Andy is the Evening Hostel Coordinator at Kelowna's Gospel Mission.
This is his story.
I grew up in a broken home and I had a very abusive upbringing. I was emotionally and physically tortured; during my elementary school years I became very violent and had behavior issues.
I started acting out and entered a life style of crime and drugs from an early age. I began drinking and smoking weed at the age of ten. By the time I was fourteen Ii was a full blown hard drug addict selling drugs and committing robberies to support my habit.
At the age of eighteen I was arrested for aggravated armed robbery and was facing four years in federal prison. At the same time, I had just returned from fighting in the Canadian championships in Judo, and I was losing my battle of living a double life.
In this season of my life I had lost almost everything and everyone and was so emotionally destroyed I entered into a multi-year suicide binge. I had overdosed and caused some damage to my heart (leading to my recent heart surgery) and accumulated some very large debts with very serious people. That ultimately lead me to Kelowna where I moved to Big White.
Through some unexplainable circumstances I ended up in front of Kelowna Gospel Fellowship Church and met two young "Jesus Freaks", who were bold enough to share the love of Christ with me. After a few months and through the leading of the Holy Spirit I ended up in Teen Challenge. There I found out who I was created to be, not who I thought I was.
I ended up running a street ministry in the downtown area, and worked with the Salvation Army. I became Evening Hostel coordinator at Kelowna's Gospel Mission through my friendship with staff members Jason and Trevor. Needless to say I think I am a good fit for Kelowna's Gospel Mission. I believed my calling was to be on the front lines and I knew God would open doors for me, and he has tremendously.
The best part about working at the Gospel Mission is that I get quality time with clients and am able to share and listen on a more personal level. Because, at night, we are typically alone and away from the chaos of the general operation of the Mission. For example, I get to spend time with the guys if they can't sleep and we can talk one on one, or if they come for assistance after curfew I'm able to open up, find the reason why they are late, and I am able to use my back ground and old life style to relate and speak into their lives.
I often share with the guys my story - from where I was, to where I am now. I don't hide or shy away from talking about their drug use or behavior and will always encourage them to make good choices throughout the day.
My advice to the clients is don't get comfortable where you are at; always keep moving forward, and it's never too late and you are never too far gone! Now I enjoy life and life is more abundant. Since surrendering my old life my to Christ I've gained my health and have seen restoration in my relationships. I've traveled and ministered in Africa, Central America and Europe and I've also developed a successful street ministry that has lead hundreds to the Lord .
So be encouraged. We may not see immediate results but the "prayers of a righteous persons availith much" and will not return void. If I can be set free, healed and delivered then anyone can!
Andy Cake