust it for the past and the future, how about being willing to trust it for today? Just for today…one day at a time.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

It was my 12th year as pastor of the same church.  I had done a Christmas series of messages every December each year.  Over the last couple of years it became increasingly difficult to come up with a new take on the old story.  You might not have considered it before, but finding new material for every Christmas is not an easy task for a pastor – especially after being in the same church for a dozen years!  

In my search for new insights that year, I came across an article by Kenneth Bailey, Initially, I was appalled by Bailey’s suggestion that our traditional view of the Christmas story (which I had preached some 12 years, myself!) was all wrong.  In fact, I dismissed his ideas on the basis of my life principle – “don’t confuse me with the facts!”   

But a few years later, after doing the research for my master’s thesis on domestic architecture in Iron Age I Palestine (the time of the biblical Judges), I finally gave in. From his own background and training, Bailey had been able to view both the biblical text and the biblical world from a non-Western world perspective.  Growing up in Egypt and teaching for 40 years in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Cyprus and Jerusalem, Bailey was able to make application from the Middle Eastern culture, with which he was so familiar, to the Scriptures which he studied and taught. 

That year, not only did my Christmas sermons change, but I began to look at the whole Bible from a new perspective.  Now I tried to read it without my own preconceptions (which I had learned at home, church, college, seminary and graduate school) and let the words of the text say what they mean.  When I did that, I began to see customs and practices in the text that fit both modern Middle Eastern practices (a field of scientific research known today as anthropological or ethnographic studies) as well as archaeological research.  It changed my appreciation of the biblical text forever.

Since that first year, I have continued to share the Christmas story somewhere (I have been away from that church for almost 18 years now), always and only from this view of the story.  There is no doubt in my mind that a careful reading of the biblical text combined with current archaeological and anthropological research absolutely supports these insights.  On top of all that, this new understanding leads to exciting applications of the text for our lives. 

Not that everyone embraces my insights.  I have actually made some people mad!  But most folks are interested in truth and a greater appreciation of what the Bible actually says.  They can also embrace the practical application that comes from this new understanding of the Christmas story.

In reality, there are many views which we hold as sacred but are not well supported in Scripture.  Many of us actually believe something because we have heard a text explained that way so many times.  Or, far worse, we developed our views from a television documentary or even a movie.  While each of these can offer some insights, we simply must take an honest look at the biblical text for ourselves and honestly ask: 1.) What does it say; 2.) What does that mean; and 3.) How can I apply it to my life?

And if anyone would want to embrace truth and need not fear it, that should be us, who know God and believe His Word to be truth.  New insights don’t intimidate us.  We can examine new information and if it is truth, it will be consistent with Scripture. 

The best way to appropriate the spiritual power of a passage is to really understand what the text meant as the author originally wrote it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  From that vantage point, we are in a place to experience the full spiritual impact of those verses.  Then we can make application of that truth to our lives, in any number of ways, and it will give us insight and empowerment.  Anything short of that is really second best. 

Based on all this research, I recently had a short popular article published about the Christmas story. So, whether you are a pastor looking for some new information to use for this year’s Christmas series or you are a believer looking to understand the Bible better, go ahead and click on this offsite PDF link, Bible Study Magazine, and check out the story for yourself at: http://www.biblestudymagazine.com/preview/NovDec09Manger.pdf.

May Christmas season 2009 be full of great insights and joy for you and yours!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

The holiday season has begun here at Helping Up Mission.  Thanksgiving was a great event for us again this year - the kitchen told me we cooked turkeys for 7 days.  I understand we will also be eating turkey for the next 2 weeks. Actually friends of the Mission kept bringing food all week. It was a wonderful outpouring of love.   

As usual, we had an incredible group of volunteers here to serve Thanksgiving dinner to everyone.  There was an early shift who helped set up and then serve the first sitting. The second shift didn’t have nearly as many people to serve, so they invested their time not so much in serving food but in taking time to speak to others. In addition, there were a number of young people who made individual Christmas cards for every man in our Program (almost 400!).

Thank you all so much!  But there was a fun and interesting postscript to Thanksgiving day at HUM. After we were all finished serving Thanksgiving dinner (noon-3 PM), three young ladies stopped out front and said asked if we needed any food. They had come from Washington to Baltimore to serve at another program which had already closed down for the day, so they didn’t get to do any serving. At that facility there was lots of food left over, so these three ladies packed a number of pans full of food in their car and headed out into the streets of Baltimore looking for some place to leave it. They drove down Baltimore Street and saw our lighted sign with the Cross on it and then a guy in a blue jacket marked “Peacekeeper.” They thought that looked promising, rolled down the window and asked if we needed any food. 

When a car full of pretty girls pulls up outside and offers us free food…well, a dozen guys were there in a minute to happily unload the food. I went out and spoke to them and heard they hadn’t been able to serve anywhere. I told them we are serving dinner here in 30 minutes and they could serve a couple hundred guys before they went back to DC. They said yes. 

When we got inside I met another young lady, a young man and her mother. They had also been looking for a place to serve on Thanksgiving and found us online. They stopped down and between the six of them, we had a second great serving of the same Thanksgiving dinner! I ate both times and it was at least as good the second time, if not better. In fact, I never thought the line for the evening meal would ever end – I think they were passing the word around the Mission about all the pretty ladies serving in the cafeteria. 

In the end, Thanksgiving 2009 at Helping Up Mission was a great success. We ate great meals and made a bunch of new friends. And no man at Helping Up Mission felt neglected, forgotten or unappreciated. Thank you, Baltimore (and the suburbs and DC and everbody else), for caring!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I have some pretty special stories to tell about Thanksgiving today - but I will tell you about that tomorrow!  I had planned this one for this date because it is kind of special to me for today. 

Because I live in Frederick County, I have not usually met the men in our long term Spiritual Recovery Program – unless they have been here before.  Since Frederick is some 50 miles away and there is a good long-term spiritual  recovery program in that city, few men enter our program from there. 

But I did know from church the mother of a guy who was really struggling with his addiction.  He finally lost his place to live and had  nowhere else to go.  His parents brought him on a Tuesday night to our Recovery for a Lifetime 12 Step group in New Market.  As far as the family was concerned, Bryan had no other options except to enter a long-term recovery program.  Typically, Bryan did not really see it that way, himself. 

While I wasn’t hopeful that we would have any break throughs that night, I did pray for God to speak to him.  We talked and Bryan was resistant.  So, I gave him the good-old you will have to make up your own mind speech.  He sat quietly for just a moment and then said “okay, I will be there tomorrow morning.”  I was pretty sure he was just agreeing with me to get me to stop talking, but I wanted to believe he was serious.  I prayed with him and said I hope I will see you tomorrow. 

So you would understand my surprise when he rolled up the next morning with his family.  Our staff began the intake process with him and that Friday he was in our program.   It has been five months today and Bryan is doing very well in his spiritual recovery walk.  Last week I asked him what happened that Tuesday night when he changed his mind so abruptly.  He said he just felt like he was really supposed to do this and so he did. 

He told his mother about our talk and this week she shared with me “the rest of the story.”  That Tuesday night, while Bryan and I were in one room talking, his mother and his girlfriend were in our women’s small group in another room holding hands and praying for Bryant to surrender.  That night God heard the cries from one room and did the work in a needy heart in another. 

I don’t know who or what you are struggling over, but I know He knows and cares…and God still answers prayers.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Here is Rod’s paragraph:

I look at being at the Helping Up Mission as a blessing in disguise.  I say this because I had been trying to get my life together for a long time now, and I have not been able to do it by myself. Then I had a guy tell me about the Helping Up Mission while I was incarcerated.  Since I’ve been here, my life has been changing.  I’ve noticed that my thoughts have been more positive, and I no longer participate in negative activities that are going on around me.  This is why I say that the Helping Up Mission is a blessing in disguise.  On the outside, people do not see that on the inside of the Mission men are changing their lives.

I am so happy for Rod, and so thankful for Dr. J and Judy, all the tutors and all the other volunteers who invest in the lives of men here at Helping Up Mission.  It is very obvious that it is working. 

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

My last blog told Dawn’s story and how God has sustained and empowered her after losing her son to drug addiction.  The same day, I heard from a 25-year friend of mine whose son has been self-medicating his social anxiety issues for almost 20 years.  Dad has been praying and tough loving his son all this time, patiently hoping and trusting for God to speak to his son.

Well, it happened this week.  Junior called dad and acknowledged what they both knew was the situation for these two decades.  He said, “I am tired of living like this and I really want to change things.  But I have intellectual questions and I need some answers and guidance.  Do you know anybody that could help me.”

I am humbled to say that dad thought of me – the Biblical-archaeology, spiritual-recovery-pastor guy !  I met with Junior and we set in motion a plan for him to face his issues and begin his spiritual journey.  When we left each other that night, he was encouraged and I was encouraged.

His dad sent me a message yesterday and said his son called him that night after we met.  “I have not heard or felt such hope and optimism from Junior in a long, long  time,” dad said. “Although he did not go into detail, he said that you were definitely the right person at the right time to help him."  Dad added, "I made sure to give God all the credit for that.”

To have the opportunity to participate in things God is doing is really exciting and an honor.  Admittedly, we don’t know all that will happen next, but I have seen and know enough to realize that God is working here and I am just going to try and be available to support the process.

It struck me that this week I have spoken to two different parents with sons who struggled with their drug addiction.  Their stories have gone in very different directions, but in both cases it is clear – God is faithful.  I don’t know what you are going through or who you are struggling with, but I do know God.  And the best thing I can tell you to do is trust Him through it all.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Today we had the mother of a young man, who died from a drug overdose, come and share her story with the newest guys in our Program. Dawn told about her struggles with Aaron while he was alive and using, what happened and how she felt when he passed and all that she has struggled with since his death – almost 7 years later. She says she still “sees” him in the mall or crossing the street, when a young man walk by who looks like Aaron. While both Dawn and Aaron had real spiritual experiences before his death (Aaron had graduated from a Christian high school), she has struggled with her emotions every day since. 

Shortly after Aaron’s passing, Dawn began to regularly support our work here at Helping Up Mission. She wanted to see other mother’s sons get the help that her son did not get. For much of that time, Dawn has also felt a spiritual tug that she should come down and tell her story to the guys here – but she just couldn’t bring herself to take the first step. 

It is standard practice for us to send out a receipt and a thank you note within 72 hours of receiving a gift. It has also become our practice for men in our long-term Spiritual Recovery Program to write a small post-it thank you note, as well. This year, on Aaron’s birthday, Dawn received a thank you receipt from the Mission with a post-it from a man in our Program named whose name was also Aaron. She found the “coincidence” to be meaningful to her. 

Then, on the anniversary of Aaron’s passing, she received another thank you with a post-it from another Program guy named Daniel – the name of Dawn’s other son. Just small things…maybe…but to a mother just trying to cope one day at a time, it was the encouragement she needed to take another step forward. So, she contacted us about coming and sharing her story. Her honest loving message today really spoke to the hearts of our guys, and I imagine it did her some good, too.

May none of us ever forget that we are not isolated and that “I am not hurting anybody but myself!” is just not true. May we also always remember that, as we step out and do something good for someone else, that we always get blessed in return.  Our God is faithful.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

It is a really important question and we get asked this all the time.  After all, we expend all kinds of energy and resources down here on men with addiction issues – so what is really happening?

In the field of addiction recovery, there are actually two schools of thought about what constitutes success.  One view is called Harm Reduction and that highlights any reduction in drug or alcohol use.  So, if someone used 30 days last month and only 20 days this month – that is Harm Reduction.  Anyone who has ever struggled with an addiction, or has family members who have, can appreciate that any reduction in usage as positive. 

The other view of success in recovery is Total Abstinence.  To use just once during that same month is to not practice Total Abstinence and thus not be successful.  Consequently, there is a sense where we see that as failure, no matter how much clean time the person had achieved.    

Yet addiction recovery is measured one day at a time and it might be helpful to look at this a bit like we would look at a sports team on a winning streak.  If you lose, the streak is over.  That doesn’t mean you are a failure, just that you need to start a new streak.  I understand my analogy can’t be carried too far - no sports team can win forever, while an addict can experience permanent and lasting recovery.  But on the other side, because someone used again doesn’t mean there is no hope and all the progress they had achieved was for naught.  Just as in everyday life, our greatest lessons sometimes come from our greatest shortcomings. 

Here at Helping Up Mission, the policy for our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program is Total Abstinence.  Men understand this when they arrive.  If they use, they forfeit the right to be in this program for now.  It doesn’t mean God is done with them or that they can’t immediately regroup in their recovery, it just means not here and not now.  In fact, under most circumstances they can apply to come back after 6 month.  We consider this to be appropriate tough love.

Consequently, in our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program, if we bring in 5 new men a week – statistically, one year later, 1 of those 5 will graduate.  In addition, we have anecdotal evidence which suggests that maybe another 1 of those 5 will leave early before graduation but also stay clean.  We don’t get to count that person as a graduate, but we consider their recovery to also be a success.  Taken  together, that still means we are only making substantial progress with 2 out of 5 men. 

But I don’t think that tells the whole story.  The fact is that many of our men achieve their longest clean time on the street (as opposed to time incarcerated) while they are here.  Yet, they might use again and have to leave.  We don’t take all their effort and success (I do think that is an appropriate term) lightly.  We understand how hard each day clean is for an addict.  We appreciate the Harm Reduction they have achieved, but now we want them to get back to Total Abstinence again.

And I am encouraged about that.  After 10 years of doing this, I have seen and heard enough to know - even though a guy used again and had to leave, he really got something while he was here.  When most men arrive the first thing they begin to find is hope, then they get some answers and, if they stay long enough, they even begin to change.  For them, there comes a real sense that God is up there, that this recovery thing really does works and that it could even work for them.

I should also add that those 2 of 5 who are making it may still struggle at some point in the future and use again.  When that happens they must regroup and do the things they know have worked.  Sometimes they will even come back here for a “refresher course” on recovery.  We honestly don’t consider that to be failure.  Of course we are sad that they struggled, but at least they admitted they had a problem, knew what the answer was and knew where they could go to get it right.  Not quite Total Abstinence, but it is some pretty good Harm Reduction.   

I need to close with this thought.  I have been talking about statistics and it is pretty easy to just crunch numbers.  But when you meet these men, see what all is happening in their lives now and realize how far they have come, it is hard to be discouraged for very long.  I see victories, miracles and answers to prayer every day around here at Helping Up Mission.  I have to call that real success!

Sincerely

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Last weekend, as part of his “Speaking Louder Than Before” concert tour, contemporary Christian recording artist Jeremy Camp performed a concert at the Lyric Theater in Baltimore. As he does everywhere he goes, he chose a local organization to represent – and that night in Baltimore it was Helping Up Mission. 

Jeremy Camp is a PK (that is church-speak for “preacher’s kid”) with a heart for God and a commitment to ministry. Thirty years old, Jeremy feels the urgency to Speak Up, Speak Now and Speak Loud (his new personal and ministry campaign). That was very obvious to the 40 men from Helping Up Mission who sang back up to him in his final song of the night, “There Will be a Day.” 

My guys were overwhelmed by his spiritual focus and genuine interest in them, and not just Jeremy, but his whole band. Jeremy Camp is no stranger to heartbreak, having lost his first wife to cancer just months after their wedding. But he knew where to go to find strength, and he has continued to stay connected. 

While the whole program that night was spiritually uplifting, there was no question that the most exciting part was that last song, “There Will be a Day.” The packed house of over 2,500, the Helping Up Mission choir, Jeremy’s band and even Jeremy, himself, really felt it. The words of the song and the hearts and smiles of the 40 man HUM choir just collided together into something special. 

This song with our choir was posted on Jeremy Camp’s Official Blog and the band’s lead guitarist, Randy, wrote the first posted comment “most moving and memorable moment of the 500+ shows I’ve played with Jeremy. I wish you all could have been there. Notice I couldn’t sing b/c I was so choked up! Haha…great great memory!” Randy is playing front right and just backed away from the microphone. Jeremy got choked up and couldn’t sing a couple of lines in the final verse, himself. It was an electric moment. If you want to see a hand-held camera recording of  “There Will be a Day,” produced a family who attended the program (whom you meet at the beginning of the video), you can see it by clicking on http://jeremycamp.typepad.com/jeremy/2009/10/my-entry-3.html. 

God has been so good to us here at Helping Up Mission. With a lot of help from a lot of our friends, we are able to offer Hope, Answers, Change and Transformation (my new personal and ministry campaign!) to men who are desperately looking for it. An incredible night this was, but in reality, it was just another day of amazing things that God does in our lives here at Helping Up Mission. And he uses so many special people to do that here every day – and that is some of you. Thanks so very much. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

PS I do want to give a special thanks to Keith Daye of our staff and Pam McKee, our volunteer musical coordinator, (she is the blonde with her back to the camera!) for their efforts to make this happen.

We have lots of wonderful friends who stand with us here at Helping Up Mission.  In many cases, their lives (or at least their families) have been touched by addictions and they want to do something constructive to help somebody else.  In most cases, they have a spiritual connection with the Lord and He compels them to do something of meaning and value for others.  Either way, Helping Up Mission, and all the men we serve here, are the beneficiaries of so much love from so many wonderful people. 

One of the people whose life was touched while he was here at Helping Up Mission is Mike Weber.  I mentioned Mike in my blog last week and his book From Junk to Jesus: In the Blink of an Eye (2006), where he told his life’s story.  Mike never entered our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program, he just stayed as an overnight guest for about a month.  He recently wrote about his experience and I want to share an excerpt with you:  

On November 19, 2001, the Lord took decision making out of my hands and I found myself at the Helping Up Mission. After 30 years of drug addiction, rehabs and relapses and perpetual homelessness, I remember feeling relieved. I was a bad husband, bad father, bad son and out of touch with all family and friends and was sure that I created some sins that were not yet in the books.  I was falling hopelessly out of control and I landed in the arms of Jesus. So my stay at the Helping Up, from the first night and all nights to follow, was being upon, what I know now to be,  Hallowed’ ground.  Jesus leads me there still today, to give back a little of the magnitude of Blessings given me, and I always feel like I have come home.

I am co-founder and President of In the Blink of an Eye Ministries (www.intheblinkofaneyeministries.com), a faith-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing families care, comfort and solutions and hope through Christ, to all who suffer from addictions.

