Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission means a great deal to me in ways that I may not be able to express in its entirety throughout the rest of this letter. What I can say is that the family of Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission has been a blessing to me. When I was lost in life and had no direction, God allowed His grace, mercy, compassion and sweet Holy Spirit to unite me with the love and the fellowship of the Mission.

I first came to the Mission on June 17th, 2003 and became a member of the New Creations Discipleship Recovery program. Two days after that is a day that I will never forget. It was a Thursday morning at 9 a.m. in the prayer room on the third floor. I received the Lord Jesus Christ into my life and came into fellowship with the body of Christ.

I lived a life of drugs and alcohol for almost 20 years, and a sinful life of unnatural affections, lost with no peace, no hope of expecting anything good in my life, wanting to end my life and wishing that I never existed because the drugs had complete control over me. But God had a master plan at work and in that plan he has given me another chance at life to do His will and to live in freedom from the bondage of sin and I am victorious in all that I do.

On April 1st, 2004, I completed the recovery program, but not to long after my graduation, my life took an alternate course of action. I relapsed and for two and a half weeks, my life seemed that it was coming to an end, but God said not so. He still had a plan at work for my life.

April 22, 2004, I re-entered back into the Mission’s recovery program and was welcomed back to the fellowship of believers. That same day I rededicated my life back to the Lord and I have been growing stronger and healthier every day.

I am a student in our relapse prevention program called Genesis, which is very effective, a great character builder and an essential tool for those who are willing to make a difference in their lives from drugs and alcohol.

To all the staff of Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, thank you for your love, support, training and your prayers. God has truly blessed you to be an impact in my life. May God continue to strengthen you and anoint you in all that you say and do for His kingdom. Always remember and never forget, “Love never dies.”

Harley Ivan Reaves Jr.