ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ANS) -- A self-described former drug addict said his most recent stay at Joy Junction “meant the world” to him, his wife and kids.

Robin

Just before he left Joy Junction for his own home, Robin told me, “It's been a safe haven for us – a place where we could recuperate and regenerate. I had ... medical problems and it had put us in a financial tailspin. But I knew Joy Junction was here. We came back, and it really felt like home. I felt very comfortable.”

He added, “My wife has made great progress with some issues she had. The children have really blossomed here. It's just been wonderful. We're in a position now where we can move out and be better off than we've ever been before. It's just really been a true blessing from God.”

Robin’s recent stay at Joy Junction was the second time we were able to assist him. He stayed with us for a while a number of years ago.

Robin recalled that difficult period in his life. He said, “When I got to Joy Junction, I was a strung out drug addict, criminal. Just after a few days here I felt like this was the place I needed to be. I never went ‘home’ because this was home. My old home was nothing but trouble and darkness.”

He said, “I gave up drugs, drinking. I met my wife and got married here, and had my first boy here. I (also) ... got a staff job (the first time I was here). It was just a really wonderful time of my life here; a real transition for me.”

I asked Robin where he may have ended up had it not been for Joy Junction. He said, “Doing a long stretch in prison or dead – for sure.”

I was curious as to where Robin first encountered Jesus. He said although he met Jesus as a child, he didn’t have the spiritual guidance necessary to persevere in his Christian walk. As a result, Robin said, he became a “lost lamb.”

He said, “Joy Junction was the shepherd which brought me back into the fold. I really committed myself to following Jesus here. It made all the difference.”

I reflected to Robin that Jesus enables us to have everything we need when we have Him as the basis in our life.

He responded, “Absolutely. I've been realizing that I always had Him to fall back on; to rely on. It really made a difference in my life. Because no matter what struggle or obstacle I faced, I knew it was placed there by Jesus, and with His help I can overcome everything, and I have.”

I shifted gears a bit, and told Robin how sad it was that people have a tendency to think of all the homeless as lazy people who don’t work.

Robin said he has two jobs and has been working seven days a week. He has a car almost paid for, and is working toward paying off medical and other bills.

He said his financial position had improved to where he could leave Joy Junction and step out on his own. He added, “It’s gonna be a struggle for the first six months. But I have a plan. The landlord is willing to work with me with that plan. I am sure Jesus softened his heart, and opened it to working with me. It's gonna be a wonderful, wonderful experience.”

I asked Robin how easy it is for the homeless to get back on their feet and reintegrated into mainstream community life .

Robin said it isn’t at all easy. He said, “Because of my medical situation I got evicted from my other house. To find someone that was willing to look past that is very difficult. Go to any kind of property management company, and that is just going to (preclude you because of credit) from any chance of getting a house there.”

I asked Robin what he would say to people who look down on the homeless. He quickly answered, “Don’t! Because (of) ... something beyond your control, you too can become homeless overnight.”

I told Robin how true that is, saying, “There but for the grace of God go you and I, one paycheck away from being homeless.”

As we concluded our time together and Robin, his wife and children prepared to leave Joy Junction, I told him that our prayers would always be with him and his family. I reminded him that should things ever get bad again, they were always welcome back at the shelter.

He said, “Thank you. After my first time here, no matter how bad things got, I always knew Joy Junction was here, and it was a deep comfort for me.”

My Take

It’s such a joy to see people like Robin avail themselves of the services that you allow us to offer, meet Jesus or have a fresh encounter with Him, and get back on their feet again. Would you please give generously this month, and allow us to assist many more people like Robin and his family.

Jeremy Reynalds is a freelance writer and the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, http://www.joyjunction.org He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "Now You See Me." Additional details on some of Reynalds' previous books are available at http://www.HomelessBook.com. He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@comcast.net. Tel: (505) 400-7145.