Special from the Adams Rescue Mission

By Lex McMillan

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
He arrived at the Adams Rescue Mission men’s shelter on York Road last June. He’s had more
than his share of pain in his 43 years, but he accepts responsibility for much of it. He was
released from state custody on November 30, 2022, after having served about two years in
prison for events that resulted from being drunk. He went through a court-ordered half-way
house, rehabilitation program and told me he had been sober for six months and three days. His
last relapse followed his mother’s unexpected death last December.

He was born in Frankfort, Germany, where his father served in the military. He has an older
sister and brother. His parents split up when he was three or four. His mother returned to their
home in Texas and married a man who had three children; altogether he counts seven siblings in
his family. When he was thirteen, in the ninth grade, his mother got sick; he dropped out of
school and got a permit to work so he could help his family. He completed his GED when he was
20 and took some college courses in architecture.

He met his wife when he was 22, and they had four children together. They divorced after nine
years. He was given custody of the children because of his wife’s substance abuse, but he
acknowledges that it’s been a demon for him as well. After his legal problems, the state took
custody of his children. He cannot currently have contact with his three teen-aged sons, but his
daughter, who is 19, has been a source of support. She found the Adams Rescue Mission for him
when he had become homeless. A pastor of a church in Johnstown bought him a bus ticket to
get to Gettysburg after Bruce Dietrick, the former Executive Director, welcomed him.
His work experience has ranged from catering and restaurant work to migrant farm labor to
warehouse and construction. His diverse skills immediately made him a valued member of the
ARM team. Due to unexpected vacancies, he has been serving as interim industrial manager for
several weeks. He hopes this will become a full-time job. In the meantime, he’s also been
working at a local restaurant to supplement his income.

As we talked in his small, cluttered warehouse office, different men dropped in to get directions,
to report on their work, or just say “hi.” It was evident that he has quickly earned the respect and
appreciation of other residents who work in the warehouse. One of them said without
prompting, “we couldn’t do without him.”

He recalls physical, mental, and sexual abuse he suffered as a child. It was what led to drugs and
alcohol. He feels that he’s getting his life back in order and is enjoying his work both at the
Mission and the local restaurant. He’s saving money and is grateful for the good relationship
with his daughter who lives nearby.

He appreciates the religious program at the Mission and said his mother gave him a foundation
for his faith. An uncle, who is Catholic, also provided guidance. He feels that he’s made
progress in “letting go” and is surprised to be more at peace than in a long time. He said, simply,
“I like where I’m at.”

The Adams Rescue Mission exists to proclaim the passion of Jesus toward the hungry, homeless, abused,
and addicted; to accelerate recovery and restoration to the least, last, lonely, and lost. The Agape House
is the ARM residential shelter for women and children. Lex McMillan is an ARM board member. To
support the Mission: http://www.adamsrescuemission.org/donate-now.