Testimonies, Reports and Cases in Christian Legal Aid Clinics

Testimonies of real-life stories are almost always more convincing and motivating in causing people to respond to the needs and opportunities than bare statistics and clinic descriptions, although both are needed. Try to obtain such real-life experiences from Christian lawyers, law students and paralegals that have been involved in serving the poor previously. If none are available, someof the true events reflected below may be useful.

Read these accounts as they appear in the attachment. Ask the rhetorical question: How fulfilled and excited would you be if you were the person whom God had used to provide this kind of help and result in the life of Jim, Tom, or Maria? We find that lawyers, law students and paralegals in other Christian legal aid clinics report that their volunteer services have proved to be some of the most fulfilling and rewarding experiences of their professional careers, and that sponsors need and are most supportive of Christian legal aid services.

Real life experiences

Albuquerque, New Mexico
A somewhat remarkable scene occurred at an interview office in Albuquerque, New Mexico recently. Jim, a 42-year-old homeless carpenter addicted to crack cocaine, was bowing his head and sincerely praying with a 73-year-old semi-retired volunteer Christian lawyer to recommit his life to Christ. This followed a 28-year life of addiction to alcohol and drugs, a broken marriage, a long history of DUIs and minor criminal offenses, and unsuccessful attempts at cures in secular drug rehabilitation programs. Jim appeared at the office of a drug rehabilitation program for legal help – that is, advice on what to do in response to an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest for violation of a court-ordered alcohol and drug rehabilitation-counseling program. Addicted to drugs starting at 14, this father of three teen-age children with an ex-wife in Houston, Texas, presented a history of job losses and bouts of homelessness caused by alcohol and drug problems, a bad temper and disagreements with job bosses. Committing his life to Christ at the age of 15, he later left the church after an angry disagreement with his priest. Now rarely attending a church and seldom reading his Bible or praying, Jim seemed an unlikely candidate for being rehabilitated. But Jim left the interview with advice concerning his legal problem, a fresh encounter with God and a resolve and plan to return to God, to begin to rebuild his life and to try to rejoin his family.

Honolulu, Hawaii
Tom Rulon worked with one young drug addict who, Rulon says, “came to us in pretty bad shape.” Working as a waiter on a cruise liner, the young man had burned out working double shifts. During a port call, he got drunk and missed the boat. he was fired and had been living on the streets for about two weeks before he sought Rulon’s help to get his job back.

Rulon saw that the young man’s needs went far beyond this particular vocational crisis. For starters, he was depressed and didn’t know where his life was going. As Rulon worked to get the waiter rehired (accomplished by taking his case to a union representative), he also talked to the man about how God had an overall plan for his life.  The young man seemed receptive and accepted one of Rulon’s pocket New Testaments.

Rulon never expected to see the fellow again, but a few months later Rulon took his family on a seven-day inner-island cruise.  And guess who served as his waiter?  That’s right–the young man whom Rulon had helped.  The rehired waiter was so excited to see Rulon that he immediately pulled out his dog-eared New Testament and showed how he had highlighted many passages.  “I’m following Jesus,” the young man said, “and things are turning out okay.  I’m going back to school.”

Chicago, Illinois
Ronald at the age of 17 was the victim of circumstances and of his "friends." One night, he was driving his car and one of the tires went flat.  He pulled into a gas station and pumped up the tire.  While he was doing this, his friends got out of the car and held up the station attendants.  When Ronald realized what was happening, he drove the car away. But, as he was driving out of the station, his friends jumped into the car as it was moving. They were arrested three blocks away. (With our help) Ronald was given probation and is doing well.  He is an industrious worker and has his own business to support himself through college, which he also attends.

Maria has been constantly struggling throughout her 20 years of life. She grew up without a father, and her mother physically and emotionally abused her. Last year she became pregnant and was simultaneously rejected by both her mother and the child's father. It seemed like the only option was to turn to Mr. & Mrs. Perez, a couple who promised to adopt Maria and her baby. Trusting the Perezes, Maria followed their instructions and listed Mrs. Blanca Peres as the natural mother on the birth certificate. This trust, however, was betrayed. Over the next two months the Perezes asked Maria to move out of the house, requiring her to leave behind her newborn baby, Angela.

