Hope's Bright Promise

Andy Carlson always knew he wanted to be a millionaire.  In 1994, he sold his motorcycle for $15,000 and launched Handy Andy’s Buildings and Truck Accessories.  Six years later, at the age of 35, he realized his dream when sales reached well over $1,000,000.

On top of the world, Andy left his wife, began using cocaine and became involved with another woman.  Soon his drug habit reached $1,000 to $1,500 a day, his business began to flounder and his girlfriend said goodbye.

“When I left my wife, I told her I wanted a different life by the time I was 40,” Andy admits.  “Well, I woke up at 40 in the Wake County Jail.”

By November 30, 2005, Andy had lost everything, but his desire to kick his drug habit.  “I walked by Raleigh Rescue Mission and saw the mission statement on the building: Solving the Problem of Homelessness One Life at a Time.  I didn’t know what they did, but I knew I needed help.”

At Raleigh Rescue Mission, RRM’s Chaplain Duane Cook introduced Andy to our Life Plan Program and to Jesus Christ.  “He asked if I knew Jesus Christ.  I said, ‘The one in the Bible?’  I’d heard of Him but didn’t know anything about Him.”

December 10 became decision day for Andy as he struggled with the urge to leave the Mission and use drugs.  “By then I’d read the book of John.  I prayed seriously for the first time in my life: ‘God, I don’t really want to use or leave this place.  Please lift this addiction and lift my thoughts.’”

Instantly Andy lost the urge to use drugs.  “I opened my eyes and turned to God,” he says.  “So 40 was also the year Jesus came into my life and changed me.  Now I want to share my testimony and help others as I become a more mature Christian.  Even though I was a millionaire, it didn’t make me happy.  But when the Spirit came to live inside me, I felt the change.  It was a work of God.”

“I want to thank Raleigh Rescue Mission for changing my life,” Andy says, “and for those who helped make it possible.  I hope my story encourages others to give.”