A Willing Worker

After a cold and dreary winter, how refreshing to drive into the Mission parking lot and see beautiful blooms of purple, yellow, and orange peeking through the melting snow. The flowers, donated to the Mission by the City Parks and Recreation Department, were planted by Tom Hester, a Mission resident. Tom loves to work outside and enjoys seeing the results of his hard work.

Tom grew up in Winston-Salem and went to church every Sunday. As a young man, he accepted Christ as his Savior but began to rebel against what he knew in his heart was right. At the age of 16, he began drinking. Tom says that from that time on, he began to live 100 percent for the Devil. After graduating from R. J. Reynolds High School, Tom continued his reckless and carefree life-style. His parents divorced, and Tom then lived with his dad. Tom was in and out of trouble and had one problem after another. Tom says, "All the problems that I have had in my life were all related to alcohol. Many times I could have died, but God protected me through it all." He came to the Mission for the first time in 1970 when he was twenty-five years old and stayed for a few days. However, after leaving, he continued drinking. Tom reflects how the Lord gave him many chances to turn back to Him, but he kept going his own way.

In 1980, Tom was married, and about one year later, he got a job at a furniture company working in the boiler and finishing rooms. He worked there for fifteen years and planned to work there until he reached retirement age. However, Tom's plans for the future came to a halt when the company went out of business. After this setback in his life, Tom worked at various temporary jobs when he was able to find one. While he was out of work, his drinking got worse. Between jobs he would end up at the Mission and tried many times to get help for his drinking habit.

"My family stood by me through it all," Tom acknowledges, "especially my three sisters. I don't know what I would have done without them." Tom's sisters constantly express their gratitude to the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission for giving Tom chance after chance and providing him with a safe place to stay. Tom spends his days around the Mission, doing yard work and anything else that he is asked to do. "I need to stay busy," says Tom. "You have heard that old saying, 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' I have certainly found that true in my life."

Tom is grateful for the many ways that God has used the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission to help him. "I appreciate how the Mission teaches men to live the Christian life and the way the Mission staff members treat the men. I enjoy hearing the preachers who come to the Chapel services, and I think about what they have said many times. When I'm here, I feel 100 percent protected. The Mission has really helped me, and I am so grateful. I know that I need to stay busy while I am here, and if the Devil starts to get on my back, I can go to a staff member and tell them what I am feeling. They will listen to me and pray with me and help me to focus on living for the Lord rather that letting the Devil get me down."

While working with plants and flowers, Tom is learning that they need to be watered and fed to make them grow and flourish. Tom is also learning that He needs nourishment from God's word and help from God's people to help him live a victorious Christian life.