I Gave God My Heart

Anthony Burrows and his wife had been through a lot in 27 years. They'd raised a daughter and son, held each other through family deaths and traveled the country together. But the couple also shared a drug addiction that eventually tore them apart.

When his wife asked for a divorce, Anthony fell into a deep depression and checked into a hospital psychiatric ward. "She'd been under my arm 27 years," Anthony recalls tearfully. "It just about killed me."

After leaving the hospital, Anthony stayed in Raleigh Rescue Mission's emergency shelter a few times. Then just before Thanksgiving 2007, he approached Herbie Bryant, resident services coordinator, (pictured left with Anthony) about joining our Life Plan Program. "I told him I wasn't looking for a bed or a meal. I was looking for a new life. Then I headed for chapel and rededicated my life. I knew I couldn't make it on my own and I gave my heart to God."

Since all the beds in the Life Plan Program wing were full, Anthony returned to our emergency shelter every night waiting to hear he could join the program. "I prayed hard that Herbie would call me," Anthony says. "Then one day, he said, 'Anthony, grab your things.' A bed was available! It was one of the best moments of my life!"

Anthony says he started walking around with a crazy smile on his face! "I knew I was on my way! The staff listened to me. They gave me feedback and were gentle with me."

When asked who has given him the most support in the program, Anthony begins ticking off names on his fingers. Then he says, "These people are put here by God. They want to do us good, no matter what we've done."

Recently, Anthony talked to his son who lives in Florida. His tears flow as he recalls that day. "My son could tell I was alive again. He said 'I can't believe the difference in you' right off the bat. Then he cried and said, 'Dad, I love you.'"

"My sister is proud of me. My dad and stepmom aren't sure I'll make it. As I continue on, they'll have no choice but to believe me. It's written all over my face. It feels so good to be clean!"

To read other stories of changed lives, click here.