One Second Away
How close have you been to making the worst possible decision of your life? That is not a question that many of us ponder but, for Detric Howell, he was literally seconds away from reaching that point.
You see, almost 12 months ago, Detric was on his way to committing a very serious crime. With no direction in his life and at a point of complete desperation, he was going to commit a robbery. Detric was living homeless in his vehicle. He did not have a job. He was overwhelmed by his addiction and felt like he had no one in his life. He had applied to get into Hope CDA but did not hear anything right away. So, he decided it was best for him to do the things he had always done before. In one second, that all changed.
“I was walking down this alley about to do what I needed to do to survive. I didn’t care what happened. I honestly didn’t think I had a future.”
Heading down the alley on his way to commit the offense, things changed suddenly in a miraculous way.
“I was on my way to rob someone when I got a call from Rob (Executive Director Dr. Robert Pannier). He asked me what I was doing and I told him. He told me, ‘No, you’re not. Turn around because you’re coming to Hope CDA.’ He didn’t leave me no choice. I just did what he said. I just stopped what I was doing and turned around. He changed my life and Hope changed my life. I don’t know where I would be without Rob and Hope.”
What a Year It Has Been
On September 24, Detric Howell officially graduates the Hope CDA program. It has truly been an amazing year. He has over a year of sobriety and has reunited with his three children, even spending quite a few weekends with them.
Detric has led the Hope Auto Detailing enterprise at Hope and has become a member of Westdale Community Church. He has also found a long-term purpose, enrolling at Kirkwood Community College where he began classes working toward a degree in Drug & Alcohol Counseling.
“I never had goals before. I didn’t think I needed them because things weren’t going to work out for me. That isn’t true anymore. I know I have a future. I have a plan. I have a relationship with God and I know I can make it. I love where my life is headed.”
Come and Celebrate
While Detric officially graduates on September 24, we will celebrate his achievement with his graduation ceremony on Monday, September 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Mission of Hope. Please come and join us for this amazing moment for our brother.
Please make a donation today!!
Hope Fulfilled
The Sixth Annual Hope CDA Gala will is just five weeks away. This year’s theme is “Hope Fulfilled.” This promises to be an amazing event. There are still a few tables left for those who would like to host a table. If you would like to come to the event, please contact Dr. Pannier (Rob.P@HopeCDAcr.org) to join the event.
Hope Good News
Detric Howell’s graduation will be on Monday, September 21 at 6:00 p.m. at Mission of Hope. Please join us for this event… All Hope staff, participants, graduates, and volunteers are invited to the amazing Gary Pribyl Fish Fry on Friday, September 11 at 5:30 p.m. Gary always has an amazing assortment of fish, including Rob’s personal favorite – KFC. Come join us at 110 Highland Avenue, Fairfax IA… Braedon Bonnell moved to Sioux Falls, SD to be closer to his daughter. Braedon already found an apartment and transferred his job out there. What an amazing journey for this young man… James Cross joined the Hope CDA Life Transformation Program three weeks ago. We are excited to see how God will work in James’ life.
Volunteer Opportunities
We are still looking for more “Friends” to help our men through their journey at Hope CDA. We are looking for women who would like to be a friend and mentor to a participant. This is an amazing opportunity to assist our men on their pathway to sobriety, and we would love for you to be a part of this journey. If you are interested, please contact Tahsha Jones (Tahsha.J@HopeCDAcr.org).
We are also looking for a team of people to help our guys with their basic skills. With a few of our men headed to college and all of them learning how to use the Iowa Works system to find jobs, we need people who can help our men with basic skills related to English, math, and computer use. If you would like to help, please let Tahsha know.
Prayers for the Week
We ask you to join in prayer for these things:
- For the upcoming gala. May this be a showcase event that leads many to want to get involved with Hope CDA so that their hope can be fulfilled as well.
- For James Cross. May he build an amazing relationship with Jesus as he overcomes drug and alcohol addiction.
- For Luke Cloudman. May he and his daughter find peace and a closer walk with Jesus.
- For Mike Moshier, who started a new job. Not only may he find fulfillment at this job but also be a great witness to others there.
- For Detric Howell. May he do very well at Kirkwood, also being a great witness of Jesus to the students and staff there.
- For Lavonne Johnson. We continue to pray for healing and comfort during her battle with cancer.
Get The Hope Herald Emailed to You!
Not receiving The Hope Herald each week? Sign up below and you can receive the latest news, teachings, and other information from Hope CDA.
