Well, we’ve been talking about doing it for about a year and have just never got around to it. That is, until today. No vacations, no yard work, no birthday parties, no lazy, Saturday sleep-ins. No Excuses. Just good old family fun. Spending a Saturday with a bunch of addicts.

Former addicts, that is. Thanks to the Charlotte Rescue Mission (CRM).

The CRM was founded in 1938 by a handful of Charlotte business men, including Franklin Graham, the father of evangelist Billy Graham, as a temporary home for those without one. It quickly starting attracting those in need of which many were battling addictions. Addictions of all sorts. Because of this, in 1990, the CRM made a commitment to have a Christian staff trained in substance abuse. This was the beginning of a program called “Rebound” and has since served many thousands of men. Because of its success, the women’s program, “Dove’s Nest,” began two years later with a similar structure.

The CRM is a unique entity. It is totally christian based, volunteer oriented and relies solely on donations. Nothing from the government and nothing from the United Way. And it’s totally free to its guests. No wonder why they have such a high success rate compared to other organizations. The whole organization answers to only one power. God.

So we had lunch duty today (with about 15 other volunteers.) Real hard, too. 3 whole hours and all we did was throw frozen pizzas in the oven, whip up some salads and talk. That’s right, talk. These men (about 75 of them) are on a restrictive 90-120 program. No family, no friends. And most aren’t even from the Charlotte area. It’s a true cleansing program.

When the men walked in to the dining hall we were amazed at the diversity stung by addictions. White, black, old, young, professional business men and the down-and-out. All walks of life were represented here. Addiction is not prejudice and doesn’t care who it recruits.

After lunch was served, we sat down to eat with a couple of the men. Out-of-towners. Ron was from Alabama. His family still at home, waiting for his return. His little girls upset that he missed their first days of school. But, he’s doing great and is only a month away from going home. He has been married for 13 years and shares the exact same anniversary date as me and my wife. Weird, huh?

Gene resides in Virginia. BIG DUDE. He played in the NFL for a few years in the late nineties. And yeah, he put away some pizza. Coincidence number 2? He played college ball with a friend of mine and under a coach who is the friend of another volunteer who was there today. (Insert theme from “Twilight Zone”)

It’s pretty eye-opening to see what addictions can do to people. It’s amazing that this many men accept the fact that they need help. It’s amazing that the couple of hours that we spent not doing much today actually helped these men. But, it did. As will the volunteer’s hours tomorrow, the next day and the next.

Jesus said, “the harvest is great, but the workers are few…” That’s all those few men needed to hear some 70 years ago when they started the CRM. It’s amazing what can actually be done, when we accept who we are and obey what we are asked to do. I only hope I continue to listen.