Melvin’s addiction was affecting everyone in his family. That’s when he realized he needed help … and he found that help at the Durham Rescue Mission.

Before I came to the Durham Rescue Mission my life was spiraling downward out of control. I was deep in an alcohol and drug addiction that had been progressing for 35 years. I had tried several drug treatment programs, rehabs and going to church to try and fix myself and break away from the addictions. I was somewhat successful for short periods of time but I felt as though I was hanging on for dear life, never finding an answer or any real freedom or joy. When I was clean I was miserable.

When I went to jail for DWI’s and drug possession I knew that God was going to be instrumental in getting me clean, I just didn’t know how. I had a desire to learn more about the Bible after I read almost all of the Scriptures while serving four months in jail; I did not fully understand what I read nor was I able to apply it to my life, on my own. I had heard of the Victory Program at the Durham Rescue Mission from a cell mate. I decided that was what I wanted, to join the Victory Program.

When I arrived at the Durham Rescue Mission and enrolled in the Victory Program, I soon learned that drugs and alcohol were symptoms growing out of the root of my problem and the root of my problem was sin. Once I knew what the problem was, I finally found the answer in Jesus. The freedom that I was searching for was so beautifully spoken of by Jesus when He said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Through learning of Jesus and giving my problems to Him, I felt as though my burden was lifted and the chains that I had been bound by had been broken.