Recovering through religion: The Lighthouse Mission Ministries

KaRon Godbold, 53, pauses in his New Life program dormitory at the Lighthouse Mission Ministries in downtown Bellingham on Thursday, Nov. 17, reflecting on his past riddled with substance abuse and how far he has come since then. He said he is proud of the document on his nightstand called “The Resolution,” which outlines how he will stay clean through his relationship with Christianity. He said he believes people cannot do anything perfect, and that only God can.

Godbold goes over his homework with New Life program Chaplain Aaron Speyer. Goldbold is set to graduate from the Christian discipleship program in February 2012, completing a full year of studies. “If you don’t have God in your life, it’s all for nothing,” he said.

Godbold points to the chore list shared by the more than 15 men in the New Life program. The men switch off their chores weekly so as not to be stuck with one chore each week. They are expected to keep their areas very clean, and drug and alcohol free.

The New Life program refrigerator combines cartoons and the comforts of pizza with quotes about addiction. All of the men in the program are recovering from some sort of addiction, be it a substance or something more like sex or anger. Godbold was addicted to crack cocaine and alcohol for many years and went through multiple rehabilitation programs before finding the Lighthouse Mission in Bellingham. He said he is predisposed to addiction. “When you’re raised by an alcoholic, you’re an alcoholic, you just haven’t drank yet,” he said.

Godbold waits in line to help hand out Thanksgiving meals to families with low-incomes on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at The Lighthouse Mission. They handed out about 500 bags with turkeys and all the trimmings. Godbold even had to learn how to ask how many children people had in multiple languages. But even with his help, Godbold gives credit not to himself, but to God. “I can’t do good — not me,” he said. “But the Holy Spirit working in me does good.”

1183: Privatization of Liquor Initiative

A graceful Halloween

Venise Lee, 17, front, and Barbi Telek, 18, practice a floor routine Monday, Oct. 31 in a senior company ballet class at Northwest Ballet Academy in downtown Bellingham. Lee said about 15 dancers usually take the class, but many were not there on Halloween. Photo by Paige Collins

Friendly Fall study break

Western sophomore Jordan Hudak, 19, and junior Chloé Malmquist, 20, take a smoke break on the Old Main lawn Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 25. Maimquest said she was struggling to study English on such a sunny day, while Hudak said he was dreading the midterm and presentation he had to complete in his next class. Photo by Paige Collins

Merch-Bot: Always stupid, never practical

Bellingham resident Sharon Martin, 23, opens a box of octopus mugs Tuesday, Oct. 18 during her shift at Merch-Bot, located at 126 W. Holly St. The store's slogan is, "We sell stupid stuff," which Martin said is the reason why she loves her job. "When people buy things here, they buy because they want to, not because they need them," she said.

Bellinghamsters Speak: How do you think living in a college town affects your life?

Cornell Michael Williams Jr. waits for his bus at the Whatcom Transportation Authority station in downtown Bellingham on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Williams is staying at the Lighthouse Mission, and has lived in Bellingham for only about six months. So far, however, he said he is not sure living in a college town affects his life at all. About 15 to 20 years ago, a college would have made a town more progressive, he said, but now repetition creates monotony. Williams is originally from Washington D.C., and when asked how he felt about leaving the east coast, he said, "You can take the person out of the place, but you can't take the place out of the person."

Bellingham resident Sharon Souders, 76, is bundled up for a day of errands Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the Whatcom Transportation Authority bus stop in downtown Bellingham. Souders lives off of Social Security benefits and food stamps, but said living near the university has provided her with opportunities she wouldn't have elsewhere. Last year, she audited a music class at Western which inspired her to learn how to play the ukulele. "I think [Bellingham] is more lively because of the young people," she said.

Bellingham resident and Western alumnus Jim Reichart, 56, waits for his bus Tuesday, Oct. 11 at the Whatcom Transportation Authority bus station in downtown Bellingham. Reichart has two 7-year-old children who he brings to university events. He said he loves having the resources the university provides so close to his home. "I think there's a lot more diversity and energy with the college," he said.

Bonding in Boulevard Park

Bellingham resident Kathi Phillips and her daughter Adriana, 3, spend time together on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 4, in Boulevard Park. Kathi said she, her daughter and Adriana's doll named Baby were all having a good time just hanging out and enjoying the weather.