Meet Marvin Mainville

Dear Michelle and Ken,

I feel I need to do this, as I have surpassed my goal of two years - being alcohol free. It's wasn't easy. Once again I must say, the LifeChange Program I've been through, was indeed a life change, especially for me. To all the staff at the Rescue Mission I thank you all.

Briefly, when I came to the Mission, I was evicted from where I called home. I needed a roof over my head, something to eat, and this was where it could be had. Believe me that was my intention, to find a place and move on. As I progressed through the program my thinking became more clear.

I've been through anger management, I got a certificate for that. As I encounter some workers either in a shop or fast food place, they can manage to anger me but I don't show it or retaliate in the way I used to. I think of the situation. By going to church on Sundays I see God in a different perspective.

Enough of me yakking. What I'm giving you [decorative plate of an Indian Chief] is something I hope you respect. Where you put it I wouldn't know. Michelle you must have your own office. Ken I know you have. To share it, you might have to cut it in half.

Sincerely,

Marvin

PS. I do have lots going on: my brother is in Afghanistan, Phalina is overdue on her pregnancy; a C-section needs to be done. I missed church one Sunday, I do have a picture of my sister.

Marvin was reluctant to go to his graduation ceremony this year at the Love Your Neighbour Fund Raising Banquet. He felt torn between grieving his sister and celebrating his new life. During our last crib game, I asked him if it was worth it.

He looked up at me, smiled, and said, "Well, George wouldn't let me off the hook. He kept insisting." In the end he said it was a very special time made even better by the presence of his granddaughter, Phalina, at the head table with him, Steve Bell, and the grads.

Here is the tribute I read for Marvin at his graduation ceremony on May 9th:

Mr. Marvin Mainville

Marvin stands here a changed man. He grew up in an Ontario border town. He started drinking at 13 years old, crossing the border into Minnesota to get alcohol. Prejudice was rampant at that time and he found himself in in frequent fistfights. Things spiraled downhill and he found himself in a United States Prison. His life was not an easy one and alcohol became a way out.

Marvin came to the LifeChange Program at the Mission several times. Each time he would make it a month or two and then head back to his old life. He wanted to change but the addiction was winning.

In March of 2005 he went to Ontario to attend his father's funeral. When he came back he found himself evicted from his place of residence. With no place to go, the Mission crossed his mind once again. He says that his motivation for coming was a roof over his head and food to eat. Then he planned to start looking for a new place to stay.

It didn't take long this time though for his thinking to start changing. He began to focus on his addiction and surrendered to Christ. He learned how to say no when old friends approached him. Marvin successfully completed an anger management course and learned how to be patient.

I asked Marvin, after all these years, what made the difference now, at 64 years old? Marvin said, “It’s because I have Jesus in my life now, Michelle.”

Congratulations, Marvin!