CHOICE CAMP: ADDICT STRIVES TO CHANGE

TRINITY -- Going hungry, sleeping under bridges and panhandling to get
another drug fix were Robert Chapman's life for the five months he
roamed the streets of Dallas, Texas.

His arms had become tracked like a pin cushion as he fed a habit that
cost as much as $100 a day. That was how low Chapman's life had sunk
by the time he landed in the Harvest Camp rehabilitation program in
Trinity three months ago at age 26.

His road to addiction started at age 14 with a marijuana cigarette in
middle school in his native Rock Hill, S.C. Soon he was experimenting
with LSD, heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and Ecstasy. "By the
time I was 18 or 19, I was a full blown drug addict. I started selling
drugs to support my habit," he said.

Chapman said that the spiritual emphasis of the rehab program at
Harvest Camp has given him something that was missing in his life. The
camp, located in an old farm house off Covered Bridge Road, is a place
for those who are depressed and those dependent on drugs or alcohol.
The camp is a part of the ministry of His Laboring Few Ministries in
Thomasville.

"There was always something missing in my life. I was a liar and a
con," said Chapman. "I wanted to showboat and be a big shot. I was
the black sheep in my family -- the wild man. I was raised in a
Baptist church, but I was just there because I had to be. I have been
in four or five state rehab centers -- places where my parents paid
$500 to $800 a day. They were worthless.

"This place (Harvest Camp) doesn't cost a dime; it's operated strictly
on faith. I can't explain the peace I have now -- I never had a real
relationship with the Lord before I came here."

By early December, Chapman said he had "been clean for over 100
days." He ended his 90-day stay at the camp in late December and
plans to go home and begin a new job. He also said he is looking to
propose to his girlfriend of seven years.

Despite Chapman's many problems with drugs, Stephanie Helms of Rock
Hill thinks they can still have a life together. "I love him because I
know he is a good person," she said.

Chapman said he wants to get involved in a ministry for homeless
people when he returns home.

Although there isn't any medical report to verify that Chapman is
cured of his drug habit, he vows that he's found a new life. "Rob
still has some issues to deal with but he's made progress," said His
Laboring Few pastor Steve Ervin.

Adds Regina Shinn, Chapman's mother: "I feel like he is on the right
track. For the first time since he was 14, I've been able to sleep at
night."

Shinn said that she's encouraged that Harvest Camp boasts a 94 percent
success rate in helping people overcome their addictions.

Chapman said seeing miracles take place in the lives of the other men
at Harvest Camp has given him a new vision for life: "When I get home
I want people to look at me and see a new person."