“Now I’m full of life again.”

Benjamin experienced more trauma in six years than most people endure in a lifetime. His parents divorced when he was 6, and after his mom gained custody of him and his six siblings, life quickly unraveled. “After the split, things started going downhill,” he recalls.  

His mom fell into addiction and became abusive, and Benjamin and his siblings cycled in and out of foster homes. When he was 12, his grandfather rescued them – but the pain remained deep inside. 

Benjamin eventually built a promising life. He went to college, landed a well-paying job as a railroad operator and raised his daughter on his own. “My life was really good,” he says. “I felt like I was doing everything right.” 

Then in 2020, years of unprocessed anger boiled over in a road rage incident that led to a felony conviction. He lost his career, his home, and eventually, his ability to care for his daughter.  

After staying with friends and family, Benjamin knew something had to change. “I couldn’t do that to my daughter and to myself,” he says. He made the heartbreaking decision to send her to live with her mom.  

At the Rescue Mission, Benjamin began healing old wounds through classes focused on forgiveness and recovery.

“Before, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Now my life is back on track, and I have a lot of hope.”  

The faith-based program became a turning point. Starting each day with devotions and listening to guest speakers reignited something in him. “I always felt like they were speaking to me about God and the Bible,” he says. “There was always something that resonated.”  

Today, Benjamin has a place of his own and is enrolled in trade school, pursuing a career as an electrician. “I see so many opportunities,” he says. “I’m just happy now.”  

Because of you, Benjamin is experiencing Thanksgiving with renewed purpose and gratitude. “I was depressed and hurt. Now, I’m full of life again. My future is bright once more.”

To read this issue of Mission in Motion, click to download.