Night Of Hope Spotlights Suffering and Redemption Among Addicts
Those in attendance bowed their heads in prayer during the candlelight portion of the night of Hope. The courtyard of the justice center hosted the event where people told of their struggles in recovery from the addictions that laid waste to their lives.
By Greg Wells
CCN-editor
Independent within the mass of people gathered in the grass and on the benches, small groups talked quietly, hugging one another throughout the evening.
The gathering called a “Night of Hope,” was a cooperation between the administrators of “Drug Court” and the local extension agency.
Program administrator Glen Murphy praised Debbie Messenger for her work bringing the event together.
Prayers and gospel music began and end of the event, while a table of printed testimonials were there for everyone to read.
Stars of the gathering though were those like Janessa who stepped up to the microphone and told their stories.
“You know I used to hate law-enforcement,” she said. “But I wouldn’t be here if not for them.”
She outlined her younger home-life as one beset by addiction in her broken family as she grew up and mentioned the molestation she suffered as a child.
Janessa said she had reached a low point and had attempted to end her own life. Thankfully the attempt failed, and she soon learned she was pregnant at 20-years-old.
Getting clean for her baby however wasn’t a long-term solution and she failed, falling deeper into addiction.
But interdiction by law-enforcement resulted in her entering the Drug Court program, and “I’m truly happy today.”
Glen “Coach” Murphy introduced those willing to speak of their experiences as addicts, reformed addicts, and those affected by addiction here in Cumberland County during the Night of Hope.
Jennifer was the next to take the mic, saying to Murphy and other members of the program “You loved me until I learned how to love myself.”
“I’m really grateful for this community,” Jennifer continued. “God sent me to the rooms of recovery and the rooms of recovery sent me back to God.”
Raven told the crowd she was 22 months sober, after abuse and addiction in her childhood home had her addicted in her teens.
She said it was the grace of God and the work of Drug Court that got her clean.
Codey introduced himself to the crowd next, “If you don’t know me, I’ve probably stole from you.”
He said that though he came from a good home, he went the way of addiction but thanks to the program he is now in his second year of college.
Thomas said “Drug Court saved my life. Coach told me I could go to rehab or jail. That was the best decision, and it brought me to the Lord.”
Murphy summed things up for the people in the audience saying, “if that worked we’d all be skinny,” in response to those who say “just quit,” to those who are addicted.
