Mission Moments - Snapshots from the Soul
Every person who passes through the doors of City Union Mission has a unique story to tell - every man, every woman, and every child. Some stories are gripping, some are interesting, and some are heartwarming, while others are heartbreaking.
We have captured several stories that may change the way you view homelessness forever. Here is your chance to take a glimpse into the lives of a few of our precious clients, volunteers, and donors. We hope you will take a minute to engross yourself in these powerful testimonies. Please place yourself in their shoes, and join them in their past sorrows as well as their newfound joy.
Larry P.
He Opened a Door
For some of the men who struggle with addictions being in the city atmosphere is counter-productive to their recovery. Therefore, Opportunity Farm, near Warsaw, Missouri, provides an alternative in a peaceful country setting.
“My intention all along was to go to the farm. I wanted to be away from the noise of the city, its problems and temptations,” says Larry Paige, current client. Larry enrolled in the Christian Life program, the long-term recovery program, in September, 2006. To find out more about Opportunity Farm please click here and scroll down.
“Before I came here I was staying at my sister’s house in North Las Vegas, depressed because life wasn’t working. My sister, who had overcome her own challenges, told me something that woke me up. She said, “What’s done in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” I knew I had to leave Vegas, so I got on the Internet and found City Union Mission Opportunity Farm.
In the first 3 months I read through most of the Bible and became more and more convicted. I found hope in the serenity the farm offers. It’s a far cry from living the lie that I had been living as a helpless, hopeless drunk. I was so misdirected in my thoughts, actions, and beliefs, so full of selfishness and sin.”
Larry was born in 1953 in Los Angeles, California to a proud African-American church going family. “We always dressed up for church, as most African-American families did in the late 1950’s. Sometime after the Watts riots in August of 1965 my parents divorced. I became incorrigible.
Alcohol became my new best friend and we explored the streets of LA together. I was 14 years old. Four years later my drinking was out of control. I was in and out of jail, but never sent to prison. Some said that it was because God looks after fools and babes. I couldn’t forget that!
Then during my 7th or 8th grade I was expelled for drinking and being unruly. In 1970 mom sent me to be with my father, who took me to his parents, in Utica, Mississippi. I got through 9th grade and entered 10th grade when I was enrolled at Hinds County Agricultural High School, where I did exceptionally well. But when I returned to California I dropped out of 12th grade, and the downward spiral took over.
I’m thankful that someone opened a door through City Union Mission Opportunity farm for me. They gave me spiritual CPR, when I was at my last breath. They picked me up, pointed me to scripture, and led me back to Christ.”
Larry got his GED on March 9, 2007. “Getting my GED was the best thing that happened to me in years. Now I have vision for a future to go to school so I can become a missionary. My life has purpose now and I am on the path of the righteous.”
Larry is now claiming in 2007 what he thought was lost in 1972. “God is able!”
Proverbs 4:18, “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” (NASB)
If you would like to get on the path of righteousness too, please click here.