What Is Accompaniment?
The Recovery Program here at Enders Island unfolds across three phases of, what we call, accompaniment. By it's very definition, accompaniment is an experience of walking with someone else, rather then what is experienced in a clinical model, or in a "sober house."
Arrival
This first phase of the experience of accompanying an individual in their journey with recovery is made evident in the story of the Return of the Prodigal Son. The young man takes his inheritance and goes out to a foreign country and spends it all. He finds himself, as the Gospel makes clear, without a home, starving, and alone. In an act of desperation, he recognizes that even his father’s paid employees have a more self-directed and fulfilled life then he does, so he decides to return home and seek employment in his father’s house. In the words of the Evangelist Luke:
“So, he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ Then the celebration began” (Luke 15:20-24).
The father immediately provides these four domains for his returning son. He tends to immediate health needs, feeding the starving boy with a feast fit for a king. He gives him a home, welcoming him back with a joyful embrace. He goes out to meet the approaching boy and brings him back physically into the home. He gives the boy a purpose, saying by his actions, “you are not merely an employee, you are my son.” Finally, he provides community, by making this celebration far more than a family affair, calling together their friends and neighbors.
The father immediately moves into crisis management, and addresses presenting needs at once. The rest of the Prodigal Son’s story is unwritten, much like when you first arrive at Enders Island. Upon your arrival you have been welcomed with the same enthusiasm and hope as the returning Prodigal Son. Likewise, the rest of your story is unwritten!
Empowerment
Throughout the Gospels Jesus demonstrates time again the concept of “doing with” in his work with others. His patience with others is an absolute necessity. He does not hand all the answers to those to whom he ministers, but rather remains with them as they work out solutions with his guidance. He empowers them.
When Nicodemus comes to him in the night, they enter into a lengthy conversation where Nicodemus freely shares his thoughts, concerns, and questions, while Jesus simply presents him with the truth of the Father’s love. He reminds Nicodemus of the necessity of willingness in allowing the Father’s love to penetrate the darkness of the world in which they live. He is a face and voice of hope, determination, and faith to the frightened Pharisee (John 3:1-21). Likewise with the Samaritan Woman, he does not arrive at the well and lay everything out for her all at once. He allows her to talk, to reason, and through the exchange Jesus simply presents her with the truth as it is appropriate, and she comes to believe in him (John 4:1-42). Even after his resurrection, Jesus walks with the Disciples on the Road to Emmaus, and simply by being present to them, as they work out their frustrations and feelings, they too come to believe by their experience of their patient travel companion (Luke 24: 13-35).
During this portion of your time with us, likewise we seek to empower you on your journey through patience, and presenting the consistent voice of hope, the truth, determination, and willingness. You will likely have many fears and anxieties for which we do not have direct answers; but rather we abide with you as you now gradually build your own fulfilling experience of health, home, purpose, and community, using what has been given to you upon your arrival as a foundation.
Support
At some point Jesus himself knew the importance of watching the Disciples move out on their own into the world. Armed with an understanding of how God brings fulfillment to their deepest needs, he charges them upon his departure to go out to all the world spreading the Good News and Baptizing new believers in his name. This important work however was not to be commenced until the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, when by the Spirit’s gifts, the “spiritual finishing touches” would be infused into their hearts ensuring that they were ready for the task that lay ahead (Acts 1: 1-12). They had to accept that there were some things that would remain a bit of a mystery, and they had to trust in God’s providential love. The Father had done so much for them already, how could they but not trust that he would continue to abide with them, strengthen them, and nourish them?
This portion of the Enders Island Program is more than merely a transition plan. Once you are finding nourishment in a fulfilling experience of health, home, purpose, and community on your own, you are ready to make the final step of crossing the causeway to the other side, and you will be armed with all the tools you need to live a happy, healthy, and holy life in long term sustained recovery.
