Rusty - June 2020

As we’ve opened the Washington Family Hope Center, I’ve been thinking a lot about that word - hope. It’s one of our four core values at Watered Gardens. We define hope as one who can see an end to his or her poverty, and many people we meet are truly without it. They see no end to the cycles of abuse, addiction, alienation, and failure that have filled the pages of their impoverished lives. Romans 5:5 says that hope arising out of affliction does not disappoint, but for too many nothing rises from the ashes leaving no hope for anything but a dark and lonely end to their story. But we have hope. We not only have it, we passionately impart it. Thankfully, Rusty embraced it. 

“I lived for myself for far too long. Made and lost a lot of money. Started and neglected multiple families. And all the while, I kept acting like I had it all together.  Since coming to Forge, I realize how dead my life was - like a limb just fallen on the ground. 

“Now I am learning what it means to be attached to the vine as described in John 15. I’m still green as grass in my new faith, but it feels so good to be learning and truly growing as part of the vine. I am getting better at walking with God every minute of the day, and I’m starting to dream again. I never dreamed I’d be going to bed and waking up each day talking with my Savior. And I look so forward to it! 

“I’ve made a complete 180 degree turn. I’m so grateful and blessed that God has used this program to show me He has so much more for my life.”

Rusty was dead. He admits it. But even in Rusty’s bleak condition, there was still hope. Because of your support, Rusty and others are turning the next page in the story of their lives, for the first time, with hope of a different ending - one that does not disappoint.