July 2011 Newsletter
New Beginnings
Tug of War
Hi, my name is Lee Butler and I am forty years old. I was born in Detroit Michigan. I have ten brothers and sisters. My mother passed away when I was three years old. My father was an alcoholic, so my grandmother asked my father to stop drinking and take care of his kids. He said he wouldn't, so she took on the responsibility of raising ten kids after raising the ten kids she already had.
All my aunts and uncles drank exposing me to alcohol at the early age of 4 years old. My uncles would put beer in my bottle to make me go to sleep, relieving the responsibility of having to take care of me. After a few years my grandmother made the decision she couldn't raise ten more kids in the city. Things were getting out of hand, so she decided to move back to her mother's house in Bassett, VA.
Growing up we didn't have a lot, but we had what we needed. MyGrandmother cared deeply and did a great job raising us.
I can remember, when I was about 12 years old, my grandmother would have a fish fry on Saturdays to make extra money. My job was to take sandwiches to the local pool hall. For my tip they would give me some of their beer or liquor. I loved this. I looked forward to Saturdays all throughout middle school, knowing I could have a drink and not get in trouble. As I got older, I began to drink recreationally with friends. After I graduated high school I went straight to work to help my grandmother pay the bills. I worked at a local furniture factory. I quickly discovered it was expected to drink in the morning, at lunch, and after work. This was the beginning of the end.
I met a young lady and soon she was pregnant. We had a little girl and this all hit me very fast. I knew the responsible thing to do was to quit drinking and be the father I never had. I made that decision. Within two weeks the pressure was too great and I found myself back in the grips of addiction. Now, I lived a double life to hide my problems from those closest to me. I was becoming an excellent liar, thief, manipulator, and was unfaithful to the ones I loved. What I wanted I got, and nobody could stop me.
Life carried on and I was convinced I had it together. Two years slowly went by and we found out we were going to have a son. Again, I wanted to do the responsiblething and stop drinking. I checked myself into a 28 day program. I completed this with a renewed energy and take on life. I was finally going to be a real father to my kids. I was taking care of my family and God blessed me with a great job. I quickly moved up the corporate ladder becoming a supervisor of one of the largest grocery chains in Seattle, WA. Life went smoothly for a while, until one Thursday I had an exceedingly hard day at work. I battled back and forth in my head, but told myself I could drink just one beer. That one beer would be the key to my downfall. I was quickly out of control. I was drinking so much that when my kids and their mother left me, it didn't faze me. I had become what I never wanted to be.....my father.
I stayed in Seattle while my family left me and moved to Virginia. For the next 15 years I slowly killed myself. My addiction grew larger than I could handle. I missed my family and decided to move back to Virginia, in with my sister. I was still drinking and running from my problems . I remember waking up hung-over and asking the Lord to restore purpose and meaning to my life. God was quick to answer my prayer. That day a friend came to see me, telling me to get some help. She told me about Teen Challenge. I filled out the paper work, and sent it to Wayne Duesberry. I was accepted into the program and God began a miracle in my life. He restored me and gave me a new heart, filling me up with eternal peace, joy, and love.
I thank God for the staff here and the wisdom they have shown me. For the first time I am complete. God has saved me from destruction and death. I would like to close with a song we sing in choir. It says "I'm not going BACK, I'm moving ahead, my past is over; in YOU, all things are made new." I want to thank Jesus for the work He has done in me and what He will continue to do. Amen.
Since Lee's graduation in April we asked him to come on staff and be part of the team helping those who come to us with similar needs and addictions. Lee is a great addition to our staff and we look forward to sharing many victories with him.
Please keep Lee and all our staff in your prayers as we diligently do the work of the Lord.
Director's Corner......
My wife, Debbie, and I had the privilege of attending the memorial service for David Wilkerson, which was held May 14th, at the Times Square Church in New York City. It was an honor to be part of the thousands in attendance. We sat with other Teen Challenge directors from across the country and around the world.
We laughed, we cried and we were challenged as memories of “Brother Dave”, Dad, father-in-law, pastor and friend were shared with the congregation. I told Debbie I felt as though I had been re-commissioned into the ministry. Being reminded of our beginnings and the faithfulness of one man brought a renewed purpose and vision to life. It was good to be reminded that our obedience to the Lord is more important than all the sacrifices we may make.
My desire is to be obedient to whatever God asks of me. As we labor together to see young men rescued from the grip of the enemy, we will continue to trust the Lord, lean on Him and let Him direct our paths. What He calls us to do, He will provide all we need to fulfill it.
I personally thank you for being obedient to the Lord in your giving to Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge. May God richly bless you for your faithfulness!
Sunday School Class Donates Over $4,000.00
Challenged by their Sunday School teacher, this class of young people from Glenwood Friends Church, raised over $4,000.00 for Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge. What a lesson for all of us. Their teacher told them if they collected enough pennies to stretch out for one mile it would be 800 dollars. After one week the class brought in one mile. Excited, the teacher challenged them to collect more miles. They took her challenge to heart and did an amazing job. We challenge more people to start collecting miles for Teen Challenge. Thanks young people. You are a true blessing!
PRAYER LADIES
So many people comment how they feel the presence of the Lord when they come onto our property. We feel it’s because we are covered with prayer.
For the past 25 years, the ladies prayer group has been a vital part of the ministry of Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge. The purpose of the prayer group is to pray for the needs of the students and staff. When we organized the first prayer group in 1986, we had about a dozen women attending. Our numbers have dwindled for various reasons. Because of the decrease in numbers there isn’t always someone available to come every week.
The Prayer Team meets each Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Teen Challenge Chapel. Would you consider being part of this vital ministry. If you are interested give Lorna a call at 336-292-7795 x 300. We truly believe the results of this ministry is because of prayer. You can be part of this ongoing ministry.
Grandover Golf Tournament
August 13th, 2011
Attention All Golfers
This is a tournament you do NOT want to miss.
Join us at one of the most prestigious golf courses in
North Carolina...Grandover Resort.
$1000.00 per team of four includes:
continental breakfast, wonderful buffet luncheon,
awesome goodie bags, free practice range balls
and spectacular prizes.
Those who have participated in this event in the past know
what a great tournament it is.
Join us this year. For information and registration form
call the office at 336-292-7795
