Testimonials

“I have been cutting myself for years and tried to commit suicide twice with pills. Now, I have been over a year without trying to kill myself because of the AMP’D program. You all have loved me and listened to me. Thanks.” M., 17

 

 

 “I was smoking pot every day, now it’s been over six months since I stopped and I really feel different. I couldn’t have done it without the AMP’D program. My parents are really happy and my dad says he’s really proud of me.” C, 16

 

 

“Dr. Paul, I just wanted to say thanks.  My family was having dinner the other night and I was trying to resolve a conflict between my 2 yr old and 7 yr old, when my son (the 7 year old) said  "remember Mommy that it's called ‘cooperation’ like I learned from week 3 at Recovery for Kids Club. It's a wonderful program.  Thank you.  It has truly made a difference in my family.” Margaret

 

 

“I have been arrested over and over again for fighting. In the AMP’D (teen) program, I haven’t been in a fight in six months. That’s a first for me. Now I have a job and a girlfriend.” Justin, 18

 

 

"I have been in many different programs, have been to counseling and even outpatient programs and nothing has worked to help me overcome my addiction with alcohol.  However, unlike the above, Recovery for the City has changed my life, addiction and my thinking.  It is like no other program that I have ever tried, seen or heard of.  Dr. Paul’s approach to treating and counseling people who have addictions is one of a kind, effective and I thank God for it every day."  Tracy, 30

 

 

“When I recall my interaction with Recovery For the City, it has to be the warm reception you get from the time you enter those open doors. My life was at its extreme end. I can assure you that Recovery For the City’s approach to solving and dealing with those hurting individuals is its primary mission. This is a program that works!” Gary, 55

 

 

“Dr. Paul, this program saved my life, helped me get out of the gang I was in and stay away from jail. Thank you sooo much.” Bethany, 17

 

 

 “I was religious all my life, but it was recently at a Recovery for the City meeting that I came to realize that I had never entered into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I am amazed at what I see these people do on such a shoestring budget!” L., 45

 

 

“Even though I am a successful businessman, at a very critical time in my life, Dr. Paul and the program were available to me and helped me keep a sense of sanity during some really rough waters I went through; thanks a million!” C. 35

 

 

BILL'S STORY

"Hi, I'm Bill, I'm grateful in my recovery from anger and violence."

It is my privilege to share with you my experiences at Recovery for the City and how Jesus Christ has helped me get control over my anger and violence.

In March 2001, I was court ordered to attend an anger management class offered by the City of Chesapeake as a result of an act of violence that I committed against a loved one. I had heard from others that these classes were pretty much useless; regardless, I had to attend.

I began to research other avenues for anger management and through my marriage counselor I learned about "Recovery for the City". At this point I had to decide whether to go to the Chesapeake program or the Recovery for the City program. The City of Chesapeake's program lasted one hour a week for 18 weeks and Recovery for the City lasted two hours a week for 18 weeks. At first, this seemed to be an easy decision. I could tough it out with the negative atmosphere for one hour a week or go to Recovery for the City where there is a Christ centered atmosphere for two hours a week. I really thought that the less time I spent anywhere was going to be the most convenient program for me.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I didn't need to attend an anger management program nearly as much as I needed God. In fact, it wasn't until later that I realized that God has been trying to get my attention all along.

I struggled with this decision but when I gave it up to God it became apparent where I needed to be.

My first visit to Recovery for the City was a little uncomfortable as I walked into a place where I needed to share something I was very ashamed about. I didn't want to go. I had been humiliated enough. Once I got there, I found the atmosphere to be one where God was the central focus of all things. There was no pressure to talk, speak, sing or give an offering. I quickly came to realize that this was a safe place where a person can share their deepest concerns with others that are willing to help and that these concerns are kept private. I also learned many other things. There are more people in this world with problems like mine than I ever realized. I also learned that my own problems were such that I could not, in all my strength and all my might, overcome these tremendous obstacles in my life. I would soon give up my problems and concerns to God.

Something else I learned by attending Recovery for the City was that there was a direct relationship between the amount of my participation and the amount of help I received. Once I became comfortable and began participating more often, I found that God would even use me to testify and share my testimonies with others in my anger management group. If someone told me this before hand, I probably would not have believed it. God is awesome!

