A Love Story – Sheldon, Iowa
"I've been incarcerated since I was 21 for financial crimes-bad checks, forgery, and theft. This is my fourth time out of prison," explained Larry, now 36. "Being in and out of prison, I never used the opportunities to better myself." Because of his incarceration, Larry hadn't even met his five-year-old daughter, Taylor. The consequences of his crimes reached further than he had imagined. He was not the person he wanted to be.
Larry was referred to Love INC's Relational Ministry program by his counselor at the residential treatment facility where he was staying. He began Love INC's 10-week budgeting class and was assigned to a mentor named Sid Vander Griend. "Sid loves Larry," said Lora Petitt, executive director of Love INC of Greater Sheldon in Sheldon, Iowa. "Sid always comments to me, ‘I can't believe how much my life has changed since meeting Larry.' It's always remarkable how well the Lord matches up clients and their mentors."
"I went to my first class not knowing what to think or what their agenda was," said Larry. "The first night the doors opened, I knew it was a good fit for me. Love INC has given me a lot of hope. I've come up with a spending plan. I know how I want to see myself in the future and what my goals are. I've had enough of jail. It's time to get my life right.
"Since I've gotten to know Sid, he's like a grandpa figure to me. I had immediate respect for him. The way he presents ideas makes me want to listen. He's really concerned about me and my future. He's trying to help me see obstacles ahead of time.
"I've always considered myself a Christian. I grew up in church and Sunday school. In high school, I fell away from that. But Sid bought me a Bible. I'm reading that every day, and realizing that there's God's will for my life in everything I do."
"In Larry, I see somebody who is in need of being encouraged-somebody to say ‘you can do it.'" said Sid, an 81-year-old farmer and World War II veteran. "I'll be working with him as long as I can be helpful. Larry's quite a guy. I'm just proud of him."
Larry is now employed at a grocery store, working toward becoming a manager. He is also studying computer networking at a community college. And he has begun to spend time with his daughter Taylor, to be the kind of father he wants to be. "You know, I've never had anyone help me before, expect my parole officer," Larry said. "This is the first time I've ever had people looking at the good I can do, not just waiting for me to mess up again. I have never experienced the level of concern and compassion from a group of people such as Love In the Name of Christ. I've got an ace in the hole with the support of Love INC. My life has been changed, and I will forever be grateful."