Here's our first attempt to include a video clip on our blog... hope you like it (you may have to click the "play" arrow twice to get it to run). This comes from a friend of the Mission who created a unique opportunity to teach his daughters about sharing with others:
The last time I worked for my Uncle I picked up lunch for his workers, but forgot to give him the change back—it was a $75 mishap. The next day, realizing my mistake, I called him up. He joked with me a little bit at first, but then told me to keep the money and spend it on my children. My uncle and aunt, although very generous and kind do not know the Lord. We pray for them continually and seek out opportunities to “show” them how a follower of Christ lives.
My 3 daughters, ages 6, 4, and 1 have plenty of toys and clothes. We have a tight budget but we make it work every month.They were in need of nothing, so we decided to give them an opportunity to give the money away.
After some family discussion, I took the $75, added $25 of our own, grabbed my two eldest daughters and jumped in our van. On the way to Amelia’s Grocery Outlet, I called Maurice and asked him what he needed. He told me the kitchen needed juice, so the 3 of us filled up 2 carts with 100 containers of juice. We nearly cleaned out Amelia’s juice aisle. The best part was we videoed the entire experience from start to finish. It was an incredible opportunity to model for my children the value of giving to those in need. We talked about why the Rescue Mission exists and how they love people It was a $100 lesson that was worth 10 times that amount. The next day I edited the video, which we entitled “the $75 Adventure,” burned it to a DVD and sent it to their house. My Aunt and Uncle loved the video and were thrilled to see their money at work.
- Jason, friend of the Mission
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Allowing Christ to use you as He sees fit
This past fall, the pastors at my church gave a series of sermons related to Stepping Out in Faith: being willing to allow God to use us in ways that we have not permitted Him to use us before. The following account is a great example of stepping out in faith!
One day recently I sat down for lunch with "Robert". He mentioned that the past sixteen months have been the longest he has remained in one location for a long, long time. I asked him where he had lived before he came to Water Street and how he came to be living here. He told me that he had been picking watermelons in North Carolina and decided that he would move on to Florida to visit some of his relatives there. As he walked along the highway heading south, a trucker pulled off the road and called out to him, “Are you broken down?” "Robert" was confused about what the trucker was asking him, until the trucker pointed to a rig parked along the road. The trucker thought that "Robert" was the driver of that rig, and that he was walking to get help. "Robert" explained that he just happened to be walking in that area, on his way to Florida. The trucker invited "Robert" to ride with him, as he was delivering his load to Jacksonville.
As the two men headed south, the trucker evidently realized that "Robert" needed an important change in his life, one that only the Lord could provide. He offered to take "Robert" to a place where he could get his life straightened out, and told "Robert" that he didn’t need to make an immediate decision, but to think about it as they traveled together for several hours. The trucker was from Lancaster County and explained that he himself had gone to the Water Street Rescue Mission about five years earlier and had become a new person in Christ.
As "Robert" thought about this offer, he imagined that this trucker was an angel of the Lord, holding open the door of Heaven for him. How could he refuse such an opportunity? He decided that, “Yes! I will accept this offer.” After visiting his relatives in Florida, "Robert" was picked up by the trucker, and together they headed to Lancaster. The rest is history. "Robert" is now walking with the Lord in newness of life. He is engaged in the Christian Life Development program and recently started a new job.
One day recently I sat down for lunch with "Robert". He mentioned that the past sixteen months have been the longest he has remained in one location for a long, long time. I asked him where he had lived before he came to Water Street and how he came to be living here. He told me that he had been picking watermelons in North Carolina and decided that he would move on to Florida to visit some of his relatives there. As he walked along the highway heading south, a trucker pulled off the road and called out to him, “Are you broken down?” "Robert" was confused about what the trucker was asking him, until the trucker pointed to a rig parked along the road. The trucker thought that "Robert" was the driver of that rig, and that he was walking to get help. "Robert" explained that he just happened to be walking in that area, on his way to Florida. The trucker invited "Robert" to ride with him, as he was delivering his load to Jacksonville.
As the two men headed south, the trucker evidently realized that "Robert" needed an important change in his life, one that only the Lord could provide. He offered to take "Robert" to a place where he could get his life straightened out, and told "Robert" that he didn’t need to make an immediate decision, but to think about it as they traveled together for several hours. The trucker was from Lancaster County and explained that he himself had gone to the Water Street Rescue Mission about five years earlier and had become a new person in Christ.