I have now completed my 18 weeks at Recovery for the City. Am I cured of all things evil? I think not. I'm only human, and all humans are sinful by nature, but by God's grace I can receive a healing, I can know that God will always be there by my side, I have joy and peace like I have never known before and most importantly, I have learned that all things are possible if you trust in the Lord.

You know, God desires a personal and intimate relationship with each and every one of us. When the time comes, and yes, the time will definitely come, when Christ wants to get your attention. If you're like me (a little thick headed) you may not listen. You've got control over you own life right? I thought I did. It was at this time that I fell. I fell so far that I didn't realize that it was possible to be as broken as this. I was overwhelmed with grief, hopelessness, despair, depression and fear. It was darker than dark, my friend, and it is my prayer that you will never experience the place where I was.

Today, I pray and listen or read my devotionals each and every day. I go to church every Sunday that I can. This helps me to keep that close relationship with Jesus Christ. I never again want to experience these hardships. I praise God that that He never gave up on me, that He loves me forever and I thank God that He will be there for you, too!

Your brother growing in Christ,

Bill

NORA'S STORY

"Hi, I'm Nora, I'm grateful in my recovery from smoking and rage." 5/21/01

2 ½ years ago I was searching for a Savior and didn't know it. Thankfully He did… and I know my life will never be the same again. If you can picture setting up your Christmas tree and putting on the ornaments and lights…. You know how beautiful and bright that tree becomes when you finally plug in the lights? Well I'm that tree and that day I got plugged in and adopted into God's family, my lights came on, never to be filled with darkness again. That initial illumination was my salvation and obviously I am eternally grateful. My tree was lit, but I did have quite a few bulbs burned out- I'll get to that in a few minutes.

Satan lost the war that day, but the fighting hasn't stopped. There are still battles, but I can continue to claim victory through Christ. Well the enemy's strategy has changed. As an immature believer with massive baggage (I'm talking about the heavy lies) he has brought up some of the foulest smelling garbage - many of you know it well! With each new discovery, came immense pain and each time eventually relief, freedom from that lie. Those burned out bulbs, -simply lies that prevent light in that area. God's truth gave me a new bulb with an eternal warranty. I still come across bulbs I didn't even see were burned out, and each time I am amazed at how much brighter life is.

A year after I became a Christian I felt defeated daily with cigarettes. I had been trying to quit for 5 years, since I was pregnant with my 1st child. I was sure with this new saving knowledge and faith, and Nicorette I could do it! Right… I'd switch to the patch or the gum and feel a little less like a hypocrite. But this addict was still getting the emotion binding security of that drug, just not in the form I preferred.

I tried everything I could, even anti-depressants. I did try God, a little- God in a box as my husband would say. But I wasn't willing, or able to completely turn it over to Him- YET.

After sharing my desire and desperation with a dear friend, she put me in touch with her friend from Texas, a psychobabblist; (I mean psychotherapist). She interviewed me by phone and we re-examined the period of time when I got hooked. How fun! After hearing that I had hit puberty, went through my 2nd divorce, moved back to America from the Philippines, with my newly recovered alcoholic mother to move in with her new lesbian partner and her children at age 10- cigarettes she agreed served a purpose. Fortunately pot didn't do the trick for me, and my paper route would not supply me with a more expensive coping mechanism. She promptly told me I needed long term therapy with someone local.

After interviewing local therapists to make sure they believed in God, didn't smoke, and weren't gay, I picked someone who said she loved inner child work, the specialty I "needed" most. After a few sessions she signed me up for a 10-week psychodrama group. I told her I was there to deal with any and all issues I needed to so I could quit smoking; I couldn't afford the agony of defeat again. Failing was becoming quite depressing. On the 8th week it was my turn. 1 hour for my life's drama- ha. She ended with a visualization technique, having me describe the image of myself 10 years down the road still smoking. What came to mind was ugly. I imagined this very old woman, wrinkled, smelly, coughing, skin and bones thin, wheezy, penniless, and very unhappy. Not a pretty picture, so I went home and smoked about it.

