Isaiah House

To Ed & Sally Jeffery and the Men of The Isaiah House,
I want to thank all of you so, so much for the support, love, care, patience, compassion, and unconditional love that I experienced from each and every one of you during my six month stay with all of you. I remember when I arrived; I was in a desperate situation and in quite a real sense felt lost and alone. I came from a life of living on the street, dealing drugs, using drugs, and involving myself with a horrific and violent lifestyle. I recall many of days in my addiction where I was homeless, even as a teen waking up with snow on top of my sleeping bag. No one would trust me or want to help me, and rightly so, because I would manipulate and steal from anyone it took to support my addiction. Life in my addiction got very bad very quickly. There were not a lot of “fun” times for me. Those close to me who knew me best considered me and extreme bad off addict to be as young as I was. I recall many times pleading with God to take my life from me, and then cursing him when He didn’t. I was to “chicken” to take my own life, so I wanted God to do it in my sleep. I would many times purposely overdose on insane amounts of different medications, alcohol and other drugs, and yet somehow survive. I gave up on every single one of my dreams and passions, I was convinced I would just end up dead in a ditch somewhere, so there was no reason to pursue and hopes and dreams I once had.
So what exactly took place in my life, that I haven’t used drugs or alcohol in almost three years? I asked for help. And I did what others who were in recovery asked of me. When I arrived at The Isaiah House, I felt at ease and was able to emotionally and mentally “relax”. There is a spirit of love and compassion to help the sick become healthy there. From the moment I stepped through the doors of The Isaiah House my life has never been the same. My experience there truly is difficult to explain in words, cause in all honesty, if one follows the instructions that the staff provided from years of experience, then it becomes so much more than simply time spent trying to get better in a transitional housing facility, it becomes a very intense spiritual experience. There I encountered the love of God in the form of humble servants. Through the inspiration I received at The Isaiah House, I have since accomplished many simple but once goals and dreams I had given up on. I have finally obtained my GED, I got my license reinstated, and am pursuing becoming an ordained minister, and my dream since I was a young kid to become a professional chef working in the fine dining food service industry at The Georgia Club in Statham Ga- now I am literally living that dream. Today people welcome me into their homes, and want me to help others who were once in the condition I was in. I have rebuilt bridges that myself and many other considered unable to mend. The friends I have and the people I associate myself with today are people who are in recovery, people who have a passion for Jesus Christ. I surround myself with honest people who live a healthy lifestyle. Addiction and alcoholism is a disease and it cannot be cured it can only be put into remission., I by no means an unique or different than any other addict, those of us who recover, recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. So again, I want to thank everyone for their love and support at The Isaiah House. I will continue to pray and help however I can and am able. I encourage all the new guys there be rigorously honest and fearless when working a program of recovery. Please let me know how I can help in any way! I love you all so much; you are just as close to me as my blood family. I will not ever forget my time spent at The Isaiah House. Thank you all so much!
Love,
Ben Lunsford

Grateful Resident

In May of 2009 my life spiraled downward to a point where I was depressed, full of self pity and of very little use to my fellow man. As a result of these negative emotions I used drugs and alcohol to find release from care, boredom, and worry. There was always one more attempt, and one more failure. I needed help.

Fortunately, family and friends saw my despair and intervened. It was strongly suggested by my fellows that I was suffering from chronic depression and spiritual bankruptcy, which would required drastic measures to correct. A 12-Step program of recovery and treatment for drug and alcohol addiction was recommended to me, and I began to change my priorities to treat these symptoms.

I followed the advice of AA and NA members by attending 12-Step meetings in my local community and at the same time actively inquired about treatment centers that could help me build a solid foundation of mental health.

While attending a NA meeting in Atlanta, GA, I met a man visiting our group named Morris G. He was the chairperson for a North Georgia CA meeting at a recognized treatment center in Ellijay, called Isaiah House. Morris explained to me what the Isaiah House had to offer and I felt as though this would be right for me. Morris gave me the number and I took action by making contact with the Program Directors, Ed and Sally Jeffery to set up an interview to apply for residency.

When I arrived in Ellijay and saw the Isaiah House for the first time my hopes began to rise. It was beautiful and as I entered this facility my first impression was that this was a safe, wholesome and well organized operation. I parked my vehicle and approached the main dwelling where I was greeted by the current residents and invited in. As I walked through the front door I felt peace and serenity. I had been led to the right place.

My interview with the Director, Ed Jeffery, only verified this. Our dialogue was forthright and solution oriented. Mr. Jeffery analyzed my condition and approved my request for residency. He explained that the primary focus of the Isaiah House is to heal the spiritually sick, provide a safe and loving living environment, perform specialized counseling and offer men of all backgrounds to re-integrate into their community as responsible citizens. Shortly after our meeting I moved in.

I felt better upon entering the Isaiah House Program, but still had much fear and confusion in my life…Ed and Sally Jeffery and the Isaiah House residents helped me straighten this out. They helped me to understand that if I did not keep a program of recovery first in my life, I would relapse into active addiction again and lose whatever I put ahead of it. My new friends assured me that the Isaiah House would take care of my needs such as food, clothing, shelter, counseling and spiritual guidance, but I would have to do the footwork. “God can move mountains, but I need to bring my shovel.”

Through the vast network and resources linked to the Isaiah House I met a spiritual counselor, obtained stable employment, formed healthy friendships and built a solid foundation or recovery. I had the opportunity to perform services to my fellow man, the Christian Church, and the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous. I went to Christian Concerts and gatherings. My family relations healed, health and legal problems were solved and important bills got paid. My life became manageable thanks to the stability, wisdom, and guidance offered by the Isaiah House Program.

My term of residency lasted six months and when I graduated from the Program with the blessing of Ed and Sally Jeffery, I had a fundamental relationship with God as I understand him, the respect of my peers and basic trust of the community. All my needs were met.

That was over a year ago and it just keeps getting better as I follow the basic simple rules I learned early on. I have learned to love my neighbor as myself, seek Gods will over mine and help others unconditionally.

The Isaiah House, recovery starts here, and for that, I give thanks.

Chris Wright January 16, 2011