New Hope University and Peace Academy

TWhen we began the walk of faith that became first a family charity, and then gradually evolved into the New Hope Anabaptist Faith and the New Hope School, it began when I met a small cluster of nuns while I was helping maintain a Catholic Church that was scheduled for demolition, but was still being used for a poor Hispanic congregation in downtown Fort Wayne.

At the time I was deeply troubled, quite insane - and riddled with addiction and the kind of self-hatred and doubt that walks hand in hand with Doctor Phil "Tough Love" philosophies and America's cruel and sadistic "War on Drugs".

But, I am my Father's son, a Catholic then, now and always - and I am good with tools. On days when I was not knee deep in my own crepulence and problems, I would visit that beautiful church, and fix things.

Sister Rita approached me after mass, a towering person - one of the most intimidating people I've ever known (yet she is tiny ). In her soft voice she asked if I could fix a record player at the nun house a few blocks away.

I was not aware that moment would change the arc of my existence - and begin to restore my hope, and my ability to walk among people without shame or fear.

Two years later my friend Mike Benedict and I were beginning Right Hand Enterprises (Helping People Help Each Other), and I was sweating

o ask for help honestly honors both self and God, and it feeds the world - for to ask for and receive help provides the giver with the fruit of human kindness - a spiritual banquet

When we began the walk of faith that became first a family charity, and then gradually evolved into the New Hope Anabaptist Faith and the New Hope School, it began when I met a small cluster of nuns while I was helping maintain a Catholic Church that was scheduled for demolition, but was still being used for a poor Hispanic congregation in downtown Fort Wayne.

At the time I was deeply troubled, quite insane - and riddled with addiction and the kind of self-hatred and doubt that walks hand in hand with Doctor Phil "Tough Love" philosophies and America's cruel and sadistic "War on Drugs".

But, I am my Father's son, a Catholic then, now and always - and I am good with tools. On days when I was not knee deep in my own crepulence and problems, I would visit that beautiful church, and fix things.

Sister Rita approached me after mass, a towering person - one of the most intimidating people I've ever known (yet she is tiny ). In her soft voice she asked if I could fix a record player at the nun house a few blocks away.

I was not aware that moment would change the arc of my existence - and begin to restore my hope, and my ability to walk among people without shame or fear.

Two years later my friend Mike Benedict and I were beginning Right Hand Enterprises (Helping People Help Each Other), and I was sweating

o ask for help honestly honors both self and God, and it feeds the world - for to ask for and receive help provides the giver with the fruit of human kindness - a spiritual banquet.