Maria turned to public agencies for help in regaining custody of Angela, but by this time she was in a legal mess. As a result, Angela became a ward of the state. Through a painstaking search, including many denials and referrals, Maria came to Austin Christian Law Center (ACLC). While hers was a complicated and difficult case, we were able to prove the natural relationship between Maria and Angela.

Maria graduated from high school and established a home. Maria now has a home and a high school diploma. But best of all, she has her daughter, Angela.

Volunteers and Sponsor Testimonials

A 20-plus years experienced male lawyer writes:  
. . . I want to express my gratitude for giving me the opportunity to participate in its volunteer clinic. I am, by most of the measures of my profession, a successful lawyer. Yet in recent years I have experienced a malaise in my law practice. I felt like I had become a Pharisee whose adherence to secular law was separating me from the true calling of my Christian faith. . . . I now look forward to my next interview session with an anticipation that exceeds anything I experience in my private practice . . . Willie and I shared the Four Spiritual Laws, we prayed together, and he accepted Christ into his life. He left with a New Testament, new hope, and the phone number for the local coordinator of Habitat for Humanity where he wanted to use his skills to help others less fortunate.

A young woman lawyer says:
. . . I am a committed Christian, and have been a practicing attorney for almost three years. A few months ago I was seeking a way to use my skills as an attorney in a way that would directly benefit the poor and homeless of Albuquerque, who might be in need of legal assistance, but unable to pay for a lawyer.  . . . I attended the training course at Noon Day Ministry, was able to meet and speak with other attorneys   some new, others experienced.  . . . I have provided legal counseling at Joy Junction and at Noon Day Ministry. In each session, I was able to speak openly with those who sought my help about how I saw their problems both legally and spiritually. Two of the clients sought advice about debt problems with student loans and the IRS, and we were able to talk about personal responsibility and the debt we owe to our Lord.  . . . I am enthusiastic about this clinic and eagerly await my next service opportunity, which I hope will be at Noon Day.

A woman law student writes:
. . . I am a law student. I became involved in the Christian Legal Aid Clinic through the Christian Legal Society on campus. I attended the training course five months ago and I have been working as a volunteer in the new CLS Christian Legal Aid Clinic.  . . . I have found the clinic to be a beneficial experience for the homeless clients we are serving.  . . . Each time I attend a session at one of the facilities I learn more about God, his children and myself. My life has been enriched by my experiences in this clinic. I know that we are doing God’s work in this clinic.

The main sponsor of a clinic reports:
I have the privilege of being involved with Christian Legal Aid since its inception. My name is Dennis Lihte and I am the Director of Noon Day Ministry, which currently accommodates the clinic in our homeless facility.  Since 1983 I have been working with the poor and homeless of our city. During these many years it has become obvious how complex the solutions are in finding ways to move an individual back into a stable living environment.

There is a myriad of legal issues that contribute to an individual’s inability to get back on his or her feet. Many times the poor experience a legal system that is so bureaucratic, costly and frightening that individuals without adequate resources often surrender their hope of making improvements in their living conditions.

Since the clinic began in December of 1998, each week we see a committed legal staff willing to provide free counsel and love to the poor that frequent our shelter. The issues addressed between the legal staff and our homeless clients include DWI arrests, child support problems, tenant issues, felony warrants, needed benefits, etc.  . . .These unresolved issues and many others contribute to the homeless condition and in many instances cause depression and hopelessness.

What I have observed is that in many cases there is a feeling among those who the clinic has assisted, a real sense of improvement in their homeless condition. The legal staff is addressing the practical issues that in many instances have become the major cause that keeps a person homeless. 

Allow me to close by mentioning the spiritual component of Christian Legal Aid. Each client’s spiritual condition is gently probed by the legal staff. A large number of individuals seeking only the tangible have been introduced to Jesus. Too often the legal trauma originates from a disregard for Biblical principles. Many of their legal problems have been self-inflicted. As the legal staff lovingly suggests remedies for a person’s legal difficulties, an equal emphasis is offered for spiritual reflection. Christian Legal Services is making an impact on the poor of (our city).