As "Robert" thought about this offer, he imagined that this trucker was an angel of the Lord, holding open the door of Heaven for him. How could he refuse such an opportunity? He decided that, “Yes! I will accept this offer.” After visiting his relatives in Florida, "Robert" was picked up by the trucker, and together they headed to Lancaster. The rest is history. "Robert" is now walking with the Lord in newness of life. He is engaged in the Christian Life Development program and recently started a new job.
The Lancaster trucker, although out on the road all week long, occasionally checks in with "Robert" to see how things are going. He has invited "Robert" to visit in his home and has taken him along to his church. "Robert"’s life is definitely headed in a different direction than it was the day that he met the trucker along that North Carolina highway! And that’s because of the Christ that he met at the foot of the cross!
Praise the Lord for the trucker’s willingness to step out in faith and allow the Lord to use him in an unexpected way!
-Ron Pawling, Business Office
Thursday, January 24, 2008
We're back!
Here's hoping 2008 will be a little more consistent here on our little blog...
Look below for a brand new glimpse at life on Grace Plateau.
Look below for a brand new glimpse at life on Grace Plateau.
Wise me up, too...
I love how God knows what I need and doesn’t think inside my box.
Several months ago, “Maria” became my client here at the Lydia Center. Because of her simplicity, short attention span, and difficulty comprehending, I was not sure how I could help her. I whined and got upset at people who had sent her my way. Several months ago, I made a referral for her for housing and to my shame, was getting excited that I wouldn’t have to deal with her anymore.
Well, God is using “Maria” to teach me how to love well. I have seen her blossom so much from when she first entered here b/c she knows that she is loved and belongs. She recently stole the show at our Lydia Center talent show. She has such a kind heart and simple faith. Her mannerisms and the things she says are so endearing. I have come to enjoy my time with “Maria” so much, and now I will probably cry when her housing comes through and she spreads her wings to fly.
I am still not always sure how I can help "Maria", but I’m beginning to think that God may have sent her this way to teach me a few things:
1) to love others as He loves
2) to enjoy life and not take it so seriously
3) to laugh at myself
4) not to judge others on appearance or ability
5) to teach me patience and to enjoy the moment
6) and just to bless me.
The other day in counseling, “Maria” prayed this sweet prayer, “Keep an eye on all of us up here on this mountain…Give Lorene wisdom, and wise me up, too, to be kinda like You. Amen.”
Lord, I’m sorry for my selfish, judgmental ways. May I be more like You and love as You love. I thank you for teaching me through this precious woman. Bless her, as she continues to know You more and goes her way in life. May her life be as sweet to You as it is to me.
-Lorene, counselor at Lydia Center
Several months ago, “Maria” became my client here at the Lydia Center. Because of her simplicity, short attention span, and difficulty comprehending, I was not sure how I could help her. I whined and got upset at people who had sent her my way. Several months ago, I made a referral for her for housing and to my shame, was getting excited that I wouldn’t have to deal with her anymore.
Well, God is using “Maria” to teach me how to love well. I have seen her blossom so much from when she first entered here b/c she knows that she is loved and belongs. She recently stole the show at our Lydia Center talent show. She has such a kind heart and simple faith. Her mannerisms and the things she says are so endearing. I have come to enjoy my time with “Maria” so much, and now I will probably cry when her housing comes through and she spreads her wings to fly.
I am still not always sure how I can help "Maria", but I’m beginning to think that God may have sent her this way to teach me a few things:
1) to love others as He loves
2) to enjoy life and not take it so seriously
3) to laugh at myself
4) not to judge others on appearance or ability
5) to teach me patience and to enjoy the moment
6) and just to bless me.
The other day in counseling, “Maria” prayed this sweet prayer, “Keep an eye on all of us up here on this mountain…Give Lorene wisdom, and wise me up, too, to be kinda like You. Amen.”
Lord, I’m sorry for my selfish, judgmental ways. May I be more like You and love as You love. I thank you for teaching me through this precious woman. Bless her, as she continues to know You more and goes her way in life. May her life be as sweet to You as it is to me.
-Lorene, counselor at Lydia Center
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