The scene was a drug and substance awareness event, where Francis and Stephen Mwei, our drug and addiction counselors, were interacting with various attendees. One of these interactions was with a young man named Vincent. Little did Francis and Stephen know, their simple question about Vincent’s educational background would open the gates to a life-changing relationship with not only those at the event, but also with the Savior—our Lord.

Vincent had been struggling with addiction for a long time, and it had destroyed his relationship with his mother. He knew he needed to change, but his addiction was too strong and he began to feel that breaking free from it would be impossible. This is when a local police chief (part of the Police of Change), providentially shared his very own story of overcoming alcoholism and drug addiction. Most drug addicts don’t think others understand their struggle, but when one of their own can testify to the life-changing power they have found, it becomes real, it becomes a possibility—it becomes hope. After the local chief connected with Vincent, he had such faith in him that he volunteered to be his sponsor.

Someone who unfortunately didn’t feel this same faith was Vincent’s mother, Magdalene. A mother’s love stretches and stretches, but when it is finally broken, it takes work to see a renewed faith in the child that broke it. So, when Vincent’s new sponsor wanted to visit Magdalene's home, she was hesitant to welcome him in. Thankfully, she did anyway, and the work began!

As this first meeting took place, Magdalene described her life with Vincent. She lived in constant fear and would often come home afraid of what she would find. Would her son be under the influence? Would he be violent? Would he be there at all?

In hearing his mother’s words of desperation, Vincent knew he needed to change, not only for himself, but for her. He accepted the help he was offered and slowly but surely, their relationship started to change. Magdalene finally saw that her son was changing, and the Lord brought a sense of goodness and peace they hadn’t felt in years.

Recently, as we have kept up with Vincent and Magdalene, they described their reconciliation. Magdalene recalled being unwilling to sit with her son and just talk, but over time that has changed completely. They now have meaningful conversations, and Vincent is once again calling her “mom,” something so simple yet so life-giving for a mother to hear! She was seeing her son’s heart, mind, and soul change right before her eyes.

Vincent is one of many who have been greatly impacted by your faithfulness and by the grace of God. We are eyewitnesses to many miracles of family reconciliation that would not have been possible without your prayers and support! The work of breaking addictions, healing relationships, and sanctification is challenging, but with Christ’s power at work within us, we can experience hope, peace, love, and new life.