It is genuinely exciting to see the guys in our Program make important strides forward in their lives. One of those areas involves working toward their high school diplomas. While most of us know about the GED (General Educational Development) program, since 1978, the State of Maryland has also provided another avenue for “mature adults” to earn their high school diploma – called the External Diploma Program (EDP). Recently, Dr. Jeanette sent me this note about one of our guys working on his EDP.
Every once in awhile, something is so nicely written that I want to forward it to your blog. This little paragraph was written by Roderick, who had been working about three hours a week with Judy for writing tutoring:
I look at being at the Helping Up Mission as a blessing in disguise. I say this because I had been trying to get my life together for a long time now, and I have not been able to do it by myself. Then I had a guy tell me about the Helping Up Mission while I was incarcerated. Since I’ve been here, my life has been changing. I’ve noticed that my thoughts have been more positive, and I no longer participate in negative activities that are going on around me. This is why I say that the Helping Up Mission is a blessing in disguise. On the outside, people do not see that on the inside of the Mission men are changing their lives.
He once said to us, “You guys sure have me doing a lot of writing. I have never written stuff like this before.”
I like how he begins with the Mission being a blessing in disguise and ends the last sentence with that same idea.
Well, I didn’t notice how his paragraph began and ended with the same idea, but I am glad she is happy about it! But I am very pleased that Dr. J has invested herself here to help our men; that so many folks (like Judy) take the time to tutor men in their work; and that so many guys are finding success in furthering their education here at Helping Up Mission. God is good!
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director