I am the author of From Junk to Jesus, In the Blink of an Eye, and have signed the contract for my second book, The Un-Holy Trinity, Me, Myself and I, scheduled for release in the first part of 2010.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

Mike is presently working in a drug rehabilitation facility in the area and also counseling troubled teens.  He is a good friend of Helping Up Mission.  We are a place where people can get better.  One of the reasons is because of the wonderful people who invest their lives down here and make a difference. 

You may not have written a book or worked in a rehab facility, but if you are reading this, it is probably because you are one of those caring and sharing people who have invested in the men God has called us to serve here, too.  Thank you for your eternal investment in the lives of men right here and now – it does make a difference!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

While the centerpiece of what we do here at Helping Up Mission is our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program, we also have up to 50 men who stay here each night as part of what we call Emergency Overnight Services. This is the longest running program at the Mission – providing daily food and shelter for homeless men in our city. In fact, some 15 years ago (long before I arrived), it was decided that we needed to address the issue of drug and alcohol addiction if we really wanted to help homeless men in Baltimore. That is how our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program began.

Our overnight guests arrive late afternoon each day and leave again in the morning. They get a shower, a clean change of clothes and a hot meal that evening. Then there is a chapel service led by a local church from the community. They sleep in one of our dorms – their new one will be the whole renovated bottom floor of our 1029 E. Baltimore Street building (to be ready next April!). The next morning they are served a hot breakfast and then leave the campus for the day. A man can come back again that night if he chooses. 

Because the members of our Spiritual Recovery Program actually run our kitchen, laundry, housekeeping and security – one of their jobs is to serve the men who stay with us overnight. If we are doing things right, it is a positive experience for both. The men in our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program have a chance to give back to someone less fortunate than themselves and have the constant reminder from where they have come. For our overnight guests, they get to see and hear how the long-term Spiritual Recovery Program is working for a guy who is in it. Frequently overnight guests inquire about joining our long-term Program.  

Charles, a graduate and head of our security team, told me about Shawn, an overnight guest who had not been around for a while. He stopped by this week. Shawn now has a job, a place to live and a car. He was wearing a coat and tie when he stopped Charles to just say thanks for the way Charles treated him while he was here. In particular, Charles said, Shawn appreciated the respect that he was shown, even though he was just spending the night. 

That is certainly the way it is supposed to be. We are so happy for Shawn and proud of Charles and his team for their good efforts.  I know that is just the way God would want it.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director     

PS  If you want to read the story of another of our former Emergency Overnight guests, see From Junk to Jesus: In the Blink of an Eye (2006) by John Michael Weber.

Talley arrived at Helping Up Mission in March 2005. The father of two sons, life had not been easy for Talley and he had spent most of 15 years homeless. In recent years he had been living with a group of others in a tent city in the woods outside Elkton, Maryland. A concerned group of citizens tried to get the whole group relocated and back in society. Someone brought Talley to Helping Up Mission.  

After being here for almost 6 months, an independent film producer stopped by and told us that he has been chronicling the story of the tent city folks and wanted to follow up with Talley. So he brought all his recording equipment and set up in the chapel of our old 1029 building. He interviewed Talley and me about his story and the issues of homeless and the addictions that generally accompanying it. 

Well, it is now October 2009. Talley is still here. He has a job in the city and still helps out around our facility. Almost every day he works on reading and math in our Innovative Learning Center, in preparation to earn his high school diploma. He has come up from a third grade reading level since he started. 

Does recovery work? Absolutely! Can people change? Positively! I get a bit discouraged around here some days when I see men, with so much promise, just not get it. Then I see Talley – one day at a time, still plugging along. Man, I love my job!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

PS The documentary video about Talley (and Helping Up Mission) is called “Uncertain Days: Living Homeless,” directed and produced by Joseph Piner, is actually available at www.Amazon.com. If you get it, be sure you watch it to the very end – you won’t be disappointed! 

About that Baltimore Running Festival…some folks would like to know how Bob and I did.  Well, he beat me again this year!  We ran together for the first 8 miles, but when my legs tightened up I told him to go on ahead.  He finished ahead of me by about ten minutes, but I did finish. 

I don’t like to get beat – especially by my boss (and good friend)!  So this year’s race pounded home an important truth to me.  Back in the ’80-90’s, I was the track coach at Walkersville High School. Coaching every season for 12 years, I actually logged close to 10,000 miles with my cross country, indoor and outdoor track team runners. 

But my life, schedule and health has changed since those days.  Because I try to stay in generally good shape and do some exercising regularly – with all my experience and knowledge – I figured I could run the whole 13.1 miles this year, without training for the race.   

I didn’t train last year, either. I made it past the 11-mile mark and then my hamstrings got so tight that I alternately walked and jogged in the rest of the way.  I was going to do better this year.  I knew where I had to stop running last year – running is actually a misnomer, at best I did a slow jog – so, this year, I was ready to work through the discomfort, get past that spot and finish the whole race without having to walk at all. I did, and never actually broke into a walk.  Although at one point, on an incline, a guy who WAS walking actually passed me!  I finished with both legs very tight and could not even kick-in the last mile and a half as I had planned. My time was a little better than last year, the difference being the amount I had walked.  

The whole thing was pretty sobering for me. With all my background in the sport, this was all I could muster.  I realized I sounded just like a number of men I have met in recovery.  They have been in lots of programs (including here before) and know all about the effects of drugs and alcohol on the human body.  Many have also experienced some extended clean time in the past. So now, when they decide to get clean again, they can just turn it on and it will just happen. 

But all our past experience and knowledge doesn’t do us that much good today (just ask Washington Redskins fans!). But, when we do the next right thing, day after day, we develop more than just clean time (like my weak jog to the finish). Instead, we do real recovery (finish strong, even put on a kick at the end).  It doesn’t take long around our place to see who is just working on clean time and who is operating on a real recovery track. 

So, next year I need to either train for the race or just not participate.  I think I might stay home and watch it on television! 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

The 2009 Baltimore Running Festival is over. Runners have all crossed the finish line and times are all recorded. Of course, one sad note for this year’s race was the passing away of one 23-year old male Marathon runner.

Our Helping Up Mission running team, in association with Back On My Feet, participated in every event. We had two guys, Barry and Johnny, running the full 26.2 mile Marathon; Josh ran the Half-Marathon (along with Executive Director Bob Gehman and me); Jesse, Mike and Harry ran the 5K (3.1 miles); and five guys ran on two separate Marathon relay teams – Mike and Jeremiah running 5.1 miles each, Travis running 7 miles and Robert and Rodney anchoring each relay at 7.3 miles.

We are very proud of them all. We saw them train and know how hard they worked. They succeeded and, while generally sore and tired today, it really felt good. Here at Helping Up Mission, we are also very grateful for our Back on My Feet friends. They have corporately and personally invested in the lives of our men for months and I know they are as proud of our guys’ accomplishments as we are.

And beyond the dozen runners, one hundred Spiritual Recovery Program members volunteered to assist in the Baltimore Running Festival. They did set up and registration during the week before the race and were up at 5:30 AM to set up and serve runners as they finished on race day. 

Everyone felt like they had done their part in contributing to the success of a great event for Helping Up Mission and the City of Baltimore. We supported each other and felt support from others, often people we had never met before. 

That’s what recovery is supposed to be about and what teamwork and commitment to a cause should look like. Today, everybody around here is pretty tired, but everybody also feels pretty good about the weekend. It is a nice feeling to step out of our comfort zones, stretch ourselves a little and be available to help others out and to give something back. 

Thank you for stepping up and supporting us, as well.  We really couldn't have done our part this last week without it.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Here we go again. Last year, Helping Up Mission Executive Director Bob Gehman strong-armed me into running in the Half Marathon (13.1 miles!) with him as part of the Baltimore Running Festival. While “running” is much too strong a term (“participating” is much more appropriate!), I did it – and decided I didn’t have any desire to do it again. 

Well, this year Helping Up Mission Executive Director Bob Gehman shamed me into running again with him. I am such an easy mark! It will be quite a stretch for these two old guys (57 and 61 – guess who is which!), but we did it last year and are counting on all those miles of experience to pay off this year. 

The fact is, this is nothing compared to the challenge it is for the men we serve to get and stay clean day after day. Our race is a long one and it will take Bob and me every bit of two and a half hours to get through it. But our men have to battle their addiction twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It would seem to be an almost insurmountable mountain to attempt to climb. 

But wait! The same empowerment that enables me to continue my daily spiritual walk is the same source that will empower every man in our Program in his daily recovery. It works for me, so there is no reason it won’t work for them – in both their spiritual walk and addiction recovery.

The men in our Spiritual Recovery Program can have an everyday spiritual walk and can live in addiction recovery one day at a time. And, if they can do that, then I should be able to finish this race on Saturday, as well! 

So, if you are watching WBAL 11 on Saturday morning, and you see two old guys going real slow – just remember what we represent – men facing the uphill challenge of living drug and alcohol free one day at a time for the rest of their lives. We can do it, and so can they.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

The Bible provides numerous accounts of angels visiting earth to deliver God’s words – His Messages – to seemingly ordinary people. In many accounts, the messages began with “Fear Not” or “Have no fear”, words meant to calm the person and give them peace. Next, the messages tended to provide instructions for the person, or pre-knowledge of a future event. The circumstances may have been different for each person, each angel, or each circumstance, but the common characteristic is God’s love for the person, and His wonderful plans.

I am convinced beyond any shadow of doubt that God continues to use angels to deliver His messages for us, to guide us, to protect us, to lead us. He has done so for me – in times that I recognize, and likely in many times that I don’t. One such occasion was March 25, 2006, when I knew I needed help. I had entered the Emergency Room of a hospital in Baltimore to acknowledge my drug addiction. And I was willing to do anything the medical staff directed me to, so that I could get help and have food and shelter. Without their assistance, I would have been a homeless drug addict on the streets of the city. 

But the entire ER staff showed me mercy, gentleness, and compassion; from the receptionist to the nurses, to the ER doctor on duty. In fact, it was that doctor who directed me to Helping Up Mission. He could have sent me anywhere listed on the hospital’s referral sheet. Yet, he made a call on my behalf to Helping Up Mission to reserve a spot for me. He was my angel that day!

Now, if God puts angels in our path – seemingly ordinary people - in the right place and the right time to help us, doesn’t it make sense that God would also use us in the same way? To be His messengers of love, mercy and compassion in the lives of other people. Here’s a poem-style prayer I wrote on March 25, 2008 – 2 years after I found a home at Helping Up Mission:

Whose Angel am I today, Father?

On whose path will You place me?

To whose ears shall I speak of Your grace?

To whose eyes shall I reflect Your love?

To whose mind shall I bear witness of the Gospel?

To whose heart shall I reveal Your mercy?

Because of Your love, grace and mercy, Father, countless others have been placed on my path in times past…

So…. Whose Angel am I today, Father?

With that…I’ll keep coming’ back,

Kris Sharrar

Director of Development

Charles arrived at Helping Up Mission in February 2004, on one leg. Like the other guys here, he had an addiction problem, had been incarcerated over issues related to his addiction and was just looking for some help. At that time, we just had our old 1029 East Baltimore Street building and Charles would have to walk up and down the steps to the dorm, dining hall, classroom and daily work therapy duties. We just didn’t think he would be able to keep up.

But he assured us he really wanted to do this and he would do whatever it took to stay and make things work. So, Charles joined our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program. He graduated in February 2005 and stayed on as a graduate intern. Since he was still here, he began to work on earning his high school diploma. Charles joined the Helping Up Mission staff in January 2008 and officially received his State of Maryland High School Diploma in February 2008. 

This spring, Charles will start taking college courses at Baltimore City Community College, just down the street from us. His dream – for many years – is to help others who are struggling in addictions, so he is pursuing a degree in addiction counseling.

So when Charles starts college in the spring, it will be six years since he first arrived at Helping Up Mission. His life has changed. He got clean, met God, graduated our Spiritual Recovery Program, earned his high school diploma, took a job and is now headed to college for addiction counseling. 

I don’t know what you are going through or who you are worried about, but I want you to know God is alive and well down here in East Baltimore. I am also pretty sure that, wherever you live (or your loved ones), He is working there, too. So hold on and don’t let go.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

 I have been at Helping Up Mission since 1998 and took the responsibility of Spiritual Life Director in 1999. Since that time, it has been my privilege to teach Biblical principles every day to thousands of men in our Spiritual Recovery Program. I love my job and am excited about what all I see and hear is happening in the lives of the men I serve. 

Consequently, last weekend was a very special time for me. Tom came to our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program in 2002, from an abandominium in East Baltimore - that would be a boarded up abandoned rowhouse in the city. He showed up very nervous about what all might happen here, but so very tired of years of drug addiction. 

Tom was a very bright and skilled guy and eventually became the Program member supervisor of our learning center and then became the chaplain's assistant in the classroom ("the bank" for those who know our facilities). From there, he not only supported the classes, but assisted me in addressing needs in the men's lives way beyond the scope of his assigned duties. It got to the place that, when there was an need in a guy's life at the Mission, I would ask Tom to see what he could do. If it could be done, Tom was able to make it happen.

So, when my responsibilities expanded to oversee all aspects of the Mission's recovery programs in 2003, I asked Tom to take responsibility for the heart of our Program operations - the Program Office. He did and, with Kevin who came along side of him just shortly after that, we have worked together building what are the programs that constitute the Helping Up Mission today. 

We have had a few blips on the radar screen over these past six years and had to weather a few storms together. But through it all, I have watched Tom continue to grow as a spiritual man in recovery and a leader of men in our organization. Today, Tom is the Program Director and Kevin is the Program Manager and I am so appreciative of their skills and commitment every day to this institution. 

Last weekend, it was my privilege to officiate at Tom's wedding. While his own father was there, I felt like a proud father, myself, and people said they could see it all over my face. It has been my great joy with be part of Tom's recovery and spiritual growth, and I am so happy for him and his new wife.   

With 400 men spending the night with us here on the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street, it is easy to get your heart broken by the decisions and choices some guys make. There are times that I actually wonder if I am really making a difference in anyone's life. Last weekend reminded me how good it can be when you stay the course and continue to invest in someone's life. Tom, the best man and two groomsmen - all graduates of our Spiritual Recovery Program, all Helping Up Mission staff members today. It was a great day for me! God is so very good.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

This is the refrain from a popular Christian song written and performed by Keith Green in the 1970’s. I was newly saved by faith when I first heard this song. Oh, how I wish I took those words to heart back then. I remember it was a rockin’ song (rockin’ for Christian music, anyway), and I was apt to sing along to the words. But, as I progressed into my adult years and worked hard at what I did, I didn’t always seek God’s guidance, direction and blessing. I guess I assumed that I would do what made sense to me, personally, and God would naturally bless my deeds – isn’t that what Christians get, blessings from God?? Right?? Well, as I came to realize, if I wasn’t in right relationship with God, adoring Him for the gift of salvation, and living my life as a “living sacrifice”, then my works weren’t worth all that much. I couldn’t succeed on my own.

The Bible speaks to the proper division of labor between Himself and us. God’s plans for us include the work we are to do, and the work He is to contribute, resulting in the extraordinary occurring in ordinary lives and circumstances. We can’t expect to simply lay back and wait for God to hand us an abundant life, filled with blessings and an absence of struggles.

So, I have found new, profound meaning in this song. I see God’s plan for me – His challenge for me, really. Yes - I am called to do my best, but my “best” must be in accordance with His purpose and plan for my life. Then – His abundant blessings will flow! And finally, I can rest assured that God knows His part in my life (He designed it), and that He will truly “Take Care of the Rest.”

With that…I’ll keep coming’ back,

Kris Sharrar

Director of Development

In my other life, when I am not here at Helping Up Mission, I work as an archaeologist with the Associates for Biblical Research.  While the connection between archaeology and spiritual recovery might not be apparent at first glance, I have found the connection to be exciting and powerful.  As an archaeologist, I excavate in Bible lands and find things which are supportive of the historical reliability of the Bible.  These things don’t prove the Bible, they just point out that we can trust it for history. 

What really proves that the Bible is God’s Word is not what archaeologists dig out of the ground, as interesting as those things may be.  The real proof of the Bible is the difference it makes in people’s lives.  Here at Helping Up Mission, we get to see the Bible’s message provide hope, answers and change in the lives of the men we serve.  The changes that men in our Program are experiencing and the miraculous things that happen in their lives can only be explained by a supernatural God who is interested in them.  Real proof that the Bible is God’s Word is not what archaeologists dig up from the ground, but the transformation it brings about in our lives.

Yet, that doesn’t mean that archaeological research is not important.  Archaeology demonstrates that I can trust the Bible for history.  And, if I can trust it for the past, I should also be able to trust it for the future (for my eternal destiny).  And, if I can trust the Bible for both the past and the future, I should be willing to trust it for today – living it one day at a time. 

That logic has worked very well for me over a couple of decades now.  This Book has changed my life and it is my privilege to pass it on to men who are interested and looking for answers.  Hope, answers and change are the basis of spiritual recovery and I am happy to report that it is alive and well at Helping Up Mission.   

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

I really enjoy working with the men in our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program at Helping Up Mission. During that year we really get to know and appreciate each other, as well as share our joys and sorrows together. That is why it is painful when a guy leaves, especially inappropriately. But Shakespeare (or someone smart) once said, “it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” I know that is true.

Something that never gets old for me here is seeing guys who have graduated and moved on. This has been one of those weeks. Stephen graduated in 2004 and often stops by to keep connected and talk with guys he knows. Unfortunately I am always in class or a meeting and never see him. He caught me on the street this week and just wanted to say hi. He said he has stayed clean since arriving at the Mission in 2003 and is doing well at his job. I had no idea where he was, how he was doing or that he was here so frequently and “giving back.”

Yesterday, John drove up and honked his horn at me as I was waiting to meet someone. He graduated in 2007 and has been at the same job he had when he was here. Other alumni from Helping Up Mission also work where he is and he told me how well they are all doing. While others around our place probably knew, I had no idea. John said he likes to come back by HUM, stay connected and remember from whence he came (my terminology not his!). Again, I had no idea what all was happening in his life either. 

We are graduating about 100 men a year from our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program these days. So very many of them stay connected and regularly stop by. It is very exciting for me to see when the new guys in our Program get it." But, man, do I love seeing the alumni who "still have it" come back and “give back.”

