My Testimonial
My name is Donald Wayne Thompson, and I am honored to be the Executive Director of His Joshua House. I am myself a recovering addict. By God's grace, in September 2024, I have been clean and sober for six (6) years. I understand firsthand, the journey of the men who come to His Joshua House.
Before
After
My Story
I had a wonderful childhood and was an outstanding student in school. I'm the second generation in my family, born and raised in Marbles Falls, Texas. Situated in the Texas Hill Country, Marble Falls is considered a safe community and a great place to raise children. Many people move to Marble Falls to avoid the big city and big city problems. I got good grades and was active in football and baseball. By all accounts, I had a bright future ahead of me. Like many young people in high school, I decided to start drinking with my buddies. It seemed "normal." Then, along came the opportunity to try drugs for the first time. Doing drugs with friends also seemed "normal." It was fun. A way to unwind and party with my friends. That fun didn't last long, and I had a choice to make. I chose drugs. Once drugs came into the picture for me, it was quickly that I was kicked out of athletics. Not long later, I was kicked out of school, too. This launched me into an over 20-year spiral to multiple jails and prisons, several stints in rehab, and trips to mental health institutions. Nothing affected me until I found His Johsua House and was accepted into the program on September 16, 2018. It was the first time in over 20 years that I felt truly “at home." It wasn't always easy, but with the support of God and the team at His Joshua House, my life began at 35 years old. After successfully completing the program, I stayed active and involved. I became a volunteer and dedicated to service in any way possible. I felt like I owed my life to His Joshua House and this amazing program that turned my life around when no other intuition could. I became the first former resident to serve on the Board of Directors. I was elected Vice President and then President of the Board of Directors. My dedication to His Joshua House and sobriety is unwavering. I was honored when I was asked to step down from the Board of Directors and become the Executive Director of His Joshua House. My heart and knowledge are invested in being the best Leader I can be. God leads my path as I dedicate myself to being the example that the men of our program need. Given my history, I offer a solid foundation to teach, mentor, and guide our residents to God and to be the men God created them to be.
This article in the Highlander News, by Contributing Writer, Martelle Luedecke, published on Tuesday May 28, 2024, was a proud day in my life:
Recovery house leader offers empathy to men with a purpose
Donald Wayne Thompson appointed interim executive director of faith-based program based in Kingsland.
In a world where addiction can often seem insurmountable, there exists a beacon of hope nestled within the Kingsland community—a men’s 12-step spiritual-based recovery house, His Joshua House.
This sanctuary, wholly sustained by the generosity of donations, the unwavering support of the community, and the dedicated efforts of volunteers, offers a transformative path to recovery.
Here, men battling addiction find not only a safe haven but also a structured, spiritually enriched program that guides them towards healing and renewed purpose.
His Joshua House stands as a testament to the power of collective compassion, proving that with faith and communal effort, recovery is not just possible, but profoundly achievable. The board of directors has appointed a new interim executive director, Donald Wayne Thompson. “Donald brings authenticity and legitimacy to the whole process because of his story. And because of his growth over the last six years,” said David Henneke, pastor of First Baptist Church in Kingsland and His Joshua House board member. “Being able to see Donald and his story is a game changer. It makes all the difference for these men to see that.” September 2018, Thompson entered His Joshua House as a resident having struggled with addiction for decades. His addiction path had taken him through numerous rehabs, jails, mental institutions, and programs. He had knowledge but no answers. “I needed the 12 steps to condition myself to be willing to accept, that’s a lot of what our program teaches us, the willingness,” Thompson explained. “Today, my horrible past has become an asset to me. Our ability to work with others and help others, and how key that is to my sobriety. “My past gives me an asset that a normal person doesn’t have. I can really get down on the level with the guy. Guys would say I can’t ever be okay. I’ve done this. And I can tell them you know what I did? They’d ask how are you okay with it?” Thompson added. “I have the opportunity to show them how to become okay with it, by sharing my experiences with others.”
Thompson was the first former resident to be invited to join the board of directors for His Joshua House and later became president of the board of directors. Henneke added, “Then, the board turned around and said we have another calling for you. Would you consider stepping into the position of executive director?” Thompson is excited and grateful to serve His Joshua House in any way. The facility, based in Kingsland, not only provides a safe place for recovery, but also a road to life.
“Here on top of the treatment we go through the process of helping the men get their documents, identification, social security card, savings account,” he said. “Taking them to the DMV, giving them a vehicle to take their driving test in, So when they leave here, they have all this knowledge of what to do and what not to do but they also have a means to live. They’re set up for success in life other than just not drinking or using.” The program teaches life skills and the value of giving back to the community through volunteering. Although residents work, they do not pay rent, they save their earned paychecks for when they are ready to start a new life. Funds needed to run the facility are raised through fundraisers and donations.
While Thompson spoke about the impact the house has had on his life, his eyes glistened with unshed tears, his voice cracking under the weight of his joy. Each word seemed to carry the profound significance of the moment, making it clear how deeply he was moved. "I understand firsthand what men need here. I’m grateful to be in this position,” Thompson said. “This is where I can really serve God with these men. “This house, I can’t say it enough. My life is because of this house,” he added. “I’m just grateful for it. I get how important this House and treatment are.”
