Pap

For the sake of anonymity, the subject of this post will be referred to as Pap. Pap is a 43 year old recovering alcoholic, and a member of the program at The Shelter. Having grown up in the slums of Pattaya, he has had a background most of us would consider a nightmare. He never learned how to make a bed, clean a toilet, or even brush his teeth. This is all part of the past for Pap now though. Not only has he learned basic life skills at The Shelter, but he has also tasted the love of God the father, and his past is just that, past. He was barely schooled as a child, and care hardly read, but that doesn’t stop Pap from taking his Bible everywhere with him, and take the time and energy to read it in depth too.

Pap has a 13 year old son living with his parents in Pattaya, whom he has never been involved with. Along with the change in his spiritual and hygienic life, Pap now has the desire to be involved with his son. He has even chosen to send 60% of his monthly spending money to his youngster every four weeks. Pap has finally recovered a hope for a relationship with his son, and with the help of The Shelter, can look forward to the reunion in the near future. The Shelter is planning on helping Pap meet with his son, as well as his parents, as part of Pap’s recovery, as well as helping Pap shape his life after The Shelter.

Please pray that the details of the meeting come into place easily, and also that all the bitterness that has been building for years would immediately be erased by the grace of God. God is in the interest of restoring relationships, and I believe that God looks down on this situation with even more anticipation that Pap does.

The Shelter

Location: Across the street from the airport, Bangkok, Thailand

History: Well. It all started way back when man decided to get drunk, and then smoke a little of this and shoot a little of that. Since then mankind has seen hundreds lose themselves to the powers of addiction, specifically to various drugs and alcohols. Fifteen years ago, Swiss fellow named Rolf realized this problem and decided it was time for a change. After spending a couple of years working for a rehab program in Germany, Rolf packed his things and abandoned his native continent, finding a new home in Thailand. Thirteen years, one wedding, and numerous changed lives later, Rolf is still going strong as the leader of The Shelter.

Mission: The Shelter is a rehabilitation program based around Christian community and the well being of ones soul, not just body. They welcome lost men into their program, encouraging them to stay for 12 to 15 weeks. The men live in a shared bedroom, work together, eat together, and play together. No cell phones, handling of money, or independent trips away from The Shelter are allowed. They also participate in daily worship, church on Sundays, and “Family Night” on Friday evening. They also do not hold the men. This means that the men who come in are there completely by their own will, and may leave if they choose. The fact that anyone at all chooses to stay at The Shelter speaks heaps for the love that the organization sheds on these men, as most addicts require a more prison-like system to get through the more difficult urges to use.

Some of the dudes at The Shelter in the "Family Room"

Situation: They currently have 8 men involved in the program, along with one in their post-program living, and 4 staff members. They have enough housing for their current members, but also have a long waiting list, so they are hoping to expand their housing soon. They also need a larger car, preferably a van, for transport of the whole group. Although they have four staff, there is still a need for volunteers, as looking after 8 men who haven’t looked after them

selves can get challenging at times. Finally, they are in need of regular supporters. Rolf is confident in God’s ability to provide, and says He always has, but Rolf also says that having people who pledged to monthly support would really help, as they never know where the money will come from until it happens.
Please pray for God’s provision in all of these areas, as well as His continual presence in the work that The Shelter do

es. There is no doubt that lives have been changed, and we want to thank God for that and pray that it continues to go strong in the years to come.