My name is Trey Ripma and I am 22 years old. I am from Florida and I came to Beartooth Mt. Ascent because I was involved in drugs, violence, women and guns. Being from Florida, cocaine was everywhere. I started doing it for fun and then it became a habit. I stopped working because it was hard for me to work when I was high, and also because I made enough money dealing drugs to support my addiction. I was ashamed of the things I was doing, but couldn’t stop. It caused me to stop talking to my family and I was never around to help out. I also went to jail a number of times and to rehab twice.
My addiction frustrated me because I was always a smart and hard working guy, but I still couldn’t stop using. I came to Beartooth Mt. Ascent right after I finished a 3 month wilderness program, and now I never want to leave. I have learned so much here. I have regained my self dignity and can finally call myself a good man. I got back my work ethic and have learned how to have fun again without drugs. The Schneider’s and some of the staff, I consider my family. They are so cool here, I can talk to them about anything. I also have a great relationship with my family. I have realized how my drug use affected them, and I am greatly sorry for how I treated them. And, I can say that it will never happen again.
I have also learned how to rope, ride and work cows in almost any situation. I have saved baby calves’ lives and that really feels awesome. I have let go of my pride, my addiction, dishonesty, carelessness, disobedience, selfishness, anger, resentments, laziness and my old life. All that has taken a year and I still have lots of work to do.
The best I saved for last, and that is my relationship with God and my belief in His word. I could not have come this far without God and that is why I am so thankful for Beartooth Mt. Ascent. You can’t help but hear about God and the Bible. It’s awesome because if I didn’t have that I would probably still have a bad attitude and a craving to keep using. Just being involved in God’s word has changed my thinking from the glass is half empty to the glass is half full. I used to freak out in bad situations or rough times, but now I thank God and trust Him to get me through them and make me spiritually stronger. If you want your son to become a man, this is the place for him. If it could help me, it could help anyone.
Whoever this may help, may God bless.
Trey Ripma
