Lifted by Love
Russ and his wife, Crystal, had such high hopes when they moved from Arkansas to California to take a promising job. They had struggled for years to make ends meet, but now, surely, there would be financial security and a stable home for their three daughters.
The job was good for a while, but it wasn’t permanent, and eventually it ended.
Russ was diligent, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t find another job. Tension in the household grew. How would they eat? How could they pay the rent? The arguments between Russ and Crystal became more and more heated.
Tired of the fighting and feelings of failure, Russ began to avoid going home. He started hanging out on the street with guys from the neighborhood. He found solace in alcohol, then drugs. Not long after that, he and Crystal separated.
Russ drifted to Los Angeles and hit bottom. He realized he needed help to break the bondage of the alcohol and drugs. The word on the street was that you could find help at a place called Love Lifted Me.
He tracked it down and he checked himself in.
Love Lifted Me is a partner ministry of Here’s Life Inner City in Los Angeles. It provides a Christ-centered environment for rehabilitation from addiction. It also offers job training in fields like mechanics, sewing, lawn care, and hauling, and it’s tied to a local church. The Holy Spirit fuels the ministry, and so does Here’s Life — food for the residents is provided by our L.A. warehouse.
While in recovery, Russ was indeed lifted from the "muck and mire"; he committed his life to Christ and found new power and purpose for life.
Our warehouse manager discovered that Russ struggled with reading. Through her intervention, he received tutoring, and, as a result, he was able to get a trucking license and a job. He and his family were reunited, and today they are all actively involved in church!
Thanks to Love Lifted Me, men and women can find hope, direction, and freedom from the bondage of addiction.
Some Helpful Links:
Here's Life Inner City Los Angeles
