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Following a Path Laid Out by the Lord

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That “place” turned out to be the Bay Area Rescue Mission where Odale walked in the door and was greeted by men saying, “Bless you, Brother.”

Still, Odale wasn’t “too sure” about this place, but decided to stay for a few days in our emergency shelter. And, because he didn’twant to just “sit around and do nothing,” he volunteered in the kitchen.

“The guys there kept talking to me about ‘the program’ [the Rescue Mission’s long-term Recovery Program], and since I had no money and nowhere else to go, I decided to go ahead and sign up.”

During his time in the program, Odale decided to read the Bible – from Genesis to Revelation! And, along the way, he started asking questions and finding answers.

“The Rescue Mission showed me how to go forward. Today, my life is about giving back.”

Odale’s time in the kitchen reawakened a love of cooking, which led him into the Rescue Mission’s Culinary Arts Program, run in collaboration with Contra Costa College.

Between reading his way through the Bible and cooking, Odale learned how to give up his old ways and be “a new man.” He got his GED here at the Rescue Mission and mended bridges with his family.

When Odale’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, one of the Rescue Mission’s program graduates bought him a ticket back to Detroit so he could be there for her final days.

“Ma, look what I’ve done!”

Odale’s mother didn’t live to see him graduate, but he says, “Spiritually, I know she’s 3 watching me.” And she must be mighty pleased with what she sees!

Odale’s at the top of his class at Contra Costa College with a 4.0 grade point average! He’s had several job offers, but he’s turned them down to stay here at the Rescue Mission. “It’s not about the money,” he says. “It’s about giving back.”

“I think the Culinary Arts Program could use a person like me,” he says with a grin. “I’m dedicated. I love what I’m doing, and I think I can show the people coming through this program what it takes. I’ve done what God wanted me to do.”

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