A couple of weeks later I felt lost all over again, no closer to quitting or staying quit anyway. Then my breakthrough came. There was a theophostic seminar offered at church, why not I thought- I've tried everything else! God allowed me to be the guinea pig that day and discover the main lie- the light that goes under the star on top of the tree. That burned out bulb that said I was better off dead- worthless. When that new bulb screamed truth… I was somebody made in His image, but my poor mother was hopeless. Here was a tremendous source of pain, and now I see. Wow, compassion and sympathy I was missing for her were new to me. My perspective had changed. God gave me a new view.

I'd like to tell you this 12 step program was all I needed. For me it wasn't, along with Theophostic, I was able to stay the course. Prayer has been the key- do you know you can outlast any craving with prayer if you attempt ir? The problem is we usually give in to the defeat before we truly seek His help. I prayed several weeks before my final quit date for courage and a plan. A year ago Mother's Day was the last time I allowed nicotine to control me. I was 3 weeks off the smokes when I started coming to Recovery regularly. Three weeks of raw emotions I had never experienced without medicating. Anger, rage, joy, passion, sadness, confusion, guilt, confidence, overwhelmed, and embarrassed. I felt so vulnerable during those 1st 3 months, especially, and you guys supported me through it. I wear my emotions on my sleeve as they say and raw emotions on your sleeve is a scary concept. Ask my husband! I have become quite the crier, prior to a year ago I rarely cried, now a great worship song or heartfelt prayer sends me into a weeping mode.

The accountability and safe haven this ministry has provided me have been invaluable. Pastor Paul and Suzie are still full time missionaries, and the addicts fill their mission field. As I heard in a great song, the harvest is so ripe, the laborers so few. I thank God for their commitment, and thank you, everyone you mean more to me than you know. And thanks be to the Lord for allowing us to invite him into our pain, and display a fully lit Christmas tree.

TED'S STORY

"Hi, I'm Ted, and I'm grateful in my recovery from sexual addiction."

Through secular counseling I was only able to discern some of the root causes of my behavior.

During seven months of secular counseling, I never once considered that I was receiving true healing nor was I given any clear direction or guidance on how to improve or a time table in which to expect results.

I stumbled though numerous other local Twelve-Step programs before God's grace led me to this program through a friend from church who has since become my accountability partner and spiritual mentor. On a scale of one to ten, as compared to Recovery for the City, othe4r programs I tried don't even register a one.

What's this program about?

First and foremost, this program is totally "Christ-Centered". It's not a "God-as you understand God" concept as cited by most Twelve-Step programs.

Second, this program included my spouse, who desperately needed someone with whom she could share her feelings and receive hope and empathy not just sympathy.

Third, this program offers complete healing as we invite God's enlightenment of past events in our lives in which Satan was able to implant his lies and thus adversely affect our beliefs and behaviors for years.

Fourth, this program is no Band-Aid. Its changing lives though Jesus Christ. I've seen it in my life and I've seen it in others. Recovery for the City, like Jesus, is the real deal.

Thanks to the true Lord Jesus, Pastor Paul and his staff, I've had the freedom to do God's will in my life for over two years and I will be forever in their debt. I urge you to support this program in any way you can.

TED'S STORY

It seems he was made fun of all his life. Dad became very abusive and Ted felt he had no where to go and no outlet for his emotions. He began to experiment with the numbing effects of drugs. Marijuana, then heroin. It worked. Finally he felt, even of for a few fleeting hours, a sense of relief and peace. Calm swept over his body as the drugs did their job. Then he would wake up to have to start all over again.

Exhausted with the cycle of addiction, Ted’s sister persistently encouraged him to come to the Recovery for the City office for help. And that he did.  He has been attending meetings weekly and is a vibrant participant.

D's Story

D. had been drinking two liters of wine every night. She was also escalating using cocaine and occasionally heroin. Her life was out of control. Her job and friends just seemed to make it so easy for her to use.

Then, the time came that Mom and Dad had enough. They brought her to the Life recovery Center for an intervention. They were determined to get her the help she so desperately needed.

D. sat with trembling hands and shared her story of abuse and pain as Mom sobbed. “This is the real reason why I drink and do drugs,” she explained. They convinced her to change jobs, attend recovery and helped her get through detox. Almost a month later, D. has her color back and she loves the meetings. “They’re the highlight of my week,” she reports.

This young lady and hundreds like her have been helped by the firm and compassionate approach of the Recovery for the City program.