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

In the literature of recovery, Helping Up Mission is considered a therapeutic community. Officially, we call our Spiritual Recovery Program “a 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program in a 12 Step Therapeutic Community.”

For recovery, a therapeutic community is explained as one addict helping another addict get well. Therapeutic communities have staff which provide structure and instruction, but the value of a client's support for another is recognized and maximized. 

Here in our therapeutic community, clients attend classes, do one-on-one and group counseling and have daily work therapy responsibilities. To support this, we have assembled a wonderful group of staff, strategic partnerships and volunteers who provide both the program and direction. Yet, when all is said and done, the reason almost any man finishes our 12-month program is because he connected to other men here (as well as developed a recovery network outside) and found the support and encouragement he needed to make it through the difficult times of life. 

Every day in class, someone shares how medical, financial or legal issues, relationships problems or some experience within our own facility were enough for him to pack up and roll out of here. But he either went to talk with someone or had someone come and speak to him and he decided to just sit still another minute. And that was all it took for reason to prevail. 

I am very proud of the staff at Helping Up Mission. I am so grateful for our many talented volunteers and I appreciate our strategic partners. Yet, I think the real heroes here are the clients, themselves, who are willing to be honest and open with each other – and even willing to speak up when it would be a lot simpler to just say nothing. That is what a therapeutic community is all about – and we have a great one here at Helping Up Mission.     

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

As the Spiritual Life Director at Helping Up Mission, one of the things that is most meaningful to me is our daily prayer list.  The list is new every morning and each day any men can put their own requests for that day on the sheet. 

Since today’s requests don’t transfer to tomorrow, someone has to “reup” again tomorrow or it will not be on the list.  As I see it, if it is really important to you today, you will make sure it gets on the sheet today.  Whatever the request, we know it is important to God.  And if it is important to that guy and God, it is important to the rest of us. 

So we have a couple of dozen prayer requests on our sheet every day and it is my privilege to pray for each one by name. We do the requests from each class during that class time.  The lessons I have learned from that prayer sheet are significant.  Most striking to me is the number of men who put their loved ones on the sheet every single day – even though they often still aren’t speaking to us.  Consequently, I get to know their families pretty well and sometimes, when a guy gets in a hurry and forgets something, I know their request well enough to just add it in to my prayer! 

Another thing that is meaningful to me is how often men ask prayer for the whole HUM family (including our donors and volunteers!) or for another specific Program member.  And every day someone prays for those out there in our city who are still struggling with addiction.

Finally, when men do pray for themselves on our prayer sheet, it is almost exclusively to be able to continue to walk in their recovery.  I almost never see what I would call a “selfish” prayer.  The men in our Spiritual Recovery Program get to really understand their priorities and responsibilities and their prayers show it. 

Thank you very much for your prayers on our behalf.  And, while we covet your prayers, we are also praying much for each other and for you. Prayer is a critical part of the internal workings of Helping Up Mission. So…let us pray.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

As a graduate staff member of Helping Up Mission’s Spiritual Recovery Program, I could write several entries regarding the lessons I’ve learned since entering HUM in March 2006. Last week, I wrote about the most profound lesson I learned – that to “WIN”, I needed to SURRENDER. Surrender my life, my will, and my brokenness to my Heavenly Father, who delights in meeting us “at the end of ourselves.”

I count this statement as the second most profound lesson – “It is not about ME.” I was not created and placed on this Earth to pursue my own dreams, my own ambitions, or my own plans. Chasing after these achievements and successes would not adequately fill the God-shaped hole in my soul. And, to paraphrase Bono, lead singer for U2 - I had not found what I was truly looking for. I was all about GETTING, and not about GIVING.

So, in our bible study classes with Pastor Gary Byers, I began learning the TRUTH of the gospel – and I paid attention for the first time in my life (42 years at that point). And reading Purpose-Driven Life – What On Earth Am I Here For (by Rick Warren), I read about God’s true purposes for my life on Earth.  And the first “Point to Ponder” in the book – “It’s NOT about ME.”

I can honestly say that these truths were very, very liberating for me. I felt the pressure lift that I didn’t have to keep driving, striving, and thriving to achieve professional, material, and reputational success. Because in chasing the “American Dream” - as defined in the world – I was completely missing the point of loving God, and loving others! But, in focusing on these true purposes – contained in God’s living WORD, I could also focus on GIVING, and not on GETTING.

And I know I’m not the only Spiritual Recovery Program graduate to feel this way. I stay connected with many other men who have changed their way of believing, thinking, and behaving. In the process, their lives are restored, and they are GIVING of themselves – at home, in church and in the community.

So, if you’re wondering if lives are being saved and changed at Helping Up Mission… be confident that the answer is a resounding YES.

With that…I’ll keep coming’ back,

Kris Sharrar

Director of Development

Surrender, in the worldview, is viewed as failure. It is commonly agreed to be the EXACT opposite of victory. And we are raised from birth to be victorious. As the saying goes “To the Victor Goes the Spoils”. Therefore, it’s against our nature to surrender. We would rather defeat others, conquer others, achieve success, defend our turf and territory, fight for what we deserve, etc., etc., etc.

This is also common for the addict – regardless of the nature of the addiction. The addict, who is in denial, will fight for the right to continue the addictive behavior – while denying the very reality of the addiction. The addict will defend his/her “Right to Use” and rationale, such as “It’s my life, and I can do as I please”, or “I’m not hurting anyone else”, only serve to extend the agony.

In my own recovery since March 2006, I’ve come to the realization that “Surrender” is the thought, idea, or strategy that comes right as we are near “the end of ourselves”, despite our strongest efforts NOT TO LOSE. Only at the bitter end of the fight, do we contemplate giving up. And the world would tell us NEVER GIVE UP.

But for me, my recovery was truly possible ONLY WHEN I chose to surrender – COMPLETELY! I realized I was at the end of myself in all ways – spiritually, emotionally, relationally, professionally, financially – everything. And I realized the more I fought against reality, the more I was losing ground. Thankfully, God’s love for me revealed something that runs completely counter to what I had been told throughout my life. I could “Let Go, and Let God” do for me what I couldn’t do for myself.

The Amazing Grace offered by our Heavenly Father, paid for by Christ’s death on the cross, is that He delights to meet us at our end – and He accepts our surrender to His love, forgiveness, mercy, and infinite/amazing plans for our lives. And HE doesn’t claim Victory for Himself – as a worldly Victor would – HE claims victory US!

We can rest assured that in Surrendering to GOD – we actually WIN!!

With that…I’ll keep coming’ back,

Kris Sharrar

Director of Development

I think it is safe to say that our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program takes a truly unique “holistic” approach to recovery and to meeting the needs of the men we serve.  Based on Luke 2:52 from the life of Jesus, we consciously attempt to meet the intellectual (“wisdom”), physical (“stature”), spiritual (“favor with God”) and social (“favor with man”) needs of each man who enters our Program.   

There is the obvious spiritual focus of our Biblical discipleship classes, intellectual focus of our educational program, social focus of our therapeutic community and physical focus of our medical services (dental, eyes and feet) and athletic teams (softball, basketball, running teams and weight room).  But one of the other things we do here is art therapy, which is very popular with the guys and has produced some wonderful works of art. 

Carole McQuay  has been leading weekly art therapy groups for over two years at Helping Up Mission. This year her groups were asked to provide artwork for display at the Regional Headquarters of Susquehanna Bank in Hunt Valley.  So, last month 23 pieces were placed on display in their lobby and office complex.  They will be up into the fall and anyone is invited (and encouraged) to go and take a look. 

I have attached photos of some of the work, so you can see the ability of the men we serve here.  Helping Up Mission is full of capable and talented men who can do so much good when they are clean from drugs and alcohol and are focused on the right things.  We are proud of the efforts each one is making in his recovery.  We are proud of their willingness to share their talents with the community.  I hope you will stop by the bank lobby and see the good work for yourself.  The address is:

Susquehanna Bank

            307 International Circle, Suite 600
                Hunt Valley, MD 21030
                Monday - Friday  9 AM to 5 PM

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers                                                          Please click here to see more artwork.
Spiritual Life Director

Q: What ministry was presented at the Baltimore Orioles Bible Study on the date of the team’s largest comeback in franchise history (June 30, 2009)?

A: Helping Up Mission (of course, or this blog wouldn’t make sense…)

At first thought, you may think there is nothing in common between baseball trivia and Helping Up Mission. Those seem to be two different worlds – professional athletes and the homeless and addicted. Well, that would be an incorrect assumption for the Baltimore Orioles and Helping Up Mission. On the day that the Orioles would later make history in a huge comeback victory over the rival Boston Red Sox, I attended the bible study for the players and coaches, and had the chance to share the “HUM story” with the players and coaches I cheer for throughout the week!

I want to respect the privacy of those in attendance; however, I can say there was a great group of players and coaches in the room. At the end of our time together, I received great encouragement from the group, with offers and commitments to support the Mission in the future. We already have some volunteering time with us, and I hope more will follow. I was also given a “behind the scenes” tour, and escorted through the clubhouse to meet some of the other players and coaches. I have to say that it was hard to contain my personal excitement about my visit.

Please know that I am perhaps one of the BIGGEST baseball fans in the world!!! I dreamed of playing in “The BIGS” throughout high school and college. And I played baseball with and against a large number of future Major League players (I just didn’t share their talent level). It was a heart break for me when I realized that dream wouldn’t come true. But that’s OK, because I know God has me exactly where HE wants me  – I’m working at Helping Up Mission and spreading the Good News of the Gospel, as well as sharing about the transformation of so many men’s lives and their breaking the cycle of homelessness and addiction.

So, you now know the answer to a very, very little known trivia question. But, as we did, I hope you are smiling when you consider it. And you also know our hometown Baltimore Orioles include some wonderful men (and wives) who are compassionate about the community – and do give back!

With that…I’ll keep coming’ back,

Kris Sharrar

Director of Development

p.s. To learn more about the ministry in professional baseball, visit www.baseballchapel.org.

The Bible reminds us just how powerless we are to do even the right things in our own strength, even as believers. If I am going to be of much use to God’s Kingdom today, I will simply need to stay connected to Him and remain open to following the plan He has laid out for me. He doesn’t need my ideas or help. As I like to say around here: He is supposed to be driving the car of my life and I am just riding shotgun. If I can stay willing to do what He says, when He says to do it and to do it in His strength and power, I can’t miss. The best way I know to do that is just to remain Honest, Open and Willing to Him and His plan. 

Honest about where I really am in my life

Open to His plan for me

Willing to let Him do whatever He knows is best for me

Chapter 4 of Narcotics Anonymous (Fifth Edition; 1988) is titled “How it Works,” and this is where the 12 Steps are introduced. In that introduction is this statement:

There is one thing more than anything else that will defeat us in our recovery; this is an attitude of indifference or intolerance toward spiritual principles. Three of these that are indispensable are honesty, open-mindedness and willingness. With these we are well on our way.

Those in recovery will point out that Step 1 focuses on Honesty – that is seeing myself as I really am; Step 2 focuses on Open-mindedness – that is seeing God as He really is; Step 3 focuses on Willingness – Let Him do in my life what I can’t, but He can. 

So the Biblical principles for an everyday spiritual walk are the starting principles (Steps 1-3) for recovery from drugs and alcohol. While I don’t have a chemical addiction background, I work at applying the same spiritual principles in my everyday spiritual walk as men in our Spiritual Recovery Program use for empowerment over their addiction. We all need the same stuff every day; and it is as simple as HOW – Honest, Open and Willing. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Every week we take new members into our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program.  A week ago we graduated a record 6 men who had come in together and one year later graduated together – a Helping Up Mission first (I did mention in my 3/11/09 blog that we graduated 7 one week - but 2 of them were from our Graduate Spiritual Recovery Program).  As I was listening to each one share his personal story, I couldn’t help but think about the new guys sitting in the room who were hearing all this.  It was inspiring.  While every story was unique, they all shared the same message.  I finally realized  I needed help; I connected to other people who were positive in my recovery; and if I can make it, anybody can!

Helping Up Mission specializes in being a place for a man to sit still and listen to God.  While we try to help in so many other ways as well, the bottom line is that this is a time to just sit still, shut up and listen to what God is saying.  He has been talking to us all along, but we have just been running so hard that we couldn’t hear Him – or at least we tried runing so hard because we had heard Him and didn’t want to do what He said.  Either way, now we are listening and the message is coming through loud and clear. 

Then, once we have heard what He said, we need to decide if we are going to do it.  Happily, so many men here say yes to God.  Our Program is far from perfect, each member of our staff has his own issues that he is dealing with, and our clients still have a long way to go.  But we see and hear God at work in our midst here every day and it encourages us to just sit still for a little longer. 

Thanks to many of you who stand with us through prayer, donations and volunteering your time.  While everybody gets discouraged from time to time around here, there are so many wonderful things we see happening, you just can’t stay discouraged too long.  So just hold on and don’t let go!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Last weekend, July 24-25, was “Dental Access Days” for 150 uninsured, low income or homeless folks in Baltimore City. Held in the University of Maryland Dental Schools clinics, some $150,000 worth of free dental care was provided to these patients, including over 100 of which were members of Helping Up Mission’s Spiritual Recovery Program. After the event, Dr. Mary Lashley, Professor of Nursing at Towson University and member of the Helping Up Mission Board of Directors wrote:  

We are deeply indebted to Dr. Nancy Ward and Rev. Keith Daye for enabling our men to obtain this care and for insuring timely and seamless access and delivery to  dental services. Dr. Ward provided the leadership and oversight for over 100 volunteers who participated in the event which was held in the University of Maryland Dental School clinics, a state of the art facility equipped with the latest dental technology and recognized as the best in the nation and possibly the world (according to the School's administration).  Dr. Ward also generously donated the services and facilities of her private office in Towson to enable over 80 residents to receive free dental x-rays prior to the event, so their dental care could be expedited when they arrived at Dental Access Days.

Rev. Keith Daye coordinated scheduling, transportation and meals for over 100 men, insuring that the men who participated arrived on time and that all their needs were addressed throughout the two day period.  Many of these men were in the dental chair for 6 to 8 hours at a time, and had multiple extractions, root canals, fillings, and other restorative dental work.  Moreover, Rev. Daye coordinated transportation and scheduling for the men to receive dental screenings and x-rays prior to the event to insure that complete records were available for the dentists upon their arrival and treatment could be carried out promptly and efficiently.  His organization, attention to detail, and leadership enabled the event to run seamlessly and efficiently and insured that the maximum number of residents could be served.

I was deeply moved by the outpouring of love and generosity that I observed during this two day event and by the joy experienced by both those who served and those who were served.  It was a privilege to be part of this experience, and I am still on a high from it.  I wanted to share it with you. 

I was especially touched at the beginning of each day, when the wonderful volunteer dentists and students would line up in the waiting room, charts in hand, patiently waiting to receive our men.  I thought to myself "what a switch, for the first time, the doctors are in line waiting for the patients!"  And then I thought about how great our God is, that when He blesses us, it is "pressed down, shaken together, and running over."  Compassionate, expert care in a state of the art, world renown facility, completely free, and all for our beloved men.  I mean, is God good or what!

Of course, what Dr. Mary (as she is known around here) does not mention is her part in the whole event. She was the original prime mover for free health care to the men at Helping Up Mission almost 5 years ago and she continues to lead the way for funding and services to the men in our Program today. She is correct, though, about the wonderful efforts of Dr. Nancy Ward and Helping Up Mission staff member Keith Daye. And in spite of the pulled teeth (our inhouse highest was 15 – from two different men!) and sore mouths, there were smiles and gratitude from all the guys this week. They were truly appreciative – and can’t wait to get their new teeth! God really is good!!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Three months ago Ervin got pretty discouraged in the class.  Unfortunately, that is pretty common among men who have been out of school for awhile.  The good news is that most work through it.  At that point, Ervin was assigned to write a paragraph and this is what he wrote: 

I dropped out of school in the 10th grade.  In 1982, I went to Dunbar at night to get my GED, but I didn't finish.  Last year, I went to BCCC for my GED, and I did not finish.  Now I'm here at Helping Up Mission, and I'm trying again.  My diploma is very important to me not only for employment but also for personal reasons.  There is so much I need to do and so much I need to learn.  I am afraid I can't do this.  I want to give up.

To his credit, Ervin let the class read his paragraph.  Then other men decided to share their struggles, letting Ervin know he was not alone.  Class that day was a miracle.  Guys supported and encouraged each other to do the next right thing.  Ervin decided to stay with it and to get extra tutoring, which helped him fill the gaps in his knowledge of the subjects where he was struggling. 

Now, three months later, he has almost completed the External Diploma Program.  He is doing so well, and feeling so good, that he is even taking an advanced computer class in the evening these days.  Recently, Ervin wrote another paragraph as part of his entrance into the External Diploma Program.  Here is what he wrote:

This is the time in my life to finish the GED I never finished.  I dropped out of high school in the 10th grade.  In 1982, I went to Dunbar High School for my GED and didn't finish.  Last year, I went to Baltimore City Community College to get my GED, and I did not finish.  Now I'm here at the mission and trying it again.  To receive my high school diploma is very important to me.  This is my time to finish.

Well, I am happy to report he did finish and earned the privilege of being the graduate speaker. Here is a copy of his speech:

I've never done this before, I've never talked before a large audience before, and I'm very nervous and excited at the same time.

 

My diploma means a lot to me.   It has taken me 30 years and three tries.  I did it this time because about 13 months ago, I had a change of heart in the way that helped me look at life's challenges in a new way.

 

About thirteen months ago, I found myself chemically addicted in Baltimore city central booking.  I had been to central booking on several situations, and I always told God that if he would  get me out, I'd do better the next time.  Obviously, since I was there again, I hadn't done better.  However, 13 months ago when I was in city jail, instead of asking God to get me out of the situation, I just thanked him, because I believe I understood what he was trying to tell me.  So I decided to challenge myself just to do the right thing for just one day, no matter what.  I would make better decisions for one day. And that day led to another and another and another.  After all, tomorrow is not promised to us.  If we do the right thing today, then we don't have to worry about tomorrow.

 

Once I got out of jail, I needed a place to go, so I decided to go the Helping Up Mission.   I had known about this place for many years, but my pride would not let me be involved a mission.   

