"Sadness" - A Poem

The art of poetry has been experienced in new ways at the Lydia Center, where woman have been given an opportunity to learn, write and express through poetry together! There are six poems which these woman wanted to share on our blog, so be sure to read the upcoming poems from this collection.

Many thanks to Jennifer, a volunteer, who lead the poetry class where the following poem was composed:

"Sadness"
By Anita, client, Lydia Center

I’ve begun to feel a sense of loss –
Oh why does my heart ache?
No matter how I am feeling
There is always hope to come.
I cannot hang my head down all the time.
I am a happy person.
Despite the sadness,
Positive perspective is always near.
I will no longer be
The unhappy person I once was.
To be strapped down with sadness
Leads me to healing,
To become happy and content again.
There is always hope after feeling the pain.

(Poem 4 of 6)

"Moments in Time" - A Poem

The art of poetry has been experienced in new ways at the Lydia Center, where woman have been given an opportunity to learn, write and express through poetry together! There are six poems which these woman wanted to share on our blog, so be sure to read the upcoming poems from this collection.

Many thanks to Jennifer, a volunteer, who lead the poetry class where the following poem was composed:

"Moments in Time"
By Elaine, client, Lydia Center

Here they come again.
They fall like streams over the rocky mountainside.
Will there ever come a day
When the tears are as dry as desert sand?
Though desert sand does not cleanse
Like the streams that flow,
I never want the tears to stop.

(Poem 3 of 6)

New Beginnings at Teen Haven Camp

It was our first weekend of Teen Haven Camp in January. The temperature was 14 degrees and with the wind chill it felt like 0 degrees. As the kids huddled in the cafeteria and we started our orientation, one young man stood out: Javier* (age 12). Throughout the orientation it was nearly impossible for me to get even one word out, without him being disruptive. I realized that he was going to bring some challenges to our weekend. The next morning, I was told that Javier had to be moved to another cabin during his first night of camp (on Friday). I chatted with him and made clear his need to cooperate.

At that time I was introduced to Kendel* (age 9). He was also disruptive and had a serious problem with the “N” & “F” words. As we chatted I found that Kendel and Javier were first timers and lived together in the same foster home and that they were 2 of 5 young men, at camp, from the same foster home. It was at this point that the Lord placed a heavy burden on my heart for the foster parents of these 5 young men. I just couldn't get them off my mind all weekend.

Sunday morning, I was informed that Kendel provoked Javier at the pool table Saturday night and Javier proceed to beat Kendel up a bit before the counselors could intervene. Kendel wasn't hurt but I feared potential injury to other campers by Javier because of his temper. Mid-Sunday morning, Kendel was brought to me charged with threatening to hit another camper with a pool ball. After our meeting he confessed and apologized to all parties. I also spoke with Javier and shared that I needed to make a decision as to his future at camp and that I would pray about it and inform him and his parents of my decision. They both admitted to loving the camp and wanting to come back and pleaded to return to camp.

Sunday night, I started to write the letter of discipline to their family, but just couldn't piece it together. The staff agreed that Javier would need to be suspended for two months and Kendel warned and allowed back. I had it all before me but just couldn't put it together. I tried Monday and still could not. As I sat Tuesday trying again, the Lord directed me to call the foster parents and spend time with them heart to heart.

I did so and got Mrs. Smith* and her husband on the phone. She put the speaker phone on and we were able to carry on a three-way conversation. I shared with them about the challenges that emerged throughout the weekend. We chatted for a good amount of time and I was greatly blessed and encouraged by what the Lord was revealing and doing in the lives and ministry of these two precious people. They are Christians and have dedicated their lives to care for hurting and broken young people. They were extremely grateful for the phone call, our care, concern, love and desire to work together for the Lord and the sake of the kids. They agreed with the suspension for Javier because they felt like I did, that this would be the best way for him to learn. He has been with them for one year and at this point, they felt that he knows better. Kendel has been with them one month and has not yet understood the consequences of losing good things because of bad behavior. We agreed.

And then a special blessing, Mr. Smith* said, “Mr. Vin, you don't remember us but we remember you. We used to come on Family Retreat. We loved coming and never forgot those times. Thank you!” And then Mrs. Smith started naming generations of kids and families that attended and attend the camp. They were extremely thankful for our part in the lives of so many. Mrs. Smith ended our conversation by saying, “Mr. Vin, between the Lord, our church, me and my husband and Teen Haven, my children are blessed beyond measure. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! God bless you!!

I can see now why I had such a hard time putting a letter together. In the midst of our heart to heart was the heart of our Jesus. We certainly sensed that from start to finish and even now. };-) Thank you Lord!

Vinny Mikusow • Field Director at Teen Haven Camp
*Name changed throughout entry

The Joy of a Secret at Wonder Club

Several weeks ago my mother came to visit WCELC. She was going to be here right after nap time. As I looked around the room, I saw a little boy just not having a good day. So I pulled him aside and asked him if He could keep a secret. He shook his head, And I said remember a secret means you can’t tell anyone. He again shook his head. So I told him, Mrs. Karen’s Mommy is coming to visit. His whole face lit up and he quickly turned around and yelled “Hey everybody Mrs. Karen’s Mommy is coming to see us after nap!”

This Morning that made me think. Why do I at times keep Jesus’ birth and His coming back a secret. Jesus coming back is so much more exciting then my Mother visiting for a little time. Soon WE will be with Him and see Him face to face. WOW!!!!!

