David is counting his blessings this Thanksgiving. He is no longer homeless, receives Godly guidance from his counselor and, by far the most significant, knows Jesus Christ as his Savior.

David arrived at the Good News Men’s Shelter in mid-October after a job loss led to his homelessness. The 62-year-old is looking forward to our Thanksgiving celebration this week with a grateful heart. “I’m thankful because I came here and met [my Good News counselor],” David said. “My life hasn’t been good but I’m learning how to do things the right way.”

For years David was doing things the wrong way. A Florida native who grew up in Alexandria, Indiana, he peddled marijuana in the 1980s and ‘90s, growing his customer base to more than 100 users. The law eventually caught up with David and he was arrested on sales and possession charges, resulting in a prison sentence.

Upon his release David took a factory job and adopted an older dog as a companion. When the dog developed health problems David took it back to the shelter where staff suspected he’d been mistreating the animal. Upon running a criminal background check they discovered David’s record; that resulted in another arrest followed by the loss of his employment and housing. He’s scheduled to go to court in January. Regardless of what happens then, David has peace. He received God’s gift of salvation early this month and is reading the Bible for the first time in his life! Thursday he’ll join his fellow Men’s Shelter residents in thanking God for the gifts of food, housing and the hope of Heaven.