So I had to challenge myself again to let go of my pride and become a member of the helping up mission spiritual recovery program. 

 

In my early days there, the first couple months, I had to attend a bible study/recovery class given by the spiritual life director, Pastor Gary.  I believe he challenged every one of us to strengthen our faith in God.  So I did that. That was probably the most important thing I have done in the past year.  I had gone to church while I was growing up, but I had never really trusted that if I just did the right thing everyday, that God would take care of all my needs.

 

Then I met another challenge from the life prep counselor, Barry Smith.  He knew that in my past I had not finished anything, and he challenged me to finish the program.  He challenged me to stay the whole year and graduate from the recovery program.  And now I am a graduate of the program. 

 

During that time, I found out I could get my high school diploma.  The mission has a learning center and we are challenged to go down there and get our high school diploma or if you have a diploma,  you can go there to improve on your reading skills or maths.   It was there I learned about  the external diploma program at south Baltimore learning center.  My attention span is very short, and when I heard about this other way, I said  Ok, I'm game.  We started out brushing up on my skills, reading, math etc, but when I t came down to writing and spelling, this is not one of my best qualities so this was an opportunity for me to do what I was good at doing, just quit, just give up.   This was a very depressing time for me and all I wanted to do was do what I had always done, just give up.

 

Fortunately, some of the other guys in the class were struggling also, and I talked to them.  They encouraged me, and I decided to keep going forward.   So this was another challenge.  This year has been one challenge after another.  And I have to tell you, Dr. J and David Glassman stayed on my butt and pushed me until I completed it.  Now I am a high school graduate.  A year ago, none of this was even conceivable.  I couldn't have thought that I could have done it.

 

It is like my life stopped 30 years ago, and for 30 years I was standing still.  It is like this past year, I woke up and 30 years had gotten behind me.  But, I learned that no matter how much time has passed, God gives another chance.

 

 I want to thank all the teachers whether you are a biblical teacher or spiritual teacher or math or reading teacher.  Where would our world without teachers.    I want to thank all the teachers and staff at SBLC and all the teachers and staff at helping up mission. 

 

I want to say something to everyone out there who is working to get your high school diploma, or trying to do anything even like getting a job.   Don't give up, don't quit.  You are going to come to bumps in the road, but don't just stand there for 30 years like I did.  Find some way to get around it, go over the top of it, just believe and trust and God will make a way out of no way.  Man if you just believe, you can do anything.  Have faith.  Greater is he who lives in us than he who is in the world.   

Just recently I attended a very special event in the life of Helping Up Mission.  We partner with South Baltimore Learning Center to help our Spiritual Recovery Program members obtain their high school diplomas.  Historically, once leaving school, adults could earn high school diplomas by sitting for a series of examinations in the General Education Development (GED) program. A student signs up to take five tests for a total of just over 7 hours during two weekends to earn his diploma. The tests cover material in Language Arts–Reading, Language Arts–Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

But as far back as 1978, the State of Maryland also began to offer an alternative program for adults to achieve their high school diplomas.  While not as well known, the External Diploma Program (EDP) has created a whole new pathway to high school diplomas. EDP is for “mature” adults who have acquired academic skills through life and work experiences and can demonstrate those skills in an applied assessment  process. The subjects are essentially the same as the GED testing: Reading Self Awareness; Writing Social Awareness, Mathematics Aesthetic Awareness, Oral Communication Consumer Awareness and Critical Thinking Scientific Awareness. Instead of sitting for GED tests lasting an hour and a half each, EDP requires demonstration of sixty-five generalized skills and one vocational skill with each student working at his own pace. 

So, in the Tremont Grand Conference Center, the South Baltimore Learning Center Summer 2009 Learner Recognition Event included its semi-annual graduation.  Thirty-one adult students received the high school diplomas they earned through either GED or EDP.  The breakdown was seven GED’s and twenty-four EDP’s – with fifteen of those diplomas (two GED and thirteen EDP) coming from men at Helping Up Mission! 

I felt like a proud papa as I watched men, whom I know had worked so hard to reach this day, walk in cap and gown to receive their Maryland High School diploma. At Helping Up Mission, we are committed to helping men change their lives by getting clean from drugs and alcohol and by developing a spiritual relationship with God. But for him reintegrate back into society, we also need to help him go back to work and begin taking responsibility for himself. For many, a high school diploma is the critical first step.

Thank you South Baltimore Learning Center, Dr Jeanette and all the Helping Up Mission tutors who have helped make some dreams come true this past year. And the best is yet to come. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Every Monday morning in my classes we take time to share blessings from the weekend. It is a very productive time for the group. Anyone who had a positive weekend experience enjoys sharing the good report with the rest of us. Guys who did not have a particularly good weekend are often blessed by just hearing someone else’s good story. In fact, they will often share their own recollection of that man’s experience as they were nearby and watching. Other guys, after hearing what someone else shared, often begin to see what happened in their weekend as a blessing, also. For many, it is a highlight of the week and often guys can’t wait to get to class to share.  

The new members of our Spiritual Recovery Program are still on blackout and not allowed to leave the campus, except to be escorted as a group to one of a number of churches that our guys attend.  The others can go to the church of their choice and can then spend the day with family and friends. But amazingly, on Monday mornings, I hear regularly hear gratitude from them all as they recount some of the good things that happened in their lives over the weekend.

While each story is unique to that man and his experience, the stories generally follow similar themes. Frequently a man was really moved by events at the church service he attended and its impact was not lost on him even the next day. Of course that is what is supposed to happen to everyone every Sunday in church, but it has usually been a long time since this guy was in attendance and the experience is powerful.   

Just about as often, are stories about the families who came to visit guys still restricted to the campus. We are often surprised to see them and overwhelmed by the love and support they offer. Then, there are the stories of men off restriction being invited back into the family circle from which they had been excluded. They visit the house where they haven’t been welcome or attend a family activity to which they hadn’t been invited for a long time. It is so meaningful to hear just how excited family is to reconnect back with us, once they can see that we are really working on our stuff. 

Monday mornings are great times at Helping Up Mission. I invite you to join us sometime. Just email me at gbyers@helpingup.org before you come to be sure we aren’t doing something unique that day and will be on a different schedule. I hope you had a great weekend and are having your own Monday morning blessings!

Sincerely

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I guess I really think that these three words ring true with what we see happening here at Helping Up Mission. We are pretty good at giving a man hope very early in his recovery process. As they look around at other guys walking around feeling good about themselves, they begin to believe that they can feel the same way, too. It starts to show on their faces – they are also feeling safe, accepted, appreciated and respected.

Then, after being here a while, men begin finding real answers for the struggles they have been dragging through life for years. They find the Bible to be relevant for their lives and the God of the Bible to be loving, caring and answering of prayers. They also find out that the 12 Steps are a powerful Biblical tool for a spiritual life, as well as recovery from drugs and alcohol.

Finally, after a number of months, men in our long-term Spiritual Recovery Program begin to experience a number of real life changes – transformation. Sometimes they initially see it in themselves, but many times others see it first and begin to tell them what they are seeing. This is when our guys have begun being accountable to each other and begin connecting with church, 12 Step groups, mentors and sponsors. They also begin reconnecting with family (who usually have just been waiting for evidence of this transformation to happen).

This recovery stuff really works. I get to see hope, answers and transformation happening in somebody’s life around here every day of the week. I have also experienced it personally and know the reality of living this way. I hope you are feeling some of the same – it is as accessible to you as it is to each one of us here at Helping Up Mission.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I spent the last two weeks of May excavating in Israel. We returned to the site we dug through the ‘90’s – Khirbet el-Maqatir, 10 miles north of Jerusalem in the West Bank. The geographical, topographical, chronological and archaeological data from the site suggests it may have been the city of Ai that was defeated by Joshua after he destroyed Jericho. While I reprised my role as Administrative Director of the dig, I was only able to stay long enough this year to get things started.

My responsibility was to finish excavating to bedrock the rest of the square where the ancient city gate was located. To be honest, it was a lot of hard work which produced very few interesting finds to show for all our effort. We did not find any additional evidence of city gate construction. We found almost no ancient pottery or other artifacts. But we did expose bedrock – all across the square!

While other people were finding interesting things where they were working and we found very little, I have to admit, I wondered more than once why I even came to Israel. We had to get up every morning before 4 AM and I had work to do every day until 9 PM. I usually love this stuff – but my square was just boring!   

As I thought about it, I decided that my experience in square R17 was a lot like most of my life. An awful lot of what I have to do every day is just not that exciting or a whole lot of fun. But it is important that I do these things – or I will wake up one morning and find I don’t have a car, a house, a job or a wife anymore! Just because something might be boring, doesn’t mean it isn’t important. 

In reality, what we discovered in my square was evidence that the city gate area had been burned by fire in antiquity. That actually fits the story of Joshua’s capture of Ai quite nicely. While it wasn’t really that much fun and we certainly didn’t find anything interesting, we did something important and exposed some data that was significant.

So do what you are supposed to do today, even if it is boring. It will be important and, in the end, you will wind up making a difference in your life or in somebody else's. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

PS If you are interested in reading the story of Ai, you can find it in Joshua 7-8. If you want to read a couple of short summary reports and see a few photographs about this season’s dig, you can go to http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2009/05/Update-from-Khirbet-el-Maqatir-Week-One.aspx

When I arrived here at Helping Up Mission in 1998, I only knew about the 12 Steps through Alcoholics Anonymous. I did not know anything about any individual Step or how they fit together as a unit. I was told they had a Biblical foundation, but did not have any idea what that might mean or look like.

While my role here centered on teaching Biblical Discipleship, I felt the need to become familiar with the Steps. So I memorized and meditated on each Step, adding the next one to what I had already learned – just like I do with Scripture. Armed with only my years of Biblical studies and no 12 Step background, I was amazed at what I found. 

First of all, I was stunned that the 12 Steps were not 12 different things to do to quit drinking (or drugging). In fact, I could only find alcohol (or drugs for Narcotics Anonymous) mentioned in Step 1 (I am powerless over it) and Step 12 (I will carry the message to others who are still powerless over it). The 12 Steps did not focus on chemicals, instead they focused on character. The 12 Steps teach us the character we need to live every day and and which will empower us over whatever the chemical (or the compulsive behavior) with which we might struggle.

Secondly I found that the 12 Steps are organized in a fashion which exemplifies a Biblical spiritual walk. Steps 1-3 focus on the Present – Getting Right with God Now. Then Steps 4-9 focus in the Past – Forgetting the Past by Dealing with it. Finally Steps 10-12 focus on the Future – Living One Day at a Time.

The content of each Step and their organization into an understandable whole is, in fact, a powerful statement of Biblical principles for a spiritual walk – and, oh by the way, they will also keep you clean from alcohol (or drugs). It became clear to me that I had worked through the 12 Steps myself over the years in my own spiritual journey, never knowing that the two were one in the same. That means that I need to practice the same spiritual principles every day in my life that I am teaching the alcoholics and drug addicts in my Spiritual Recovery Program that they need to practice. 

And guess what? The same things that I am practicing and teaching to my guys here is the same good news that people in our churches need to know and practice. I have been spreading the word and am happy to report that good Christian people all over the area are working at applying the 12 Steps to their every day spiritual walk – regardless of whether they have any alcohol or drug issues.

Admittedly, our version of the 12 Steps is a slight revision of the original 12 Steps of AA (over 50 different groups have adapted the 12 Steps to their own particular addiction or compulsive behavior in recent years).  We put Jesus right in there as the God of our understanding and made a few other changes to make them a little more Biblically focused. But the bottom line is this…the Christ-centered 12 Steps for Every Day Life are a powerful tool to help someone develop a spiritual walk – and, oh by the way, they will keep you clean from drugs and alcohol, too!  

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

PS  If you would like a copy of our version of the 12 Steps, email me (gbyers@helpingup.org) and I will be glad to pass them along to you.

As we discuss in class how a man can expect to stay clean every day, I liken our philosophy of recovery to a three-legged stool.  Although someone can stand on just two legs (we would call that stilts) or maybe just one leg (a pogostick!) at least for a while, a three-legged stool is totally sufficient to stand on for a long time. 

We talk about doing our Program (12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program) as the first leg of the stool.  That includes doing our Biblical Discipleship, 12 Step and Relapse Prevention classes along with evening 12 Step groups and all the other aspects of our Program here.

The second leg of our stool is a good home church.  We want every Program member to find a church that ministers to him and then get involved, not just attend on Sunday.  Ideally, each man will also be able to find a spiritual mentor (a man who has walked a spiritual walk for a number of years and who agrees to be a spiritual accountability partner for a Program member).

The third leg of this stool is a 12 Step home group outside the Mission.  Again, we want them to not just attend, but begin to actively participate in the group.  From their home group, we hope they will be able to identify a sponsor (a man who has worked the 12 steps already and is willing to be a recovery accountability partner for him).

Both a home church, home group, mentor and sponsor will become key ingredients of each program member's recovery network.  Their support is just as critical and important as the support they get from the Mission leg. 

Of course, a guy might also have a healthy supportive family which also provides support for his recovery - that is a fourth leg and would make a chair!  But everybody doesn't have that and the three-legged stool is totally sufficient to support any man's recovery at Helping Up Mission.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Richard has been in our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program twice over the past 4 years. Each time, by all accounts he was doing well and, by his own admission, he was appreciating all that was happening in his life. While here, Richard earned his high school diploma (setting a Mission scoring record along the way). He also enrolled in community college and began taking coursework.

Unfortunately, Richard’s drug of choice, alcohol, took over both times and he never graduated from the Program. But, while he was here, he also hooked up with a sponsor from Alcoholics Anonymous, who is also affiliated with the Mission. Our zero tolerance policy meant that Richard could not come back to our facility for 6 months after each relapse. But his sponsor never gave up on him, continued to meet with him and helped him regroup his life.

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of attending Richard’s one year anniversary to celebrate his first 365-straight-days clean from drugs and alcohol for decades. I sat there feeling like a proud papa. While he never finished our Program and will not be counted among our graduates, we are proud of Richard’s accomplishment and consider him one of our success stories. I appreciated the opportunity to teach Richard in class every day and to invest in his spiritual well being. I am so thankful that he did not quit. I am so thankful for his sponsor who never gave up on him. God has been working in Richard’s life all along and Helping Up Mission got to play a small part. Success doesn’t get any sweeter than this. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Helping Up Mission is a place where a man can find hope, answers and life changes. We get to see it happen before our eyes here every day. 

But  I also need to say that every day somebody around here does something that really disappoints us all - a guy relapses,  doesn’t come back after a weekend, meets the girl of his dreams and decides to go be with her or does something in the facility that is cause for dismissal from the Program. People often say to me that my job must be so difficult because of all the disappointments I see, but that is just not the way I feel. For every 1 guy I see making really bad choices, I turn around and there are 10 guys doing the right thing. Sometimes I walk around here feeling like a proud father.

In our Omega class (the third of four phases in our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program) we study the Old Testament book of Esther and the New Testament books of John and Philippians. We are just finishing Philippians and I find myself continually saying to guys in class that I feel like the Apostle Paul as he wrote to and about the Philippian believers. He referred to them as his joy and his crown (4:1). While the folks in this church were far from perfect (see what he says to two of them in the very next verse!), he had such warm feelings about these people that he could only say that their efforts and attitudes made him proud and honored to be associated with them.   That is quite a thing to say about people that are not family. 

While honestly trying to not sound condescending, I am really proud of the guys in my Spiritual Recovery Program and it is my honor to be their teacher every day. This is truly the most meaningful ministry I have ever done and the best job I have ever had. Come on down sometime and check it out for yourself.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director 

On Sunday morning April 26, we had one of those events which can so impact people’s lives. One of our men, just finishing up his Alpha phase of our Spiritual Recovery Program, went to be with the Lord. Richard spend Saturday evening shooting pool and playing cards with the guys in our rec room and went to bed that night with church plans all laid out for Sunday morning. Instead of waking up here on the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street, he woke up in Heaven. 

Rich was 23 years old and the father of two small children. This was his second time here, but all agree that this time he really was working on something and seemed to be genuinely serene. Rich enthusiastically sang in our Graduation Choir last month and was an original member of our Helping Up Mission running team and basketball team – although the general consensus was that he was a pretty good runner, decent singer and a terrible basketball player. 

Partnering with our HUM running team from the beginning has been the organization Back On My Feet (BOMF). At last Friday’s chapel service, we remembered Rich with some music and remarks. One of the people who spoke was  Jaclyn Truncellito, Back On My Feet Baltimore Program Director. I was really moved by her comments and asked if she would allow me to share them with you. 

How much can you really learn about a person in 21 days? Can you learn their deep desires?  What makes them get up in the morning?  What makes them come alive?  Can you really have an impact on someone in such a short time?

 A week ago – I would say doubtful. Today I can stand here and say YES.

 Rich wasn’t even included on the original list of the 10 guys who started. By the grace of God, he was asked at the last minute to join the team - and you’ve got to think to yourself – MAN the team would have been so much different without him! Nobody to take the first spill in team history – missing the curb & busting up his knee. Nobody to make sure your not slacking off on the end of your run – cause if you were – he’d come and get you!  Nobody to give you thumbs up in the name game. Nobody to be the first one to hug you. Nobody to be the first one down at 5:30 with the biggest most genuine smile. And now that he’s gone the idea of the team without him seems empty.

 That’s how you know someone’s made an impact on your life – when you just can’t see your life without them. It’s unfortunate that it takes a loss like this to realize it, to say thank you, to appreciate someone, to tell them that they’ve touched your life.   And we can dwell on missed opportunities, or we can be grateful. Grateful to have been touched, to have been graced by the presence of God not just through Rich but through all my team members every day – that is beautiful. To know that God exists because of the way He’s allowed our paths to cross – that is beautiful. To come to know the gift of strength, healing, empowerment and perseverance because of that light you see in another – that is beautiful. 

 Rich was on his way to do great things – and though he’s no longer here to finish the journey – I have no doubt he would ask us to continue what he started….to keep running, to keep fighting, to keep struggling, to keep kicking all the way to the finish.

  Eternal rest grant unto Rich, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in your mercy.   Amen

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Yesterday was a great event in the life of Helping Up Mission. We graduated 131 men with over 1400 people in attendance. As usual, the undergraduate choir and band stole the show! And those desserts were just kicking! 