Karen Smith • Assistant Teacher, Wonder Club Early Learning Centers

"Life is a Roller Coaster" - A Poem

The art of poetry has been experienced in new ways at the Lydia Center, where woman have been given an opportunity to learn, write and express through poetry together! There are six poems which these woman wanted to share on our blog, so be sure to read the upcoming poems from this collection.

Many thanks to Jennifer, a volunteer, who lead the poetry class where the following poem was composed:

"Life is a Roller Coaster"
By Anita, client, Lydia Center

Life is like a roller coaster
With its up and down struggle.
The road ahead always throws a curve.
We have to make the right choice
Of which way we want to go.
Whenever I think of life
It reminds me of a roller coaster.
It seems to me that someday soon
We will see daylight and continue
At any cost.

(Poem 2 of 6)

"Compassion" - A Poem

The art of poetry has been experienced in new ways at the Lydia Center, where woman have been given an opportunity to learn, write and express through poetry together! There are six poems which these woman wanted to share on our blog, so be sure to read the upcoming poems from this collection.

Many thanks to Jennifer, a volunteer, who lead the poetry class where the following poem was composed:

"Compassion"
By Dymphna, client, Lydia Center

As I sat in the circle
Of the ones chosen to hear,
The cries and remorse ripped
From her innermost being,
My heart longed to embrace her,
To comfort and encourage.
My own fear kept me bound.
As my tears welled, I felt
The ocean of anguish inside
As I fought to anchor.
All I could do was pray.

(Poem 1 of 6)

Finding Hope and a Fresh Start!

There are times in life when it’s hard to see the opportunities God presents us—especially when it seems that everything around us is going wrong. Yet if we have faith and open our hearts to possibility, we will inevitably find the path we’re meant to follow.

Alondra, a resident of the Women’s Ministry at the Prince Street campus, first came to the Water Street Mission with her daughter a few years ago when the family fell on tough times. Though Alondra needed help, her struggle to stay in control made it difficult.

“I wasn’t humble enough to listen to anybody’s input about my life,” she remembers. Despite her financial problems, Alondra refused suggestions to sell her two cars; to her, it meant admitting she had failed. Perhaps too soon, she left the mission to try to rebuild her life. “I was mad and disappointed, and I let that affect my relationship with God,” she says.

Things went well for a while, but a change in her job situation brought Alondra back to the mission a few months ago. This time, however, Alondra had changed. Instead of fighting her faith, she allowed God back into her heart and realized a path was there for her all along.

While the old Alondra might have viewed her return to the mission as another failure, the new Alondra knows that this time, she’s really just begun her journey to success.

“God has put me in a position where I’m getting discipline,” she explains. “The reality of my life can be very unpleasant if I don’t stay on the path.”

“Water Street gives you those resources [to stay on the path],” Alondra continues. “No matter what has brought you here, you have opportunity here. It’s allowed me to refresh my spirit. That’s priceless. It’s OK to ask for help today.”

By Jacqlyn Mori, volunteer

Pondering Prayer

During Morning Prayer in the Learning Center, each client was asked to pray for their personal prayer requests. When it was Bram’s turn to lift up to God what was heavy on his heart, he began by thanking the Lord for the opportunity to speak with him.

It seems silly right, to have a prelude to our prayers?

Or do we take being able to come to our Lord, knowing that he is always willing to listen, for granted?

I have had the privilege of getting to know Bram over this past year in the Learning Center, and it has been such a blessing. Bram is never shy about his 18 wheeler, and how much he loves the open road. There is not a conversation topic in the world that he could not turn around, by the end, to truck driving. And he will be the first to tell you that having a life where you are always on the go, and where you are forced to spend very long hours alone, can be very taxing on you both physically and spiritually. He has experienced the depths of loneliness and the emptiness of addictions, but because Bram has persevered through these tough times, he can fully appreciate someone who is willing to simply sit and listen. He will never take that for granted.

It is through this simple, grateful prayer where Bram reveals an acceptance of his past, and an understanding that he is here to serve the Lord, and not the other way around. How many of us can say the same things when we pray?

By Jon, Volunteer

Lesson Learned!

One of the teachers was explaining to the children that getting a “yellow card” (part of the classroom discipline system) is a consequence for disobeying. A child responded, “Like Adam and Eve?” “Yes,” the teacher replied, “and what was their consequence?” Another child said, “They had to leave the garden.”
In another classroom the children were learning that everybody makes choices. They can choose to be obedient to God and their teachers and their lives will be good. Or they can make a bad choice and then there will be a consequence. One day one of the children was acting up and his brother came to the teacher and said, “Mike is not making a good choice.”

It is nice to know that our Bible stories and lessons are sinking in and exciting to hear the words of truth from God’s word come back through the mouths of these precious children!

Lorraine Brandt • Wonder Club Administrator

Lydia Center students experience healing

Recently, at the Lydia Center, I completed teaching a class called Steps to Sexual Health where a small group of our women work through sexual brokenness. I was again in awe at how Jesus cut the chains off these 3 women. They were able to share what their “wound” looked like 10 weeks ago & what it looks like now. They all showed real signs of healing: One young woman shared how she saw God reaching down to her but she did not trust Him (1st week) & today she drew herself sitting in His lap (& called Him Father – which is huge). I really felt like I saw them (with spiritual eyes) go from hunched over with the weight of their sexual past to sitting up with their heads held high over these last 10 weeks.

Carrie Libonati • Learning Center Instructor, Lydia Center