Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/394678
transformation >> 'When I met Christ' ROBERT MITCHELL national news >> National leaders meet with President Obama MAJOR FRANK DURACHER I n his 15–year battle with alcohol, Larry Norwood went through the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) program in Buffalo, N.Y., four times. Although Larry says "Seeds were planted" in him each time he graduated from the program, he "continued to struggle." He had tried Alcoholics Anony- mous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) programs, but something was miss- ing. When in December 2012 he entered the ARC program for the fourth time, he finally found that missing piece. "It wasn't until I met Christ that every- thing changed," Larry says. Within a week, Larry met Captain Daryl Calhoun. Lt. Colonel Timothy Raines, the former ARC commander, also encour- aged Larry. This time, Larry responded to an altar call. "I just broke down and cried," he says. "I said, 'No more, Father. I'm going to do what You tell me to do. I'm going to do this.' "I was tired of using. I knew [change] was going to happen this time because I wanted something greater than the things of this world. I prayed, 'Father, I just want to be obedient to Your Word and to what You want me to do.' I knew that, this time, it was going to make a big differ- ence." Last year, the man who grew up in a blue–collar home, surrounded by alcohol and abuse, graduated from the ARC program. He is now attending Erie Community College, and is on track to receive his associate's degree in addic- tion counseling. In January, this 55–year–old hopes to attend the University of Buffalo and to earn a bachelor's degree. "I'm just one of the many people whose life changed through many op- portunities extended to me by The Salva- tion Army," Larry says. "I just took them up on it this time. "The Army gave me everything that I needed. They nourished me and they brought me along. But, they take no credit for that. Instead, they give it all to Christ." Larry, who attends church at the Buffalo ARC, said he has found the tools he needs to succeed through the encouragement of Envoy Bryden Swires, the ARC administra- tor, as well as Major James Klemowski, a retired officer and chaplain. "I read the Word and apply it. I fellow- ship with other Christians and I talk to my mentors. I never did that before." Swires says, "We're proud of Larry and all he has accomplished through his relationship with God." Larry says he no longer smokes, curses, or engages in other dangerous behaviors. His focus now is to help people, whether as a student on campus or as a soup kitchen or shelter volunteer. When extra suits became available through dona- tions, Larry helped procure some for the men at the Buffalo ARC. And as he seeks his degree, he interns with the Center for Employment Opportunity. "I'm a mentor," he says. "To the best of my ability, I do what Jesus did and give to other people what Christ gave to me." C ommissioners Barbara and David Jeffrey, national presi- dent of women's ministries and national commander, respectively, along with Lt. Colonels Carol and Ron Bus- roe, national director for public policy, and national community relations and development secretary, respectively, joined Presi- dent Barack Obama on August 5 for a morning meeting in the Oval Office. "The President was very cordial and expressed gracious comments about the nonpartisan ser- vice of The Salvation Army across America," Jef- frey said. "We also spoke to him concerning our work around the world, in particular in Mexico, and in Central and South America." Other subjects covered in the 20–minute meeting included the Pathway of Hope, the Army's anti–intergenerational poverty initiative, the Ray & Joan Kroc Community Centers, the Adult Rehabilitation Centers programs, and corps programing in general. "We shared in some detail the economic impact of the Phila- delphia Kroc Center," Jeffrey said. "We also suggested that he might wish to visit the center in Chicago or in Hawaii." President Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and spent many years living and working in Chicago. 5 www.saconnects.org