Everywhere I turned I saw folks representing churches and ministries who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in ministry – and they looked so proud of our guys. As I looked around the room, I kept seeing people who work with our strategic partnering organizations that offer so many wonderful services to our men here. They were beaming. The room was filled with so many donors and volunteers that I see regularly at the Mission – some standing with us for years and some just joining us this year – and they had tears in their eyes. 

My wife and I had 5 tables of friends from Frederick County and Montgomery General Hospital with us. Many are veterans of our Graduation Banquet, while it was a first for others. I cried as I watched MGH staff hugging (and crying) over the change they saw in former patients. For all I know there were even some police officers and judges in the room who also recognized somebody they knew!

My responsibilities yesterday allowed to be on all 3 stages in the front and I saw the love and support in the faces of folks from one end of the room to the other. In my class at the Mission this morning, the undergraduates in our Program – who sang in the choir, played in the band, ushered, greeted and did the behind-the-scene program directing – were so fired up (and even teared up) as they shared their feeling about the event.

It is my privilege to serve as an “assistant innkeeper” (see Luke 10:30-37) to the men at Helping Up Mission. It is my honor to be that “assistant innkeeper” and work with so many wonderful Good Samaritans (see Luke 10:30-37). Thank you to all our Helping Up Mission family.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Recently someone summed up what happens in our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program – at Helping Up Mission a man can find Hope, Answers and Transformation.  The first time I heard it, that thought rang true for me.  I have been here for 10 years and it pretty much sums up what we see happening on a daily basis.   

When a man first arrives, we try to treat him with respect and let him know all the possibilities there are for him as he stays clean, sits still and connects with God.  You can often see it in his face as he begins to believe there is Hope for his life.  Then, after he has been here a while – sitting in class, plugging into all the services we have available and connecting with some of the wonderful mentors, tutors and other volunteers who serve here – you can see something else happen. Man after man begins to find real Answers to life questions and challenges which used to baffle him. 

When most men join our Program, averaging 40 years of age and 23 years of active addiction, they have lost everything – and one year clean is an incredible challenge for them, let alone a lifetime of recovery. But Transformation happens here daily – and experiencing it one day at a time leads to an exciting spiritual walk and a lifetime of recovery.

Hope, Answers and Transformation are accessible and available to every man who comes to Helping Up Mission. Thank you for your support which helps make it all possible. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

With 400 men in residence every night, some significant event happens in the lives of somebody here daily. Those events can be positive or negative, but they are always happening. Good things include graduation from our Program, obtaining high school diplomas, getting new teeth and dental work finished, reconnecting with family members, starting a new job and closing out all legal problems.  Among the bad things are family crises, men relapsing or leaving early without graduating. One or more of the above happens here every single day of the year. 

I don’t suppose I will ever get over the loss I feel when we lose good guys, but neither will I ever get tired of hearing how good things for going for others. Jeff will graduate next month. He stopped me on the street this week and told me how thankful he is for what has happened in this life this year at Helping Up Mission. He was always pretty quiet in class, and I was not sure he was getting it. But this day Jeff began describing to me how his whole world has turned around during this past 11 months and how excited he is for the future.  Jeff was so full of hope that I got genuinely excited just listening to him.

The Bible is very clear that God only promises us today (Proverbs 27:1). But, when you think about it, He also only asks from us one day at a time. While here, Jeff has learned to do this “one day at a time” thing. And he has been equipped to be able to do it for the rest of his life.  God is good.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I watched the memories of “ER” last night and then the two hour finale. I was watching through teary eyes for three hours. I wondered why, it’s a TV show for goodness sakes. The reason, which I really knew all along, was the tears weren’t because the show was emotional, which it was, the tears were for the memories of my two girls on the floor in front of the TV 15 years ago when the first episode aired. Every Thursday night, my wife and kids forgot for a moment that dad was a mess and mom was mad. Every Thursday night we were a family united in one show we all loved. I cried because I realized that though I wrecked my life and a lot of people in my path, God allowed me moments in time, when all was well. Moments in time when my daughters knew their dad loved them no matter how messed up he was. I believe it is those moments that God allowed me, that were the motivation, to get with God and put the demons down and be able to have more moments and build more memories. Sorry to see ER go, but I will cherish the memories of my daughters on the floor in front of the TV giggling and my wife and I sharing a smile, for the rest of my life. AA taught me to live one day at a time, God continually reminds me to take in one moment at a time. Thank you Lord.

One day at a time is also working for me. Hope you have jumped on board, too.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Now that demolition of our original 1029 East Baltimore Street building has begun, we have 60 fewer beds that we used to have. Consequently we had been reducing numbers by attrition for a few months and did not bring any new clients into our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program for 5 weeks. Just now we have started bringing in new guys and I am really enjoying our class times. 

These guys are not any different from those who have come before – averaging 23 years of active addiction, almost 3 years of incarceration and 1 out of 3 without his high school diploma. But this group does seem to have a little more openness to what we are saying and to what God might want to do in their lives. 

While I know people are finding recovery all over the city, I often hear that the way we do it here is unique. Our focus is really quite simple – sit still and listen to God. He will talk to you.  In fact, He has been talking to you, but you have not sat still long enough to hear Him for quite a while. 

So sit still here and just listen. Once you hear what He says, then you have to decide what you want to do about it. Why not decide to try and do what He says – and then just see what will happen. He will meet you right where you and take you to the next level of both your recovery and spiritual life.

Sit still and listen to God. It is such a simple thing, but in our present busy world, it seems so hard to get around to it. Yet, if we don’t finally stop and listen, He will do what it takes to shut us down for a while and make it such that we have few other options. 

So please pray for our guys to sit still and listen to God, and then to do what He says. It might also be good for you to just take some time and do the same.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Of all the things we do here here at Helping Up Mission, I think what we do best is offer a real sense of hope to men.  Most come here pretty beaten up - both physically and emotionally.  They generally feel defeated and just don't see how they can turn this thing around.  But that is exactly where God want them to be.

As long as we think we have the brain-power or the willpower to do this in our own strength, or by our own ability, we are destined to come up short again.  The secret to finding real and lasting hope is a simple formula - I CAN'T, HE CAN, SO LET HIM.  

Consequently, when most guys join our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program, they have already  acknowledged there own personal I CAN'T - and it involved lots more than just drugs or alcohol.  At that point, you can also begin to see another change in their thinking.  Once they can now admit "I can't," they can begin to contemplate that HE CAN.  Maybe it is for the very first time, or maybe it is just the first time in quite a while, but a guy begins to really believe that God is able to help and loves him enough to be willing to help.  

At that point, there is one more critical choice to make.  If I really can't (whatever the issue) and He really can, then I just need to decide to LET HIM do whatever it is that I can't and He can.  

It sounds so easy - and that is exactly how God set it up.  This stuff is designed for anyone to be able to get it.  It is, in fact, the basis of the first 3 of the 12 Steps.  And it is my privilege is to be there every day in the classroom and watch the transformation begin.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

This morning we got the Helping Up Mission running team back up and...well, running!  At 5:15 AM, our team of Program and staff members (including Executive Director Bob Gehman) joined the folks of Back On My Feet in the inaguaral run of their new chapter in Baltimore.   

Back on My Feet (BOMF) is a non-profit organization that started in Philadelphia and has just opened its second chapter here in Baltimore.  It mission is "to promote the self-sufficiency of the homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem."  So this morning BOMF, MCVETS and Helping Up Mission (that would be HUM to keep the acronyms going) started out with over 60 people in a one mile jaunt along the streets of Baltimore.

While a couple of local televison stations were on hand for this historic run - I was not!  Just couldn't make myself do it.  But I am enthuisastic about the program.  As a former high school track coach and a longtime runner, I know the spiritual values that come from the disciplines and comradary of running.  Participation in this group activity is wonderful for each man's recovery.  It gives him one more reason to sit still for one more day - and one day at a time is the path to a lifetime of recovery. 

I am excited for each guy in our Program who has made to committment to participate on our Helping Up Mission running team.  We are very pleased to be partnering with Back on My Feet.  We are all committed to running with patience the race that is set before us - looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).  

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I saw Don today at our weekly Friday chapel service.  Every Friday we recognize the men who have moved up a level in our Program or have achieved some other accomplishment during the week.  Don graduated two years ago, began working at Johns Hopkins Hospital  and moved out on his own.  He still comes back here every Friday for our chapel service - to remember where he has come from and to offer his support to the men who are following behind him.

Today Don made it a point to look me in the eye and say that it was birthday – 65 years young.  Then he said that it was because of Helping Up Mission that he made it to 65, that he is working and that he is enjoying life like he does today. 

I love Friday chapels – as we celebrate each victory a man has along his recovery journey.  I love it when we recognize the graduates each week (we had 3 more today!).  I love it when our alumni, that are making it every day out there in Baltimore City, keep coming back here to support the next guy. 

If you have a friend or loved one who is struggling with addiction (or you, yourself), do not give up!  This is something God specializes in – men and women all over Baltimore are finding answers and experiencing recovery.  I know it works – I get to see it every day here at Helping Up Mission.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Here at Helping Up Mission, I get to see firsthand how God is working in men's lives and families.  While I am excited about every day that every man spends clean, I can't help but be enthuiastic about men who are graduating.  I already told you about last Friday's graduation - we normally take men into our Program every week of the year, so we graduate men every week one year later.  Last Friday was the first time in our history that we ever graduated 7 men in the same week.

It was very exciting for me to hear each one of these men share his story about his year at Helping Up Mission ( I shared about him in my 11/11/08 blog).  James talked about arriving with no real interest in spiritual things,but finding a real spiritual walk.  He also told about his new smile courtesy of the Mission's dental program, obtaining his high school diploma, completing a job training course and getting placed in a new job - all in one year.  He couldn't believe how much his life had changed, and his family couldn't either. 

That is why Helping Up Mission exists and what your support of time and resources produced this past 12 months.  A pretty good return on your investment, I would say.  Thank you for caring and sharing.  

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Today is our first chapel service after closing down the 1029 East Baltimore Street building, where our chapel has stood for fifty-five years.  Over the next fourteen - sixteen months, while that building is being renovated, we will have our Friday chapel services in the cafateria of our 1023 East Baltimore Street building.

We will do the same things we always do - music by our worship team, a message from Bob Gehman and certificates for each man who has progressed to the next phase of his program.  Yet, it will seem quite different in the new surroundings. 

But another thing that will make today's chapel service special is that, for the first time in Helping Up Mission history, seven men are graduating in the same week.  Last week we graduated five, tying our all-time high, and today we break the record.

While a new record is nice, and a great way to start things off in the new surroundings, the really wonderful thing is that these seven men have found answers for their addiction struggles and have been able to help the next guy do the same.  This is why we are here, why we are renovating the old building and why we purchased and renovated 1023 East Baltimore Street three years ago.  Helping Up Mission is one man helping another find answers and develop a meaningful spiritual walk - and that can happen in any building on the block! 

Thank you for your continued support.  I hope you will come down and join us for chapel one of these Fridays.  Either way, please do keep the men of Helping Up Mission in your prayers - one day at a time.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

On Friday February 27, 2009 we had our final chapel service in the old Helping Up Mission building at 1029 East Baltimore Street, after almost 55 years of ministry there. We had all the current members of our Spiritual Recovery Program, staff and Board of Directors along with volunteers, donors and friends. 

An Alumni singing group, One Step Up, and our current Helping Up Mission worship team provided music. We watched a PowerPoint presentation of historic photos of the Helping Up Mission campus (the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street)  and Bob Gehman shared his personal memories of 15 years of ministry in that building. We also graduated 5 men from our Program – tying an all-time record for graduates in one week. 

After the service, we began to take away from the building the things that we wanted to keep for the future. Pictures from the walls, the prayer rail, the front pews, and the cross at the front of the chapel were all removed. After demolition begins this week, we will take the chapel’s pillars and the maple hardwood floor to be incorporated into the new building.  I am also planning on giving a small piece of the floor to each one of our graduates and alumni as a remembrance from where they have come. It is as one of the Board members reminded me, you don't put new wine in old wineskins (Luke 5:37-38) -- and it is time for the new wineskin at Helping Up Mission. 

Helping Up Mission is a special place. But it is not a building – it is a ministry, a cause, a commitment to serve others. It represents all that is good about Baltimore and what can be done for anyone who is looking for answers in life. It is my privilege to work here.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Next year, at Helping Up Mission, we will celebrate 125 years of continuous ministry in downtown Baltimore. Of course, neither Bob Gehman nor I were around in those early days (although he is older than I am!), but we will all stop and pay honor to the wonderful men and women who have come and gone before us in this work. It will be a very special time and we will want you to join us – so stay tuned.

But this Friday, we hit another milestone – our last day in 1029 East Baltimore Street, as it exists today. That afternoon we will lock all the doors and demolition crews will begin the process of taking down the old and bringing in the new. While the façade will be kept standing – it will actually be restored to how it looked when it was renovated in 1930 – and we will keep some interior architectural features, 16 months from now we will have a new five story building to house the central aspects of the Mission’s recovery programs.

Historical records indicate that the original structure located at what is now 1029 East Baltimore Street was a home built for publisher William Pechin in 1807.  After decades as a private residence, in 1874, it became the Kelso Home for Orphans of the Methodist Episcopal Church. From 1889 to 1897, the building served as the German Branch of the YMCA, with alterations including a new gymnasium (the Mission’s famous maple hardwood “chapel floor”). Soon after, the building was raised to its present four stories and was known as Philanthropy Hall, a public meeting place. Purchased and refurbished again in 1909, it became the largest Hebrew day school in Baltimore – the Baltimore Talmud Torah – serving, at one time, as many as 1500 students. In the late 1920’s it served a short time as the Baltimore Conservatory of Music and was then renovated in 1930 (back to the future!) as the Workmen’s Circle Lyceum (a club promoting socialism and Yiddish culture). 

Helping Up Mission bought the property in 1955 and it has housed our programs for over 50 years. Many staff and program members (past and present) have fond (and some not-so-fond!) memories of events in that building and this Friday’s chapel will be our farewell. Many of you also have memories of activities in 1029 East Baltimore Street and you are invited to join us this Friday at 1:30 PM in the chapel.

While we say thanks for the memories, we enthusiastically look forward to the new building and the opportunities it will afford us to better serve men in our city. 1029 East Baltimore Street will continue to be a place where men can come and find hope and answers for their lives. Helping Up Mission – 124 years and still going strong. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

One of the most inspiring things about my job at Helping Up Mission is meeting the folks who volunteer time here.  There is a genuine enthusiasm from our volunteers which offers a whole new avenue of hope to the men in our Program.  Our men feel not-forgotten, important and even respected as individuals worthy of someone else's (generally a perfect stranger - at first) time and interest.  I can tell you that our men are greatly enriched by the presence of our volunteers.

I also hear the volunteers, themselves, talk about how blessed they feel after spending their time here.  Carter has been coming weekly to help in our Development Office for over 5 years.  Rachel and her husband came to serve Thanksgiving dinner here 3 years ago.  She works full-time as a nurse, but makes it a priority in her schedule to help in our kitchen one day a week.  Last night I met a new math tutor, an engineer recently moved into the area, who has just started working with our men. 

I am humbled as I meet these folks and realize who they are and all they do.  They consider it a valuable use of their time to come and invest in our men.  This is a wonderful place – where young and old, rich and poor, educated and not-yet-educated, spiritual and seeking meet together and share. 

I truly thank God for all the members of our extended ever-growing Helping Up Mission family.  It is my privilege to work with them.  

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

PS  If you would like to volunteer time with us or would just like to take a tour of our facilities and get to know what is going on down here (and that includes sitting in on one of my classes), just contact Kenny Weir in our Development Office (x 144 or kweir@helpingup.org).

This weekend my wife and I returned from my 4 week archaeological excavation at Tall el-Hammam in the Jordan River Valley. Our site is considered by scholars to be Abel Shittim of Moses’ day (the last place the Israelites camped on the east side of the Jordan River). We are interested in the site because we think it may also be the location of Sodom of Abraham’s day – some 500 years earlier. 

My duties at the dig are as Field Archaeologist and Area Supervisor, which basically means I get to boss around all day people who paid their own money to come dig with us and who had to live with my constant haranguing! But we did get some work done and they really did move some dirt.

This was an incredible dig season – maybe the best ever for me, personally. I loved the hotel, the buffet (especially the chocolate desserts!), the people who dug with us, the local Jordanian people we met and, oh yeah, the dig site. 

We found many wonderful things that make an archaeologist giddy with excitement – which included the mudbrick walls on stone foundations of a house, some 7 feet below the surface, along with its ancient doorway, and lots of pottery - all from a time even earlier than Abraham.

It was a wonderful time for me – but now I am back and ready to go to work. I will continue to do what I know best, that is boss people around and constantly harangue them to do what I want! Boy, it’s good to be home.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I am getting ready to leave on Wednesday for my archaeological dig in Jordan.  We are excavating in the Jordan River Valley at a site called Tall el-Hammam, that might be Abel Shittim from Moses’ time and maybe Sodom from Abraham’s time.  I  am grateful that my wife gets to go with me!  We will be staying in the 5-star Movenpick Dead Sea Resort and Spa – one of the reasons I go on this particular dig!  This is our 4^th season at this site and we really enjoy the time (and the January/February weather in the Jordan River Valley!).

I got into archaeology as a pastor in the 1980’s, as a way to understand the people of the Bible better.  My studies at and graduation from  Baltimore Hebrew University, in the 1990’s, gave me the training I needed and the Associates for Biblical Research gave me the opportunity to use my training out in the field. 

The value of archaeology for me is how it illuminates the Bible and brings the stories to life.  It has strengthened my personal spiritual understanding and walk.  Here at Helping Up Mission, the guys love to see my photographs of what we have been doing and I will try to give them regular updates while I am gone.  Hopefully we can get some of them on as blogs, too.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

PS  you can read an article and see some photographs from our dig site that has just been posted this month at the Associates for Biblical Research’s website (www.BibleArchaeology.org).  The article is listed on the homepage under “What’s New” – Tall el-Hammam: A Personal Perspective.

One of the things I love most about working at Helping Up Mission is meeting the folks who volunteer to invest their time with our men. Some serve as recovery sponsors or as spiritual mentors, while others tutor in our Innovative Learning Center (ILC) or spend time helping in the kitchen. 

