A Life with Hope & Purpose
Paul Colmerauer was trying desperately to get away from his old self. But, after three long years running from one state to another, he realized he wasn’t really running away from anything. The pain, the temptation, the emptiness ... they were there with him no matter where he went.
For nearly 40 years, Paul’s addiction to drugs and alcohol had controlled his life. And just when he finally kicked his habit, his health started to fail, and the muscular dystrophy he suffered since birth crippled his body and spirit.
“Before I came back [to Kansas City], I lived in the middle of a field with a couple refrigerator boxes as my bed,” Paul shares. “I ate what I could find.”
Paul returned home to Kansas City, mentally and physically exhausted, and in August 2004 walked through our doors seeking relief and direction.
At the Mission, Paul - a lifelong, hard-core atheist - encountered Christ in our instructors and counselors. He joined our RECON program where he attended Bible study and gained life skills, but still “had trouble with the God and Jesus part.”
Our staff encouraged Paul to join our long-term Christian Life Program (CLP). It was during this intensive life-recovery program that God got hold of Paul’s heart, and he surrendered his life to Him.
“The food and shelter were important, but finding my way to Jesus, that’s it. It’s lifted a heavy burden off of me,” Paul says. “I’ve looked back, and I’ve seen where God kept me alive for a purpose. Now I’ve got to find that purpose.”
Today, Paul is in the last phase of the CLP, learning budgeting and finances, and working through our career development track.
He wants others struggling with addiction and hopelessness to know the Mission is here to help them if they want to accept it. “I tell the men still on the streets, no matter how bad you think you have it, there is always hope and help whenever you want it. Don’t expect too much at one time - it’s not easy. But it gets easier if you take that first step. The pain is worth the reward!”
Paul’s search for meaning is complete. He - and countless others - have found hope in God’s love and mercy because faithful friends like you care enough to give through City Union Mission.
