Ever wonder how and why someone could walk away from mercy? Have
you tried to help someone and they only seemed to become more angry
with you? Here at Faith Discipleship Center (FDC), we have seen many
residents leave unadvised. The last few months have been difficult –
loaded with many disappointments and hair-pulling situations. Even in
all that, the Lord is prevailing among certain souls! I shall testify
to both.
In the first two months of my time here, I witnessed two men make
foolish choices in words and actions which caused their dismissal.
Grieved and discouraged, I wondered whether I was in the right place.
Then in October of 2016, Jesus was speaking to me through a
conference the entire FDC attended in Michigan. He was confronting
one of my passions. He spoke this to me: “You must care for the
residents to the point where it causes you pain to see their pain.”
Up to that point my self-protective pride was keeping me from deeply
caring about the men in my flock. I did not want to feel the pain of
disappointment if one of them failed. It was good of the Father to
give a clear word about that and I clung to my commitment.
One man, fresh out of jail, arrived at FDC repentant and ready
to draw close to Jesus. I discipled him, and the Lord grew us both
through this relationship. I saw things in him that mirrored my own
weaknesses, which helped me to repent and continue helping him. In
the course of time, this man got a job, and at this point his passion
for work started to replace his passion for Jesus. When I confronted
him about this, he didn’t hear me. His passion for Jesus never did
re-emerge. A couple months before graduation, his grandmother died,
and his faith was tested. We were all rooting for him to finish this
program, but he decided to leave a month early. When our passion
isn't for Jesus, life’s problems become insurmountable; however,
when Jesus is our passion, we become willing to do just about
anything – even a 9-month program.
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David D
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Even among many disappointments there are tokens of encouragement.
Not all is doom and gloom. David D, who arrived shortly after the
previous described resident proved that it is a small world. I had
met his mother and step-dad through friends in Wisconsin before I
ever moved to Iowa. There was no referral on my part, but just a
surprise to them and me. It was very ironic and most comforting to
have a fellow Wisconsinite among us. David has been an exemplary
resident, helping others with fitness and diet regimens, and setting
a good example by taking the program seriously. Let's hear it from
him.
My name is David and I have been a resident at the Faith
Discipleship Center in Oelwein, IA for close to eight months, with
completion of the program slated for May 2017.
I grew up in a mid-sized city in Wisconsin where alcohol is
a major factor in many social events. I attended college in
Wisconsin, and alcohol became a lifestyle. After graduating, it
followed me in my career path and as a single male, going out to
drink socially and meet women were one in the same.
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The Three Amigos |
My professional career led to opportunities in traveling. In
conjunction, my use of alcohol became more prominent in everyday
life, yet I was not aware of the grip it had taken on me. Without
acknowledging it, alcohol quickly became my adviser and my drinking
morphed into an addiction.
My increased consumption rapidly led to a divorce and loss of
employment. My supportive family urged me to get professional help,
but I believed that I could handle it on my own terms. The addiction
became cyclical, and my short periods of sobriety would end with long
terms of binge drinking. I finally needed to get honest and reach out
for help.
I moved to Iowa late last summer to begin a new approach in my
recovery journey at Faith Discipleship Center. I came in a few weeks
after Joel came on board as staff at FDC. Since I met Joel, there has
been a lot of learning experiences that I’ve been able to glean
from him. There have been times when things became difficult and he
has provided an insight from a different perspective. He has taught
the men here at the center about grace, mercy, and forgiveness from
his personal viewpoint and experiences. I am grateful that God led
Joel to FDC and the example that he has displayed from which we have
learned. God uses everything for His glory and in the end He will
receive the Glory.
My newfound hope and trust is not based on psychology or
clinical diagnosis, as much as I respect them. There is a promise of
hope for anyone dealing with any type of addiction and that promise
is Jesus Christ. I have finally realized that He has been the answer
which I have been seeking.
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| Subaru Drivers |
Even though the enemy has taken many souls captive (2 Tim
2:26), Jesus has commanded us not be afraid, because we are to catch
men back (Luke 5:11). The same Greek word is used in both verses:
zogreo. The word means to take alive, to capture or ensnare. The world
and the prince of this world has taken souls captive by the
stimulation of the flesh – a subtle lie. Sin is pleasurable for a
season, but after a while, (hopefully) one realizes what he has
traded for this fleeting pleasure. Ultimately a man can trade his
very soul – his unique identity. It is not worth it. Please, pray
for the staff and residents at FDC. Pray that the Lord would free us
to love Jesus with more of our hearts.
Thank you,
Joel Huebner
I look forward to partnering with International Messengers again in two English-Teaching camps. In between each camp I will help a local leader conduct follow-up.
When: June 23rd through August 16th 
