When Kathy and I became the Recovery Ministers at Agape, we began working in an area of which we had no knowledge or experience. We minister to people who are working through their addictions to alcohol, drugs, or sex, or have been abused by their spouses or family members. Neither of us have ever struggled with any of these issues, however. So, about 7 months ago when we came on staff we began buying as many books as we could, attending training sessions, and meeting with and talking to people who struggle with these issues to gain a better understanding. While I have not had the chance to read all the books I now have on my shelves because of school, I intend on getting through all of them during Summer break! However, without having read a single word, I can already say that whatever I get out of those readings will still fall short of experiencing first hand the struggles that our people are going through.
I decided a couple months ago that if I couldn't actually be addicted or abused, the next best thing was to attend support group meetings to hear people's stories and witness how the secular world (very successfully) helps the addicted and abused. So, during Spring Break I nervously went downtown to the Alano Club where various support groups meet every day. The Alano Club is a beautiful Victorian mini-mansion with a grand staircase, working kitchen, basement, loft, and about 10 rooms, each with names like The Study, The Clock Room, The Board Room, etc. Every room is magnificently decorated with couches, fireplaces, mantles, chairs, art, bookshelves, grandfather clocks, and windows overlooking downtown. What struck me by this place is the dignity it provides its visitors. We weren't relegated to a dark, windowless basement or the creepy backroom of some shop. These people, from the moment they walk in the building, are treated like...people! Not the dregs of society. Right off the bat we were treated with dignity. As anyone else. As normal. I was told by people there that the Alano Club is the nicest recovery center on the entire west coast. In fact, I met one couple who had moved to Portland and even within walking distance of the place just so they could regularly attend!
On one day I sat in on a NA (Narcotics Anonymous) meeting from 3:00-4:00, an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting from 5:30-6:30, and an SAA (Sexual Addicts Anonymous) meeting from 7:00-8:00. I picked these groups and times because these were open meetings, so "observers" were allowed to visit when normally they wouldn't be allowed to. I guess that means that the members of the groups weren't as open and honest (or detailed!) with me there as they usually are when the meetings are closed.
The first thing I noticed as I walked into these meetings were the people. How could I not - they were incredibly friendly and welcoming! Before the meetings had even started I had already been met by a handful of people and had been offered a chair to sit in. One person I met (Paul) not only introduced himself to me, shook my hand, and welcomed me to the AA meeting, but 2 days later when I attended another 3 meetings at the Alano Club he saw me from across the parking lot, yelled out my name (he remembered my name!) and came up to me to chat.
The attendees were as diverse as you can imagine, but with no apparent divisions among them. There were some who were still wearing their suits and ties (they had come straight from work) and some who were obviously living out in the streets. There were some who were probably grandparents and others who were still teenagers. There were men and women, whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Russians. Yet they had conversations with each other, spoke the same language, and acted respectfully towards one another. The third tradition of AA says, "The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking." These people lived that way.
To Be Continued...