We also have a board of directors who personally invest in our guys. Every week a number of them are on the campus spending time with the men in the Program. There are also a bunch of other folks who show up all the time and bring all kind of items for the guys to have and use.  Then, of course, there are so many for who also regularly donate money to fund our daily program. 

One of the most recent folks who has volunteered time here at Helping Up Mission is a newcomer to Baltimore. He is a member of the new Ravens coaching staff and first visited us on Thanksgiving and then again on Christmas. He spend hours just sitting around the cafeteria tables talking to our guys – never once mentioning the Ravens. It was just man-to-man spiritual talk about recovery and life.  He and I have been communicationa and he has promised to come back down again to speak in my classes - after the Super Bowl! 

We are blessed here at Helping Up Mission because of all the wonderful people who invest in us. It is my privilege to serve here, too.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I am happy to report that I regularly hear of prosecuting attorneys and judges in our city, throughout the state of Maryland and even in surrounding states who really care about helping addicts find recovery and get back on their feet as productive members of society. While committed to making our communities safer, many in our legal system understand that an addict in recovery can not only quit being part of the problem, but can genuinely become part of the solution.

Just recently one of our men was sentenced by a judge in another state. The both the prosecutor and the judge were impressed with the possibilities of lasting recovery and life-change for this man at Helping Up Mission. He was guilty of some pretty serious offences due to his drug addiction and could have faced significant time in prison. But they also saw something that suggested to them the hope of real and lasting change in this man’s life. They were willing to take the risk and sent him to Helping Up Mission – for our one year program and extended aftercare.

I am hopeful for his recovery and new life as a productive member of society. I am also hopeful as I see the efforts and commitment of prosecutors and judges to help men and women struggling with addiction get the help they need to make a permanent life change. 

As we enter 2009, I am excited about the opportunities to affect men's lives here at Helping Up Mission.  When they change, their families change.  When enough families are changed, the community can change.  Working together, under God, we can make a difference in our city. 

Have a wonderful 2009.  Keep us in your prayers...and come down and spend some time with us as we work on changing Baltimore one life at a time.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

On the day after Christmas, it might be helpful to contemplate one of the great truths that comes out of the Christmas story.  While our traditional understanding of the story is one of rejection and being alone, I would suggest a careful reading of the text, as well as an understanding of the Biblical world, actually leads to the opposite view. 

As an archaeologist, every year I teach the Christmas story to the men in our program.  As we read through the Christmas story in Luke 2, I point out where it contradicts our traditional nativity scenes and the children's Christmas play we do every year in church.  The text doesn't mention a barn, a quote from the innkeeper or even a reference to an innkeeper! 

To continue...baby Jesus was probably not born the night they arrived and the wise men did not make the manger scene at all.  In fact, the manger was probably located on the ground floor of Joseph's ancestral home in Bethlehem and the "inn"  was the second floor guest room of the same house!  Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus would have been surrounded by family that day.  While my reconstruction of the story makes some people mad, I think it is the correct way to understand the Christmas story. 

The overlooked messasge of the Christmas story is that it is not about rejection and being alone – just the opposite. It tell us that God the Father made sure His Son was born into this world surrounded by family. The Christmas story is about inclusion and a reminder that family is important to us and to God. He doesn’t want us to be alone or try to do our spiritual walk by ourselves. Family is critical and essential for our own wellbeing. 

But some would say their biological families aren’t available or are not healthy to be around. Jesus added some important insights to this idea about family. When His own mother and brothers came to speak to Him one day, He pointed out to the crowd that His mother, brothers and sisters are those who do the will of His Father in heaven (Matthew 12:50). Beyond biological family, there is spiritual family – and everyone should be connected somewhere. 

One of the great lessons from the first Christmas is the wonderful truth that God wants us all to have family and be connected. Especially during the holiday season, when many who have suffered loss do feel alone, the Christmas story reminds us how important family is – biological or spiritual – and we need to be connected and help make sure others are, as well!  

So, let's work on this concept for 2009 and get plugged in somewhere.  I can assure you that it is God's plan for your life.  

Sincerely,             

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

P.S.  I just finished writing a short article on this subject that will be published next Christmas.  If you would like a copy of my draft, I will be glad to pass it along.  Just email me and I will send it to you. 

Last week I visited Dave, a old friend, in one of the local hospitals.  Battling cancer, he is presently in a wheelchair without the use of his legs.  While there is genuine hope for his treatment, there are no guarantees. 

I had prepared myself to buck Dave up with good words of confidence in God, despite our circumstances.  Instead, I heard his absolute confidence in God's goodness, faithfulness and perfect plan.  Dave had no doubt that God had placed him in that hospital at that time and in that condition for a very specific reason.  It is the Christmas season and he will not be home with his family, but Dave saw a bigger picture.  He believed God was in complete control regardless of the circumstances he found himself in that particular day. 

Needless to say, I was inspired by what I heard.  This man was not broken by his situation - instead, he was confident that God was doing his perfect work in his life at the very time. 

What an important life lesson.  When we can get to the place that we are able to let God be God in our lives, we can be set free from the need to try and pull something off or put something together.  At that point we really will be comfortable to say "God really is good!'   

It is my hope for you this Christmas day, with whatever you are facing this year, that you will be able to trust that the God behind the Christmas story is there with you, too.  He is -- and He wants to use the particular situations in your life right now to do something special in your life.    

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

All the men in our Spiritual Recovery Program really struggling with the consequences of their addictions.  But as they get honest, open and willing, they begin to see how God can move in a make such a difference.  Here is what one of the guys wrote this week.

God gave me two wonderful Christmas presents today.


Last week I asked several of you to pray for a very dear friend who had graduated the program at Helping Up Mission and was working as an intern when some things overwhelmed him and he “went back out.” He started drinking again.


He left the program and we didn’t hear from him for a few weeks. Then he showed up here in our parking lot one very cold morning, drunk, hungry, smelly and suffering from hypothermia. We got him some clothes, coffee and food and got him into a detox. Later we heard he had left the detox.


Again we didn’t hear from him for a few more weeks. Then last week he showed up one afternoon. He had IV tubes sticking out of him and a hospital bracelet, and he was very drunk. He said he’d been living on the streets and the police had taken him that morning to a nearby hospital for detox, but he had walked away again.


When he was here he had done well and was role model to many. The guilt from thinking he had let everyone down was consuming him. The solution he had come up with to deal with his guilt and remorse, it seemed to me, was to try to drink himself to death, and was doing a very good job of it. It broke my heart.


I did everything I could think of to assure him that we loved him unconditionally. He just kept saying, “But I’ve messed up, I’ve messed up so bad.”


“Yes, you’ve messed up,” I told him,” but we still love you and we want you. This is home and it’s safe. But you have to be sober.” We took him back to the hospital and told him that when he had finished detox to call and he could come back in the program.


I had expected to get a call earlier this week. When none came I was pretty sure my friend was either back out again or already dead.


Because I’ve been sick most of this week I’ve out of touch with much of what’s gone on in the program. So imagine my pleased surprise when I walked into chapel this afternoon, the time when men are officially welcomed into the program, and there was my friend. Still a little unsteady on his feet, but alive, sober and home with people who love him.


That was just the first of the two presents God gave me today,


Facing Christmas as an about to be divorced person has been, at times, very difficult, for me, especially not taking part in beloved family traditions. One of my very favorite traditions has always been on Christmas morning. The first thing we do, after everyone is up, is sit around the tree and I read a particular passage of Scripture. We then spend some time thanking God in prayer for the coming of Jesus. Several times this week I’ve been very sad as I contemplated not being part of that tradition this year.


One of the other pastoral counselors and I alternate weeks for reading the Scripture passage for the message in the weekly chapel service at Helping Up Mission. Today was the other counselors turn, but he has laryngitis, so he asked me to read. Because I’ve been so sick all week I begged off and wasn’t even planning on going to chapel.


About a half hour before chapel was to begin I felt a rush of energy and decided to go ahead and attend. Chapel, because it is the time that men come into the program, move up to the next phase of the program and are recognized for finishing the program, is a pretty big deal and I don’t like to miss it. When I got there I said that would do the reading.


When our executive director came in and gave me the text he was preaching from I saw that it was the same one that I read with my family every Christmas morning for 27 years, the Christmas story from Luke. I was nearly overwhelmed with emotion. I felt like Jesus was saying to me, “It’s okay. I’ve got you.” I won’t be able to read this for my family this year, but on the last chapel before Christmas, I got to read it for the people who have become like a new family.


God is very good.

Thank you for your love and support of our Helping Up Mission family, especially at this time of the year.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Every day here at Helping Up Mission we work with men who were trapped in the mire of the drug culture. We know what has been torn down can be rebuilt if the destructive behavior is stopped. But every attempt to rebuild will be ruined if the destructive behavior is not arrested.

Maybe one day the City, State and Feds will all get together and carry out government’s primary responsibility and give our communities the safety they need.

When that happens watch the communities bounce back and the city rebuild itself!

We had scheduled a special session about the Dead Sea Scrolls where textual scholars came and shared with us dirt digger-types some of the latest research on those Scrolls and what they tell us about the Biblical text.  You probably know that there is nothing among the Dead Sea Scrolls from the New Testament text.  Everything there is related to the Old Testament text and a specific religious group (probably the Essenes).  At least a fragment of every book of the Old Testament has been identified except Esther.

The speakers were to address the impact of the Scrolls on Biblical studies today.  To be honest, if you listen to the Discovery or History Channels, you might get the idea that the Dead Sea Scrolls do not really lend support to the view that our Bible today has been accurately transmitted to us.  But these guys shared the most recent research and how it does give us confidence in the text of the Old Testament that has been passed down to us today.  In fact, one of these Dead Sea Scroll scholars (usually a pretty dull and technical lot!) was almost enthusiastic about how we can trust the Old Testament text and how clearly it pointed to Jesus.  The Dead Sea Scrolls, written years before the New Testament was composed and even before Jesus was born, made Messianic statements that were fulfilled in Jesus’ coming and have been accurately transmitted to us today.

So, just in case you had some doubts, you can be confident that the Old Testament has been carefully and accurately passed along to us today and that it pointed toward Jesus.  We can trust God’s Word and that means we should have a Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Using right up to the time he arrived here about 10 weeks ago, Vern had managed to not be welcomed back home or at work.  In fact, when dust had all settled and the smoke had all cleared, Vern the drug addict had pawned Vern the musician’s guitar and amp in order to get some money to go and use. 

At that point, somebody brought him to Helping Up Mission.  After getting clean and beginning to think clearly again, Vern renewed his spiritual commitment to God.  He also recommitted his musical talents to the Lord and wanted to play in our worship band  – but he had pawned his equipment. 

Then one day, Vern’s sponsor showed up at the Mission with his guitar and amp!  He had learned that Vern had pawned his equipment and started paying monthly on it so the broker would not sell it.  Then, when he believed Vern was ready for it, he went and paid off the pawn broker and brought Vern’s guitar and amp to him at the Mission.  That following Friday, Vern played in our worship band at chapel with great joy and gratitude.  He was thankful to have his own equipment back…he was thankful for his spiritual and loving sponsor…he was thankful to his Heavenly Father for another change to be the man God had made him to be.  Thank you, Lord.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Thanksgiving Day at Helping Up Mission is always a special and fun time.  Every year there is lots of really tasty food and we always share it with new friends.  Some of our new friends are folks living nearby and looking for a good meal, while others are volunteer servers who take the time to come and serve the meal. 

Many of our volunteers come and serve for a couple of hours here and then go on to a Thanksgiving dinner with their families elsewhere.  Others just decide to just make our Thanksgiving dinner their Thanksgiving dinner.  They come and serve, then sit down and eat themselves and then just hang out with everybody else.  They might even go watch a little football or even take a nap, too! 

It is not all that uncommon for us to have more volunteers than we actually need here on Thanksgiving Day, because so many people are so willing to roll up their sleeves and go to work serving others.  This year our Volunteer Services said that my Program staff had done such a good job getting men reconnected to their families, that most of them were having Thanksgiving dinner away (!) and we had fewer men in the cafeteria than expected.  So what did our volunteers do?  After serving everybody else, they just sat down and talked to the people they were serving.  It was awesome – all over the cafeteria, folks were engaged in meaningful conversations over a warm cup of coffee and good food.

While our volunteers did not work as hard as usual, I think they had a much greater spiritual impact this Thanksgiving than ever before.  Their interest in the people they came to serve and their conversations about significant and spiritual things was the greatest Thanksgiving service they could ever hope to provide.

The Helping Up Mission family is a big one and includes the many folks who support us financially and in prayer, as well as those who come down, roll up their sleeves and serve.  Thanks to all of you who volunteered your time and energy this Thanksgiving – you made it a special day here for us.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Director of Spiritual Life

Their presence with us demonstrated their support for rebuilding the lives of broken men and building a better Baltimore.They're coming back again next year !! 

Sincerely,

Robert K. Gehman

Executive Director 

      We are going through major economic and political changes in our country. Regardless of our political persuasion, there are things about the outcomes of the Presidential election we can all celebrate!

      The first cause for celebration on my list is that the son of an immigrant and an African American will be occupying the most powerful seat in the world. We’ve come a long way from those horrifying days of slavery. This election victory came about as a result of a long, hard-fought campaign that was the most organized, disciplined and well financed in the history of our country. The campaign defeated strong opponents and connected with a movement for change in our country.

       What kind of changes will come from a man who is a son of an immigrant, a member of a minority race and whose character was shaped by struggle? It’s too early to tell. At least for now, Barack Obama brings hope to a lot of people for a change.

Sincerely,

Bob Gehman

Executive Director

Then he graduated from our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program and he was so happy his mother could see the change in his life.  Ray went back to college and graduated and it made him feel good to be doing the right thing and to know how much it meant to his mother.  Then he graduated from college, got a good job and felt like a productive member of society again.  And he knew how proud momma was.  Last month Ray moved out of our graduate transition housing into his own place – a final major milestone in his life.  This is the kind of man he had always wanted to become, living in recovery and walking with God in a meaningful way.     

On the day Ray moved in to his own place, his mother passed away.  While he was sad to lose her, he knew where she was and he did not feel despair.  Ray rejoiced that his mother had lived long enough to see him join our Program, experience recovery, graduate from our Program, attend college, graduate from college, start a good job and get his own place – all before she went to her Special Place.  Ray is so thankful that he made the commitments and choices that he did, when he did.  Today it empowers him to do just one more day.

Sincerely
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

James took this time to go through a Job Readiness Program and just graduated a few weeks ago.  And it was at James’ graduation that his father said he never finished anything.  Dad was definitely proud that day.  And James isn’t finished finishing!  He has also now just finished all his work for his high school diploma through the state’s External Diploma Program (EDP) here at Helping Up Mission and will be receiving his diploma shortly.  He will graduate from our 12-month Spiritual Recovery Program in the Spring. 

Even more, you can see a different James when he walks in the room, speaks to you or looks you in the eye.  James is growing in his maturity, recovery and spirituality.  Not a bad year for a guy who has never finished anything in his life!

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

Shortly after that, he said he wanted to try and find his sister.  They had not be in contact for some nine years, she moved out of state while he was incarcerated and he had no idea where she was.   He asked me to pray with him and I did.  Then Harold added her to his daily prayers for his sons.  I have prayed for Harold’s sister – that she was okay and that he could reconnect with her – every day for about 4 months.  Nothing was happening, and while I was glad to pray, I began to wonder if we would ever be able to find her.

This morning, Harold came into my first class and said he had an announcement.  He turned to me and said he had a message for me – from his sister!  With the help of one of our program interns, Harold found her phone number in North Carolina and called her last night.  He told her how we had prayed every day and this morning he told me, “my sister said to tell you thanks for praying – it really works!”

Sincerely,

Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

It has been a very meaningful thing for me to understand that the 12 Steps do not focus on chemicals, addictions or compulsive behaviors.  In fact, in the original 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, only Steps 1 and 12 refer to alcohol. Instead, the Steps focus on character.  Each Step is designed to take us deeper into practicing character qualities that can empower us over whatever our situation or problem is. 

Here at Helping Up Mission, every week we focus on a different character quality that we should learn to practice in our lives.  This week’s quality is Security – structuring my life around what is eternal and cannot be taken away or destroyed.  People, places and things will let us down and if we are focused on them, we will be disappointed; but things eternal  in nature will never change or go away.

Today is a historic day in American history.  But when it is all over, whether our candidates win or lose, down the road we will all eventually be disappointed that what we hoped would happen will not.  So it is really important that we develop a spiritual focus on eternal things which, regardless of people, places and things, can never be destroyed or taken away from us. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

When we feed the hungry and hurting men of East Baltimore, we remember that we are continuing a tradition that began on this location in 1877, led by a local pastor, Rev. Edmund Didier. He built this facility to serve as a fellowship hall for the community, offering an alternative to the diversions available at the street corner and local tavern. The new building was named Carroll Hall to honor Baltimore’s first bishop, John Carroll. Pastor Didier’s vision included feeding the poor of Jonestown, out the back door.

The men come in the front door these days, and we have the privilege of watching their personal transformation. They change from being empty in body and spirit to becoming new creations in Christ. Meeting their physical needs tells them that we care, and allows them to hear the Message that awakens their souls!

Sincerely,

Luke McCusker

Director of Food Services

I don’t see either one of them much these days, because both in the final phase of their 12-month Program.  They were both smiling and excited about life.  Michael is working everyday (just got a new job), while Tyrone is in college studying to be an addiction counselor.

I remembered all the praying we did with Michael as his family struggled for housing – and how God was faithful and came through with the right help at the right time.  I remembered when Tyrone went through some tough times here, but regrouped and got into his college program.  Both said how grateful they are to God and Helping Up Mission for all that is happening in their lives today.

You know, I forgot all about the cold.  In fact, I couldn’t wait to get out of the car and back to work.  Man, I love my job!

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

Bill has two grown children and this past year both of them independently took a page from dad’s playbook and just dropped out of sight.  For almost a year, neither Bill nor his wife knew where they were, or even if either was in a safe place. 

