Introducing Drew

Drew is now on our casual labour crew, hoping to begin an internship when his schooling and upgrading is completed next month. His energy and enthusiasm mark his countenance with daily joy. He is always eager to try new things and offer words of encouragement, even to the staff! He is truly a delight to have around.

His graduation address, written by Melanie, and read by me, follows:

Mr. Andrew Carpenter

Drew also grew up in Wynyard, in a loving family with four siblings. He describes his parents as loving and hard-working, putting family above all else. However, at the age of 13, tragedy struck. His older brother was killed, sending the family into shock and grief. Drew says, “In my grief, I took up a life of debauchery, replacing everything I once held dear to the numbness and escape of alcohol and drugs.”

He began to find some healing in his 20's. He was married and had two children. 10 years later, his wife left him and he found himself alone once again. In Drew's words, “This trauma in my life caused me to reunite with my old companions, alcohol and drugs. I abandoned God, Jesus and all that is good. But rather than dwell on my iniquities of the past, instead I'd sooner convey my expressions of all the blessings now in my life.”

Drew joined the LifeChange Program just over a year ago. He was tired of living his life apart from God and so one day he knelt down and surrendered to Christ, begging Him to come to the rescue. That same day, God opened the doors for Drew to come to the Mission.

Drew has worked through his past and his addiction and is living a new life. He has been taking classes through the Department of Community Resources and plans to begin Rescue College later this summer.

Drew, we are looking forward to seeing a lot more of you in the future!