David Mason

I really thought I had everything under control before I came to Teen Challenge Georgia International. I maintained a steady job. I had good friends. I always had a home and a vehicle, so I thought I was doing pretty well. But slowly, my life started going down hill. I started drinking before work. I had to get high all of the time which consumed all of my money. Suddenly, I realized that my life was going in circles. That only made matters worse. I decided to pursue music as a career so I could say I did something with my life. Within three years, I was living out my dream. I was playing three or four nights a week with various bands, as well as doing some work for a small time studio. I wasn't making great money, but it paid my expenses. Unfortunately, it also enabled me to drink for free almost every night. I finally had what I wanted and was miserable. I started taking pills, drinking day and night in addition to doing every drug that came along. I was not paying my bills. One day, as I was coming home from a gig, I wrecked my car. In one day, I lost my car, my home, all of my money, even my best friend. I was lost, discouraged and confused so I sought comfort in pills and the bottle. At my lowest point, I stole all of my grandparents' pills and shacked up in a cheap motel. I didn't even know what I was taking. I simply took handfuls of pills at a time, and I remember thinking, "Am I high yet? " I had grown numb. So I cried out to Jesus "what do you want me to do?" God led me to Teen Challenge Georgia International. I tried to get in many other programs but they were all full, closed or remodeling. God sent me to Teen Challenge Georgia International by divine appointment. I remember clearly the way God kept me. Even when I wanted to leave, I knew God had placed me here and I was going to stay no matter what I felt like. When I finally decided to be obedient to God and commit to doing whatever it took for as long as it took, I had a breakthrough. No longer was I thinking about the time I was here or how much time I had left. I simply knew I was here and God said He would move me when it was time for me to go. I now have peace. I understand that peace that passes all understanding. My job is to be obedient. He is the author and finisher of my faith, so I will trust Him to use me when, where and how He wants to. I now know what true freedom is and Teen Challenge Georgia International is the tool God used to help me experience and really know Him. I praise God for what He has done in my life! I am now working at Teen Challenge Georgia International as the Intake/ Church Service Coordinator. I enjoy helping others, encouraging them through the tuff times. I am planning on attending the School of ministry in the summer of this year. Some day I hope with God's help to become a Director of a Center under the leadership of my mentor Tim Newbon.