梅琪吸毒十年，屢次進出監獄，若她的生命沒有轉變，她很快就會重蹈覆轍。後來她遇到了漢斯，他曾經是個癮君子，由於濫用藥物而導致靜脈破裂，險些失去一隻手。漢斯回憶說﹕「那時是我第一次向上帝呼求。」上帝應允了漢斯的禱告，也讓他後來成為一個組織的成員，以同伴互助的方式幫助在獄中的癮君子戒除毒癮，恢復正常生活。

這個名為「石頭湯」的計劃，與美國一所監獄一起為前囚犯提供支援，讓他們重新融入社會。藉著這個計劃，梅琪住進戒毒中心，並不再沾染毒品。漢斯現在透過多方協調，為梅琪和其他人安排工作，提供教育選項、治療和家庭資源。

聖經描述明智地與人合作會得到力量。傳道書提到：「兩個人總比一個人好，因為二人勞碌同得美好的果效。若是跌倒，這人可以扶起他的同伴；若是孤身跌倒，沒有別人扶起他來，這人就有禍了！」（4章9-10節）

在《石頭湯》這個民間故事裡，一個飢腸轆轆的外地人邀請村民每人分享一種食材，好讓所有人都能品嘗到美味的濃湯。聖經也表明，當我們在一起就會更強、更好（12節）。上帝的計劃是讓我們生活在人群當中，幫助別人並獲得別人的幫助。這不是童話故事；這是生命之道。

Meggie’s ten years of drug use kept her in and out of jail. Without a life change, she’d soon return. Then she met Hans, a former addict who almost lost his hand when a vein ruptured due to his substance abuse. “That was the first time I cried out to God,” Hans said. God’s answer prepared him to be a peer specialist for an organization that coordinates recovery for jailed addicts.

Called Stone Soup, the program is helping an American jail provide formerly imprisoned people with support to reenter their communities. Through the plan, Meggie moved into a sober-living house and has stayed sober. Hans now helps her and others with job placement, educational options, treatment, and family resources—a coordinated approach.

The Bible describes the strength of wise partnering: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). However, “pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (v. 10).

Like the “Stone Soup” folktale, where a hungry traveler invites townspeople to each share one ingredient to make a delicious soup for all, the Bible confirms we’re stronger and better together (v. 12). God’s plan is for us to live in community, helping others and receiving help in return. That’s no fairy tale; it’s truth for life.