Of course, Bill was battling with his own addiction issues and life got pretty difficult.  He joined our year long Spiritual Recovery Program and began to pray to reconnect with his children.  Now, Bill is a pretty quiet guy and doesn’t do too many things very loud.  So one day he came to class and quietly said to me, “Prayer works!  We prayed for my children to come home and this last week both of them contacted their mother and are coming home.”  Wherever they were and whatever they were doing, God saw them and spoke to them – independently – and they listened.  This was not a coincidence, but a direct answer to prayer.

Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

One of the exciting things that we do here at Helping Up Mission is help men earn their high school diplomas.  In partnership with the South Baltimore Learning Center, our men can participate in a diploma class where they prepare to earn their diplomas through the State of Maryland’s traditional General Education Diploma (GED) or the newer External Diploma Program (EDP). 

Three months ago Ervin got pretty discouraged in the class.  Unfortunately, that is pretty common among men who have been out of school for awhile.  The good news is that most work through it.  At that point, Ervin was assigned to write a paragraph and this is what he wrote: 

I dropped out of school in the 10th grade.  In 1982, I went to Dunbar at night to get my GED, but I didn't finish.  Last year, I went to BCCC for my GED, and I did not finish.  Now I'm here at Helping Up Mission, and I'm trying again.  My diploma is very important to me not only for employment but also for personal reasons.  There is so much I need to do and so much I need to learn.  I am afraid I can't do this.  I want to give up.

To his credit, Ervin let the class read his paragraph.  Then other men decided to share their struggles, letting Ervin know he was not alone.  Class that day was a miracle.  Guys supported and encouraged each other to do the next right thing.  Ervin decided to stay with it and to get extra tutoring, which helped him fill the gaps in his knowledge of the subjects where he was struggling. 

Now, three months later, he has almost completed the External Diploma Program.  He is doing so well, and feeling so good, that he is even taking an advanced computer class in the evening these days.  Recently, Ervin wrote another paragraph as part of his entrance into the External Diploma Program.  Here is what he wrote:

This is the time in my life to finish the GED I never finished.  I dropped out of high school in the 10th grade.  In 1982, I went to Dunbar High School for my GED and didn't finish.  Last year, I went to Baltimore City Community College to get my GED, and I did not finish.  Now I'm here at the mission and trying it again.  To receive my high school diploma is very important to me.  This is my time to finish.

This is why I come to work every day.  Man, I love my job!

Sincerely,

Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

So, he got a copy of his credit report to identify the financial obligations he needs to address.  He found that he has $2,200 in credit issues to clear up.  Then he went to the Internal Revenue Service and checked on the problems he was pretty sure he was going to have with back taxes. 

To his surprise, he finds that he does owe the IRS anything – instead, they owe him!  Want to guess the amount?  That’s right $2,200!  Ernie couldn’t believe it.  God is giving him a clean slate to start fresh again. 

Just for the record, God does not do this kind of thing just for drug addicts and alcoholics who want to a second chance.  In fact, He wants to do it for anybody.  He would love to do it for you, too.

Sincerely,
Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

We are all wondering and worrying about the effect the economy will have on organizations like Helping Up Mission. Even more, what about the poor who depend upon the “HUM's” of the world for their basic needs? Since we don't know the future, maybe we should be prepared for the worst. Until our economy stabilizes, maybe we lose our sense of balance because we can't plan the future by looking at our history.

I've been thinking - - - maybe God wants it this way so we don't rely upon our good planning, or lean on our own understanding. Maybe we are to simply trust in God’s promise to provide for all our needs. One thing is for certain – God’s economy is stable and we can invest in it with confidence. Our investments are insured by God’s ability to keep his word.

So we move forward preparing for whatever God wants us to experience; knowing if it is the worst from our human perspective, it is always good from His. We will survive because God really does care about the poor and he blesses those who help him care for them.

In God’s care,

Bob Gehman

Executive Director

The accompanying photo of “Team HUM”, our running team for the Baltimore Running Festival, was taken in front of the Mission during one of our training runs.  It was used in some of our promotional material regarding our “Facing The Challenge” campaign. We recently received a wonderful comment from someone who saw the photo that I thought you might enjoy reading.   

"I love this picture; it has a lot of visual poetry.

“The open door is welcoming, and this feeling is reinforced by the fact that the movement in the image is moving toward the door - not away.

The fact that both doors are included shows the growth of the organization. The running captures the hard work and the grinding perseverance required to overcome an addiction.

But running is often seen as a solo sport; and here, the idea of "helping up" is reinforced by the group. The phrasing of the sign "serving Christ since 1885" not only brings to mind longevity and the ‘long road to recovery’, but calls to mind Hebrews 12:1-3.

“This is a wonderful and meaningful piece of art, and my dad is in it :-) "

      Margaret McGough

Margaret’s father, Barry, is second from the left in the black shirt and shorts.  I am the guy behind him.  He beat me in the race, too!

Sincerely,

Gary Byers

Spiritual Life Director

I did it! I completed the half marathon--13.1 miles. Crossing the finishing line was making personal history. I was so tired and the last three miles seemed so long but the joy of reaching a new goal after months of training was truly inspiring.

I was reminded that mountains can be moved in our lives and new goals achieved one training session at a time. Prayer, patience, hard work under the supervision of an experienced trainer and the encouragment of a fellowship of people are ingredients that help us break new ground. I'm considering how these ingredients can be applied to other areas of my life. One success can lead to another and another and another.

I'm also really grateful to all the sponsors who supported the Helping Up Mission team. While I was running, I thought about the $50,000 of donations that were pledged to help our men in our long term recovery program. That thought kept me going to the end!  

Sincerely,
Robert K. Gehman
Executive Director

Almost every day, somebody speaks up in class and reports how what we prayed about yesterday, last week, or even daily for a few months, has come to pass.  They are so excited and grateful to God!  It really is a special time as man after man experiences God’s grace and power in his life, and it is a really powerful encouragement to the next guy to give prayer a try, too.

Steve has been struggling since he got here about his family.  While he is here – getting help, finding answers and feeling support – his wife is out there in the city living in active addiction.  Every day, faithfully, he has put her on the prayer list and every day we pray for her and her situation by name.

This week, Steve came to me just beaming.  His wife is no longer on the streets – she was picked up by the police and incarcerated!  I never saw anyone so pleased about a loved one going to jail…but Steve knew this was an answer to his prayers and he is now trusting God for the next step in her life.  The whole situation has had a powerful impact on Steve and the guys who know him. 

I am happy to report to you that God is alive and well in East Baltimore.

Sincerely,
Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

P.S.  If you have any special prayer requests you want the men of Helping Up Mission to pray for, send it to outreach@helpingup.org.

Last Saturday, 14 men and women from Helping Up Mission - 5 staff members and 9 Spiritual Recovery Program members - "Faced The Challenge" by their participation in the Baltimore Running Festival - a first for the Mission!  Program member Robert Dickson pushed himself to the extreme and completed - yes, completed - the Full Marathon (26.2 miles).  Completing the Half-Marathon (13.1 miles) were Executive Director Bob Gehman, Spiritual Life Director Gary Byers, Staff Member Tom Henry, Intern Barry Smith, and program members Herb Carsten and Josh Sandlin.  Six others completed the 5K (3.1 miles): Finance Director Andy Gorode, Executive Assistant Kate Maguire, and program members Arnold Bowman, Brian Carter, Frank Handley, Michael Kirksey, and Michael Monroe.

We celebrate the personal accomplishments of each person who perservered this past weekend.  Each runner had a personal goal to finish his own race - and each faced the challenge of extended training and personal sacrifice to achieve this worthy goal.  In a larger sense, though, the runners were thinking beyond themselves.  With each step in the race, the runners were representing the 400+ men who reside at Helping Up Mission every day - Facing the Challenge of homelessness and/or addiction to alcohol or drugs.  Recovery and restoration from these debilitating conditions requires the person to Face the Challenge - one step at a time, one day at a time.

So, we celebrate the runners of Team HUM!  And we also celebrate the men who are Facing The Challenge to overcome the hurts, hang-ups, and habits in their lives - with the hope of realizing permanent change in their lives.

If you'd like to see more photos from the event, please click here: Baltimore Running Festival 

One of the most fun things I do here in class is help guys learn the books of the Bible in order.  We start with the newest men in our Program, our Seeds of Hope class.  You can see it on their faces, when we begin.  “What…27 books in the New Testament...39 books in the Old Testament, and all those funny names?  I can never do that!” 

Then we get started.  This week, in 30 minutes, eight men quoted the books of the New Testament in order from memory.  The lessons from this little exercise, for everyone in the room, are huge. 

First, men who assumed they had burned out most of their brain cells, realize they can memorize and learn. 

Second, brain rehabilitation occurs when a man stops using and begins to apply his brain to repetitive, positive, recovery-oriented mental exercises – there isn’t a much better mental exercise than learning God’s Word.

Third, this is basic training and solid preparation for their personal spiritual journey.  

In our military, a good soldier must know his or her weapon inside and out.  They learn how to break it down, clean it and put it back together – sometimes by a stop watch, sometimes with a blindfold, sometimes both.   Since the Bible is the Sword of the Spirit ((Eph 6:17), as spiritual soldiers, we really need to know it inside and out, too.

Sincerely,
Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director

P.S . If you want some tips to be able to memorize the books of the Bible in order in 30 minutes,\ yourself, just email me and  I would be glad to pass them along to you. 

Helping homeless addicts get sober and experience recovery is very challenging. It is so very rewarding to see a person who is with out hope, who is powerless over chemical substances become able to manage life and be reasonably happy. It is also heart breaking when a person doing well suddenly relapses and drops out of the program or worse ends up in jail or an early grave. Chemical addiction is a progressive disease that leads to death if not arrested. It is serious work!

But some times we just have to lighten up and not take our selves so seriously. So we celebrated "recovery day" recently. The staff served the program members and wore crazy hats. We all needed to laugh and we did. Humor helps get us through the hard times. We need more laughs. Take a look at the photos taken at our recovery day lunch. If one of those photos makes you laugh that will be good.   

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

Today we will honor Mayor Shelia Dixon here at Helping Up Mission. As an organization we do not, nor are we legally permitted to get involved in political campaigns or endorse candidates. But it is very important to have the support of our elected officials. And we are blessed to have the support of our Mayor.

She will arrive at noon and leave at 1:30PM. We will welcome her to our new dining hall and introduce her to our staff and program members. I will present her with a Salute Certificate and invite her to address the audience. We will have lunch and take a tour. After the tour I hope to have some private time with her in my office to share with her some of Helping Up Missions future plans. We need her support for future projects as well as her advocacy for HUM as she moves around the city speaking to different groups. Oh, and we will promise to pray for her and partner with her to serve the needs of the poor.   

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

 My talks this week will include an Introduction to Archaeology, Great Discoveries in New Testament Archaeology and The Origins of Israel Debate.  I have prepared all my notes and PowerPoint slides and will give them all the archaeology I know about each of these subjects. 

But at least once during the conference I will point out that the real proof that the Bible is God’s Word is not what we dig up in the dirt – that stuff just demonstrates the Bible is an historically accurate document.  What really demonstrates that the Bible is God’s Word is the impact that book has had on our lives.  The message of the Bible has dramatically changed my life.    

I get to see that truth reproduced here at Helping Up Mission every day.  The impact the Bible is having in the lives of men here is nothing short of supernatural.  I know the Bible is true – not because of the artifacts I have dug up, but by the powerful change it has produced in the live of countless men here at Helping Up Mission.  It is my great privilege to be a regular part of that process.

Sincerely,
Gary Byers
Director of Spiritual Life

P.S. If you want to know about the stuff in which I am involved, you can see more about it at:
http://www.biblearchaeology.org/
http://www.tallelhammam.com/

Recent events in our country and around the world remind me that we are so fragile. Even the wealthy and most powerful people among us are humbled quickly. My conversations with people who understand the financial markets and the economy really don’t understand the depth of our problems and how to fix it.

For a long term addict who wants to get well, the beginning point is a  revelation of powerlessness, and the need for help from a power greater then ourselves. Only then does real help come. That spiritual place of admitting our powerlessness might be the place where our country’s leaders need to  be to begin solving our nation's financial woes. True humility helps addicts overcome addiction, it always helps me overcome my issues. I know it will help our country overcome its addiction to money and power as well. I believe humility and total trust in God one day at a time will lead us through these troubling times safely.

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

Well, Nate didn’t come and went back out to his addiction instead.  But he kept Leslie’s sealed letter with him.  After a few months, still in active addiction, he pulled out her still sealed letter and decided to open it.  He read what she said about him and thought about the possibility of finding answers at the place she recommended. 

This time, Nate decided to follow through and brought Leslie’s letter to the Mission.  He joined our Spiritual Recovery Program, but then got arrested for past offenses (see my blog on 9/23).  He served his time and returned to our Program last week.  He was really pleased to see Leslie today – and she was pretty happy to see him here, too!

So many folks do so many wonderful things to help men get to Helping Up Mission and find hope.  Thanks to all of you who do, and thanks also for all of you who support them once they are here.

Sincerely,
Gary Byers
Director of Spiritual Life

Yesterday Pat Goodman, a teaching pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Timonium, shared with me a challenging and inspirational thought. He said, "You can radically change your life by making small life changes.” I know he is right.

I’m training for the Baltimore Half-Marathon on October 11th. We’re raising money for the men at Helping Up Mission. That means setting time for running four times each week. It  means reordering my life so 8 hours of running time is available. So, I get up an hour earlier each morning and I experience the beauty of sunrise. I go to bed earlier so I don’t watch TV in the  evening when I normally want to snack. I’m losing weight, getting fit and  praying while running.

Yes, running is hard but it is changing my life in a variety of ways that I need and want. When I think of not showing up for training, I remind myself that the price of not running is one I’m not willing to pay. Like Pat said, little changes with real commitment and staying power can really change our lives!

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

Occasionally one of our Program men winds up incarcerated over past issues.  When he gets locked up we always put him on our daily prayer sheet.  Then, every couple of weeks we write to him.  Men who came into our Program when he did write a note of encouragement.  But other men, who came in since he left and have never met him before, also write.  They know him by name, since we have been praying for him every day, and many of them have been right where he is. 

We have been praying for Jose this past month.  A couple of weeks ago, we sent his a letter which included notes from 40 different guys.  This week, we received a letter back from Jose, including a personal note to everyone of the guys who wrote him, thanking them for their words of encouragement and support. 

Frequently, the men who get locked up for a short period are able to come back here to us.  Tony was one of those guys – and a recipient of  5 months of this kind of letter from our program members.  So appreciative of their value to a man’s life behind bars, he has taken in upon himself to oversee this ministry of writing to guys. 

You can’t manufacture this kind of love and concern for others – but it happens when someone gets real about their own life and spiritual walk.  If you would like to join your prayers with ours for the men on our list this week, please remember Jason and Alan.  I will also keep you updated in the future on how it is going in the lives of each one of these guys.  Thanks for caring.

Sincerely,
Gary Byers
Director of Spiritual Life

When people hear what I do every day, they usually say something like, "Boy, that must be a difficult job!"  They can't imagine that working every day with a total population of 400 addicted men, in downtown Baltimore no less, would be anything but the most difficult of duty assignments.

Yet, if you have ever spent much time down here, you know that exactly the opposite is true!  People love coming down here to the 1000 block of East Baltimore Street and doing what they can to support the men who are in recovery here.  I absolutely love my job!  God put me here and it is the most meaningful thing I have ever done in my life.

But... this doesn't mean that every day somebody doesn't break my heart - which is, of course, what folks meant by the quote above.  Yes, EVERY day I hurt over a decision one of our men makes.  But EVERY time that happens, I look around and see 5 men who are really working on something and really finding answers.  Then I run in to a graduate who has been clean, back with his family and working 3 years - and I know that all is well in East Baltimore.  Thanks to the many of you who help make this a reality every day!

Sincerely,
Gary Byers
Director of Spiritual Life

Yesterday I met with our HUM running team.  We will all be running in the Baltimore Running Festival on October 11.  We all talked about the hardship and challenges of training.  But, we all saw the overriding benefits of mental, spiritual and physical health.  We are all amazed at he changes we are seeing in ourselves as a result of disciplined training.  We can do more than we think we can.

We all agreed we would not be doing this if we did not have the support of the group and the accountability it provides.  It occurred to me at that moment of sharing how we must rely on one another to help us change our lives.  We cannot make huge changes on our own.  We need the support of the group.  It is true in overcoming drug and other addictions and it is true in running a marathon!

Sincerely
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

Some days remind me about some things I already know but need further grasping: take one day at a time; be more prayerful throughout the day; be diligent and do your best every day and leave future results and outcomes to God.

Yesterday we worked hard to find a way to bring all the ingredients of a project together.  And, we are getting closer to funding our Phase II construction project!  The new building will have 60 Emergency Overnight Guest beds, space for all the support services for over 400 men in our Spiritual Recovery Program and a new chapel.  The cost will be $6,100,000.  We are about $1,900,000 away from making it happen.  A $1,000,000 gift prospective funder is reluctant to commit because we are not yet ready to show we have enough to finish the project.  Understandable.  Will we get enough of the remaining $1,900,000 to secure the $1,000,000 gift?  All we can do is work hard and pray.  Refuse to worry.  Trust God with the results!!  God always works life out the way that is best and at the right time.

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

I was in church one evening with my four children waiting for the service to start.  Some people were coming from a place called "Helping Up Mission" to present their ministry.  I had never visited the Mission but remember passing by it several times while driving through Baltimore City.  At the time, I remember praying, "Please God, don't let my car break down in this neighborhood!"  I suppose I harbored the typical stereotypes about homelessness and addiction that most people do.  In short, I was scared to death.

But, something happened that evening as I was listening to the stories of the men and how their lives had been transformed by the power of Christ.  I was deeply moved and compelled to visit the Mission for myself.

When I first came down, I was really scared.  Although I am a nurse and was planning on volunteering my professional services, I remembered thinking, "I'm just taking a few blood pressures and I'm getting out of here!"

If you have been to the Mission, you will know what happened next.  I was greeted by warm, engaging residents and staff who were grateful that I had visited and appreciative of anything I could do.  I had no idea what I was going to do or how I would fit in.  I don't think the staff knew either.  But, everyone was open to God's leading and willing to move forward in faith.

