It needs hope for change

My name is Simon and for the past seven years I have been living in Lüdenscheid/Germany. In 2003, I underwent therapy for drug addiction at Wiedenhof Rehabilitation Center and have been living in the FCJG fellowship since then.
When our team in the U.S. moved to their new property last year, they asked for people who would come and help them in building the LIFEHOUSE Training Center. I was very interested in helping and I made up my mind to come to America for a few months to support this ministry. At the same time, despite the economic crisis, I got a well-paying job through which I could save the money for this mission trip.
At home in Germany I regularly go with a team from the City Mission to the drug scene, where we build relationships with drug addicts and share the love of Christ with them. Most of them are in the methadone program and they dream of someday being clean. Many have great plans for their future.
Here in Austin, the drug scene seems to be different; sometimes very young runaways have chosen a life on the streets. It is their identity and goal in life to travel the country and live "free" without any restrictions or responsibilities. Many of them seem to have no desire for change. This is also reflected by their appearance. Yesterday, a 25 year old young man was with us in the Cream and Sugar Trailer. His whole face was covered with tattoos. I just thought, "What if he ever wants to live an normal life?" I have the impression that most of them want no change in their lives. This makes me very sad.
Another young man, who has been living on the streets for many years and is also an alcoholic, has been thinking about moving into our LIFEHOUSE Training Center to recover from his addiction and to begin a new life. Although we have reminded him repeatedly, he never wanted to come along and always had something else to do. Yesterday he was attacked and his sleeping bag was stolen. But instead of coming with us, he now wants to move on to another town. We hope and pray that God is with him and will protect him wherever he goes.
It is great to see what a love our team has for the runaways, homeless and drug addicts. Behind the tough facade and tattoos hide people who seek only a listening ear or a hug. They just want to be loved. This is a major priority of this ministry. To bring God's love to those who are not loved at all.
I was particularly impressed with the vision that our team has for the LIFEHOUSE Training Center and for the ministry with Cream and Sugar on the street. They are implementing, step by step, all that God has shown them. Here on the property they are making a lot of progress and it is great to see what they have accomplished in the last year.
I like being here a lot and I am glad that I can still be here a few more weeks.