“Pete was always my little star,” says Nadia, Pete’s mom. But when Pete was deep in his addiction, she asked him, “Why are you my little star that doesn’t shine?”
When Pete turned his life around at the Mission, Nadia was filled with joy: “Now that he has changed, my little star shines.”
Today, Pete spreads God’s light to other hurting men on campus — men who are experiencing similar struggles that Pete once wrestled with. He is in our Ministry Training program, wanting to give back in the same way he was helped during his darkest days.
“Being able to communicate with the guys is a tremendous blessing,” he says. “The most rewarding part is being able to express my feelings and my story with someone and not being ashamed about it.”
He’s even shared his story at a local church on Mother’s Day with his mom.
“Mom was crying,” he says. “It was very emotional but rewarding. So many prayers were answered.”
Indeed, Nadia says she “never lost faith in God” while Pete struggled with his addiction. “I asked God to make my little star shine again.”
At Christmas, we think of another shining star, one that lit the way to a Bethlehem stable where the Son of God was born in a manger.
Thanks to friends like you, Pete, Nadia and their whole family are blessed to be celebrating Christmas together, again.
“If it wasn’t for your help, I wouldn’t have a future to look forward to,” says Pete. “Thank you for helping me with my journey.”
