| Addicts delivered at saving stations BY LARRY HYGH JR.
UMCONNECTION STAFF Most people who are lost on the streets of Baltimore would never darken the door of church. But saving stations give them an opportunity to encounter God in a new way, said a recovering addict from Ames UMC. Curtis Lee Brunson had never even given a thought to 'going to the altar.' He was even hesitant about stepping foot inside the tent that was set up for a week last summer on a vacant lot across from the church. People don't like to be judged, he said. Brunson, 46, was in the recovery at the New Choices and Desire center when the church adopted the recovery house and invited the residents to nightly saving station services. Coming to the tent was a refreshing activity that let  me see the real joy of worshiping God, he said. Brunson started attending Sunday morning services and has been clean now for nine months, after a life of what he calls wild living, getting high and going to jail. He said he started getting high at the age of 18. As I kept coming (to the tent) I liked it and enjoyed it, it made me feel good inside, Brunson said. It was something I could lean on and trust in and it gave me the opportunity to sit still and try to internalize the word of God. The tent makes it easier to come to surrender, he added. Brunson credits the Rev. Kay F. Albury, Ames pastor, with aiding in his recovery. Pastor Kay makes it easy, she is easy to reach out to, Brunson said. In his conversations with Albury, he began to realize that his addiction was hurting other people. The recovery program encouraged Brunson to explore the spiritual dimensions of his life. The average person would run to a drink or some other drug, I run to God, he said. Everything else Ive tried has failed. Brunson, who is a father of four, is now employed doing custodial work at the church. He is also in Bible study classes and the church choir as well as helping to start a prison ministry. Diane Coby was also in the recovery program at New Choices and Desires when she came to the summer saving station at Ames UMC. The day I went to the tent was the day God saved me, she said. I have had nothing but blessings ever since. I was in the pits of hell and now I have a sense of direction, Coby said. I dont have the craving to do drugs. The day I went to the tent, I knew I would be okay. She has been helping to coordinate the Insight to Freedom program, a drug recovery program. Before the saving station, Coby did not attend church regularly. I didnt quite understand how God could let me kill myself like that (using drugs), she said. I never thought there was a day when I would not use drugs.  I knew if I stayed connected to this church good things were going to happen, she added. Now, I have a purpose for living, Im not sure of what my calling is, but Im a willing spirit.
She wants the United Methodist Church to keep on doing Gods work. If it could save a person like me, there are others out there, she said. Damond Ramsey and his wife were married in the church a few weeks ago. Ramsey and his wife are  both recovering addicts who came to the church as a result of the summer saving station at Ames. He is now employed through the Ames Shalom ministry with Greatful, Inc., the AIDS-HIV organization of the church. He is also a consultant for Insight to Freedom. Ramsey also credits Albury with being a pivotal part of his deliverance process. Rev. Kay is a really cool pastor, he said. Shes really open minded to new ministries, she reaches people in a non-traditional way. Ramsey says he looks forward to attending and volunteering at this summers saving station. | 
Login/Register to leave comment