At Last There Is Hope!
By: Sandra Nelson, RN, BSN, CAC

The United States Army has a catchy slogan that they have used to recruit individuals. It says, “Be all that you can be, join the Army.” Peniel has a slogan too, posted above the front door, “At last there is hope.” I can put these two slogans together and sum up what has happened in my life since I came to a place called Peniel.

I was introduced to this ministry in 1989 through my oldest sister who at that time had a son caught in the web of addiction. This began a relationship that has grown to become the greatest event in my life. Through that simple beginning a disjointed family structure is becoming a balanced family unit. To date I have had two nephews, a sister, and my only son freed from the horrible pit of drug addiction. I owe this to the leadership and direction of Marion and Harold Spellman and the competent staff at Peniel.

In June 1991 I walked the grounds of Peniel when it was located in Somerset, Penn., and there the Lord planted a dream in my heart for this ministry. A place like this needed a medical unit. I thought about a detoxification unit. What Peniel had to offer a client needed to be started at the inception of their treatment, when a client is in their most critical state.

In November 1992, while attending an Adopt-A-Resident prayer breakfast for Peniel, the Lord impressed me to “Give a Year.” Little did I know then that I would still be here nearly nine years later. I am directing the medical department, a part of the educational department, and I also serve as teacher for group therapy and drug awareness classes. I have received my certification through the State of Pennsylvania as a certified addiction counselor (CAC) and also serve as one of the evaluators for other persons seeking certification as a CAC through the Pennsylvania Certification Board.

I have gone back to school and completed all the requirements to receive m Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and finished with a 3.484 cumulative GPA. I am looking forward to going to graduate school pursuing a masters degree in nursing and becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, which will bring us closer still to our goal of opening the detoxification unit.

So, as you see, I took the plunge and entered the army—this army at Peniel and my life has never been the same. There is a song that is sung by the Wilmington-Chester Mass Choir that says, “God is preparing me for something I cannot handle now.” Truly I can say that God still is preparing me for something better—many things!

I would not be the woman I am today had it not been for Peniel. I’ve had many offers to go many places and do many things but I am not for sale. My heart is fixed and my mind is made up. God gave me a song that the angels cannot sing. I have been redeemed, my family has been redeemed, and I have seen countless others that have been redeemed because of this ministry.

I have joined the army at Peniel and this has been the greatest movie could have ever made.