I can not begin to tell you all that has happened since then except to say that the blessings have been so great that I can hardly contain them!  I believe this is what you can expect to happen if you choose to get involved at Helping Up Mission:

1.  You are in for the adventure of your life!
2.  You will think you are bringing hope and healing to others but will discover that you are the one that
      is healed in the broken places of your life.
3.  You will be swept up by the tide of passion and faith of the people you are called to minister with
      and will find yourself at a whole new level in your faith journey.
4.  Your spiritual walk will be radically changed as you see God at work in the lives of men and in your
      own heart.
5.  You will meet God here.  When you are at the Mission, you feel incredibly close to God and this 
      causes you to embrace the Mission and not want to leave.
6.  As a result of all these things, you will find yourself hopelessly addicted to Helping Up Mission!

Sincerely,
Dr. Mary Lashley
Helping Up Mission Board Member & Volunteer

Our Food Service department is a vital part of the ongoing success of Helping Up Mission.  Feeding a large community on a modest budget is an ongoing challenge to our team.  A large part of our job is the planning of meals with constantly changing resources.  Writing our menus and planning how we will perform them is an exciting part of our week.

We rely on a crew of 40 men in our program to make this happen.  Each man comes to Helping Up Mission with their own story and work ethic.  Every man has a Divine appointment with us.  God's reason for sending them our way may be to establish a pattern of productivity in their lives.  Some need to learn to work with others in a more cooperative way while others are thrilled to feel needed and vital to our campus' culture and health.  Many of our men find important jobs in the community once they begin the Life Prep phase of the Spiritual Recovery Program.

Watching a man change from self-centeredness to a servant of others gives great joy to our staff.  We love being part of this transformation (Romans 12:1-2) !

Sincerely,
Luke McCusker
Manager of Food Services

David Y. came to Helping Up Mission after more than two decades of drug addiction, broken in body and spirit. He felt defeated and hopeless.

Since coming to HUM David has seen medical professionals that have addressed his most serious health concerns. Every week he sees a therapist who is helping him address his emotional issues. As his health and emotions are reviving David has begun to feel a sense of hope that has made him open to spiritual matters as well.

David has begun reading the Bible for the first time. After a few weeks of jumping around at random he decided to try reading straight through from the beginning. He read in Genesis up to the account of God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac and then, at the last minute, providing a ram to sacrifice in his son’s place.

That Sunday David went to church with several other clients. The pastor preached from the same text in Genesis that David had read just a couple of days before. Coincidence? David didn’t think so. He is convinced that God is speaking to him, and, for the first time in his life, David is trying to listen.

Sincerely,

Gary Byers

Director of Spiritual Life

Last evening we had our monthly board meeting.  I was reminded again that knowing "where" you are going and "why" helps you to know when to say yes and when to say no.  It clarifies decision making and makes difficult decisions easier. 

Last evening we made a decision not to receive State funds for our next construction project.  We did not want to take any chances of having to restrict religious activity.  The new building will have a new dormitory for overnight guests and space that will provide support services for over 400 men in our program.  But, it will also have a new chapel and classrooms where religious activity will be conducted on a daily basis. 

The State cannot fund religious activity.  We did not want any confusion.  And we wanted total freedom to use any part of the building at any time to teach the Bible.  We want our spiritual Recovery Program to have the best of Christian spiritual life teaching possible.  That is "where" we are going.  And we know "why".  Without spiritual help, hearts won't change.  If hearts don't change, people won't change.  So, the decision was clear but still difficult.  Our Board was right in turning down hundreds of thousands of dollars of state funds for the construction of a building that will house our religious activity.  God will provide!!!

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director
 

Helping Up Mission is very blessed to have the support and friendship of many elected officials.  Yesterday late afternoon, my very good friend, state Senator Larry Haines from Carroll County, brought six of his Senator colleagues, Senator Frosh, Senator Brochin, Senator Jacobs, Senator Mooney, Senator Forehand and Senator Simonaire for a tour of Helping Up Mission.  They are all members of the Senate Judicairy Proceedings Committee.

We spent an hour and fifteen minutes together discussing how we, as a faith-based organization, help 400 men with 25 years of drug addiction and 31 months of incarceration time get well.  Their interest was piqued and their questions were great.  All gave words of encouragement and some offered their help.  Regardless of what people say about our state government, we really do have some good people in Annapolis.  I'm very grateful for their support.  We need it!

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

Marshall S.* is married with four adult, or nearly-adult, children. While his kids were growing up Marshall tried to consistently teach and model for them that integrity, honesty, kindness, forgiveness and good character were important traits to which they ought to aspire. Then Marshall, as one of the HUM teachers puts it, “really pooped out.”

A couple of years ago, during a time of deep depression and severe stress, Marshall began drinking heavily and crossed the line into alcoholism. He was drunk almost every day and when he was drunk he often acted very badly. He drove while drunk, sometimes with his children in the car. He was often out-of-control angry, verbally abusive and was even violent with his wife and one of his kids. Marshall gave his children plenty of good reasons to be angry and resentful. He feared that they would cut him off and refuse to ever have anything to do with him again. If they did, it would be understandable, he thought.

What could Marshall do to repair the damage he had done to his family? He desperately wanted to do something to help his family heal from the trauma he caused them with his drinking.

Over and over again though the only advice Marshall got from HUM staff was to “sit still, work on getting better, and pray.” Since following directions is the first step in successful recovery, Marshall decided to follow the advice. He participated fully in the HUM program and prayed every day for his family.

Four days before Father’s Day this year Marshall talked to his older daughter. She asked if he would come to dinner on that day. When he got to the house not only was Marshall’s daughter there with her husband and his granddaughter, but so were his older son and younger daughter. Throughout the day Marshall’s family expressed forgiveness, acceptance and love for him.

After dinner everyone had small gifts for Marshall. The last gift he opened was a journal given him by his daughter. On the inside cover she had written something that Marshall used to say to her every day when she was little. She wrote, “For Dad, On Father’s Day, I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the next.”

Sincerely,

Gary A. Byers

Director of Spiritual Life

Today we had a planning meeting.  Agreement was reached among the planners.  The outcome could be a new women's program similar to the one we have for men.

We do not have the resources to start such a program.  But, that doesn't mean we should not plan as though we do!  It has always been my experience that when you plan like you have the resources, do all you can do, God always shows us the next step.  One step at a time, He leads us to our destination.  If we waited for all the resources to be in place before we start a new program, we would never get started.  Planning is the foundation and inspiration for that which is new.

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

Luke McCusker, who heads up our food services at HUM, took the call in his office.”Hi,” his caller said, “I have a food donation I’d like to make and I was referred to you by the Maryland Food Bank.”

“Great,” said Luke, “what would you like to donate?”

“I have some chicken,” the caller said.

“Wonderful, our men love chicken.” Luke replied. “How much do you have?”

“I have a bucket and half of Kentucky Fried Chicken, plus a side of mashed potatoes and cold slaw.”

” Ah, you do know that we have 350 men in our program?”

“Yes.”

 “Okay, I’m sure we can we put your bucket and a half of chicken to good use. When will you drop it off?”

“Oh, I can’t come drop it off. I need you to come to my house in Columbia and pick it up.”

Each year over 30,000 people give sacrificially to Helping Up Mission. It takes donations of more than $3 million dollars a year, plus thousands of articles of clothing and toiletries, thousands of hours of professional services (medical, psychological, dental, and legal) and, yes, thousands of pounds of food, to keep the programs of HUM operating. Help us a you can.

Sincerely,

Gary A. Byers

Director of Spiritual Life

Many people contribute to the success of Helping Up Mission's program - including homeless addicts in the program.

Example: Today a program member presented a written case statement advocating for the expansion of the sports program.  He discussed the health benefits (physical and psychological) as well as developing team building skills.

But, the point I really like was his observation that none of the team members during softball season dropped out of the Spiritual Recovery Program.  Sports help men in the program stay longer!

He had a plan to expand the sports program so more men would stay in our Spiritual Recovery Program longer. 

A program member saw a need. To him, the need presented an opportunity to help others and himself.  He brought commitment to his passion.  I have the feeling the sports program will be expanded!

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

Shon P. has been to jail seven times. He hates it. “Every time I even think I might be going to jail, I become extremely anxious and deeply depressed,” said Shon. When he came to HUM Shon was facing possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia charges, plus a failure to appear (FTA) warrant from another jurisdiction.

Shon was ready to flee again. He had a bus ticket in his pocket and was planning to take off the morning of his trial. But the night before, he spent several hours praying. Earlier that day in his discipleship class, the teacher had told Shon that there was nothing wrong with asking God to let him come back to HUM rather than being sent to jail. It was even better though, the teacher said, to pray for God to help him accept whatever was best for him, even if that meant going to jail.

“While I was praying that night something told me, ‘It’s going to be okay,’” Shon said. In the morning, one of the program staff members took Shon to court. There, he pleaded guilty to all the charges and then gave the judge a letter from the HUM program director describing the treatment and training he would receive if he returned to HUM. After a few minutes reflection, the judge gave Shon probation before judgment, sentenced him to probation for one year, and sent him back to HUM to finish the program.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Shon. “Not only did things turn out better than I even hoped for, but all through the process I was at peace for the first time ever.

Sincerely,

Gary A Byers

Director of Spiritual Life

Today I met a member of the House of Delegates at the gym.  As we were conversing he said, "You must really have challenges working with 400 men in your program at Helping Up Mission!"  He visited the Mission but he had a hard time understanding how 400 men with an average of 20 years of addiction and 30 months incarceration time could all live together in a peaceful and organized manner.

I shared with him that managing the program was always a challenge.  But, it is not my greatest challenge!  My greatest challenge is fundraising.  That is what keeps me up at night - keeping our thousands of donors in touch with the human souls who need their help every day.  If we don't do that effectively, giving drops.  If giving drops, people are hurt because they don't receive the help they need.  Keeping our beautiful donors in our hug is the really big challenge - especially in these uncertain times.

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

P.S. After I wrote this message to share with you, I opened today's Baltimore Sun and the first thing I saw was this article, "Need Rises As Giving Falls"!  It talks of the struggle of area non-profits to meet the increasing need for assistance in a time when giving is decreasing. 

James graduated from our Spiritual Recovery Program in June of 2008.  Clean for over a year, he’s got a home group, a sponsor, a home church, and a mentor, which indicates that he’s working faithfully and diligently on his recovery.  He’s also been employed regularly and dependably at his job – which has unusual hours – for about six months.  James still lives at the Mission in our Graduate Transitional Housing. So while he still lives here most of the new men don’t know James. Even those that are familiar with him don’t see him or get to speak with him very often.

So when James’ mother died and it was announced at the daily Morning Affirmation time, and prayers were offered for him, many of the men asked, “Who’s James?”  Since few know James personally, you would assume his troubles might not mean much to other guys. However, that’s not how God works.

Cards and letters were obtained by clients and passed around for everyone to sign.  It was all their own doing, showing thoughtfulness for a brother who was hurting.  Even though they may not have known him, the men here knew James was in pain and mourning his loss.  And they were there for him.

Furthermore, half a dozen men and a pastor came to the funeral. 

James continues to work on his recovery, work at his job, and is prayed for and ministered to by so many who care here at Helping Up Mission.

THAT is how God works. 

Sincerely,

Gary Byers

Director of Spiritual Life

I often think about writing a book on the wisdom that comes from addicts in recovery.  Today, a program member shared with me a concern.  He said we need to be careful about implying that our circumstances in life must change before we can really experience life.  The truth is, we must learn to experience life now, accept it, enter into it fully without depending on our circumstances changing.  Maybe our circumstances will never change.  But, WE can change!  And we can experience a full and deep life.  How true!  And that is what our Spiritual Recovery Program is all about.

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

Program folder. Bible. Workbook. Handouts. During the first couple of weeks at HUM men are given a number of things that they need to carry with them to their classes. Richard G. was struggling with keeping track of all his things. It was just too much to carry. He dropped things. He lost things. He was getting frustrated and angry. What he needed, Richard thought, was a book bag. Many of the other clients had book bags. How could he get one? 

Richard asked one of the staff how he could get a bag? “The book bags were donated. We’ve given out all of the ones that we had. They’re all gone. I’m sorry.”

That same day in the discipleship class the teacher said, “If you need something, pray about it. Prayer really works. If Jesus thinks you need something, he’ll make sure you get it. I’ve seen it happen over and over again.”

That night Richard asked God to get him a book bag. The next morning a man he didn’t even know walked up to him. “Can you use this?” he asked, as he handed Richard one of the recently donated book bags. Richard couldn’t believe how quickly God had blessed him, providing exactly what he asked for. But God wasn’t finished blessing Richard just yet. He wanted Richard to know just how abundant His blessings can be.

Later that same day Richard was working on the front desk when a truck pulled up. The driver came in and said, “I have a delivery for you.”

“Who is it from?” Richard asked.

 “I don’t know,” the driver said.

“Who is it for?”

“There’s no name, it just says it’s for Helping Up Mission.”

“Okay, I guess I can sign for it,” Richard said.

The driver started bringing in boxes, 16 of them. Richard opened one box, then another, then another. Each box was filled --- with book bags -- 500 of them in all. Sometimes God uses something as seemingly insignificant as a little fabric book bag to illustrate the abundance of His grace.

But God was still not finished blessing Richard.

The first week that he was here someone stole a pair of Richard’s shoes. While chatting with a visiting church group Richard shared about his stolen shoes. Before they left one of the group members called Richard over and gave him a bag. In the bag were two pairs of shoes.

Even then though, God was not finished showering blessings on him.

Richard needs glasses. He can’t read without them. Most of the Bibles we have at HUM have very small print. Richard couldn’t read his Bible or do his class work and homework. He mentioned to an intern that he had trouble reading his Bible. “Would you like to have a large print Bible?” the intern asked. “We just had one donated yesterday.” Now Richard spends several hours a day reading and studying his large print Bible.

As God continues to bless him Richard’s faith in God grows. He is finding that what we say in our morning devotions every day is really true. “God is good, all the time.”

Sincerely,

Barry M. Smith

Intern

Yesterday I was on my way to a T.V. taping by the City Cable Station, Channel 25 for the show "Faith In Action".  Helping Up Mission was invited to participate.  The location was New Shiloh Baptist Church.  I got lost (no GPS!).  Time was running out.  I called for help.  One of our staff members, Keith Daye, is a member of New Shiloh.  He asked where I was.  I didn't know.  Suddenly I realized I couldn't receive help without knowing where I was.  I found the street address.  Keith knew exactly how to direct me.  I got there just on time.

I was reminded that before we can receive help, we must do the work to discover the truth about where we are in our lives.  We must know where we are going.  And, we need a knowledgeable guide to direct us.  This is the helping work we are doing every day at HUM for 400 men in our programs.

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

“I won’t do it. I just will not testify against my girlfriend. If they call me, I’ll lie.”

Frank H. was talking with a HUM intern about the upcoming trial of his girlfriend Jessica.  She was charged with arson and looking at some serious time in jail. He had been called by the State’s Attorney’s office as a witness for the prosecution.

“Frank, recovery is about more than just not using drugs. Recovery is about becoming a better man and doing the right thing,” the intern said. “You have to tell the truth.”

“I won’t do it. I won’t help put Jessica in jail,” Frank replied.

“You know what the pastors here always say,” said the intern, “You don’t have to worry. Jesus has got this. The only way that Jessica will go to jail is if Jesus thinks that’s what’s best for her. Just trust him.”

When the day of the trial arrived Frank prayed, “God, I don’t want to do this, but I’ll do it. I’ll do what’s right.” He was ready to testify for the State. At the courthouse, though, Frank discovered he wouldn’t need to testify after all. The State had decided to drop the charges. Right there in the courtroom Frank dropped to his knees and thanked God.

Day by day Frank is learning to trust Jesus to make him into a better man and do what is right. And day by day Jesus is taking care of Frank and the people in his life.

Sincerely,

Barry M. Smith

Intern

Today started with an early morning run (6 a.m.) from HUM to the Inner Harbor, Aquarium, World Trade Center, Science Center and Rusty Scupper Restaurant.

My son, Rob, joined me - we're in training to run the Half Marathon here in Baltimore on October 11th.

Getting out of bed early to run was very hard for me.  I had to remind myself why I'm doing it - to stay healthy and raise money for homeless men who want to change their lives.  Running with my son was a real help - his company was an encouragement.  His pace was faster but I needed his accountability.

As I was running, I thought of the men in our one year program.  They need hardness to stick to the program.  They must constantly remind themselves of why they are committing to a year-long spiritual recovery program.  If they don't, they will be in jail, the hospital or an early grave.  If they do, they can have reasonably happy lives with friends, family and community.  Answering the "why" really helps me to stay focused!

Sincerely,
Bob Gehman
Executive Director

Every morning clients are invited to write down prayer requests which are then prayed for by other clients and HUM staff in the morning discipleship classes. As men begin to come out of the fog of addiction and realize how much pain and suffering they caused their loved ones, it is their families they most often ask prayer for.

A couple of weeks after arriving at HUM Keith M. began asking for God’s help in locating his daughter. “Because of my addiction I haven’t had any contact with my family for several years. I’d really like to see my daughter, but I don’t know where she is.”

Keith continued to work on his program during the initial 45 day blackout period. As he saw changes in his own life he began to hope that he might actually have a life after addiction. “Sit still,” Pastor Gary always says, “do what we ask you to do and God will often return to you the things you gave up in your addiction.”

The week after his blackout period Keith went for a walk through the Inner Harbor. There he ran into a woman from his old neighborhood. “Do you know where my daughter is?” he asked.

“Sure, I see her all the time. Would you like to go see her yourself?”

That afternoon Keith was not only reunited with his daughter but he met a six month old grandson he didn’t even know he had. When he left his daughter’s house that day he was invited back for the following weekend. Keith now plans to work on rebuilding his family. What drugs tore asunder God is putting back together.

Sincerely,

Barry M. Smith

Intern

Every year about this time I lose sleep worrying about how we're going to raise the money to operate our recovery programs that serve 400 men every day.

It's always this time of the year when our new budget is approved.  Every year the budget is bigger than the year before.  But, every year we make it!  So, why do I worry?  I think my faith in God's provision needs time to increase and be large encough to be comfortable with the bigger numbers.

I'm learning that organizational growth happens as my faith in God and his promises grow.  Today I'm not going to worry.  God is big enough to handle the new $4,791,000 budget!  "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." - Phillipians 4:19

Sincerely,
Robert K. Gehman
Executive Director