Simple words, great power

Many of the men and women who live at the mission are used to being treated as second-class citizens in our society. Many of them have poor self-esteem and have come to expect to be eyed with suspicion.

One man who lived at Water Street received a daily paycheck from his employer. He was expected to pay a program fee on all of his income, but after several weeks he got tired of making daily payments in my office. He began to wait until he had 3 or 4 paychecks, then came in to pay fees on all of them at one time.

After a rather long stretch of days without payment, he came to my office and said, “Thank you for your forbearance, Mr. Ron. I’ve been late a number of times.”

I offhandedly replied, “I know I can count on it coming in.”

He soon moved out of the mission into an apartment. A few weeks later I received a thank you card in which he had written about my verbal response. He wrote, “Mr. Ron, I want you to know that that was one of the finest compliments I’ve ever been given!”

I’m reminded of how easy it is to use words for building up rather than tearing down.

-Ron Pawling, Bookkeeper/Client Services

That's God Talking

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?
That’s God talking to you through the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to?
That’s God wanting you to talk to Him.

Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven’t seen in a long time and then the next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them?
THAT’S GOD. There is no such thing as coincidence.

Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn’t even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you needed, but couldn’t afford?
THAT’S GOD knowing the desires of your heart.

Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it was going to get better, how the hurting would stop, how the pain would ease, but now you look back at it?
THAT’S GOD passing us through tribulation to see a brighter day.
- Lane, resident at WSRM

Typical night?

You may have the perception that as a counselor here at the mission we spend a lot of time sitting behind a desk counseling women. While this is true, there is also the opportunity to be stretched beyond the normal counselor duties when the unexpected arises.

It wasn’t the typical Thursday night in the women’s shelter (yet no two nights are ever the same around here). The night started out in the child care room helping to babysit 14 little ones while their mothers attended the chapel service. Three babysitters to soothe the crying ones, change messy diapers and mediate the scuffles between these little ones. The time passed quickly only to move onto the next task of getting 75 women and children settled in for the night.

With the help of an intern from LBC, breathalyzers were completed, medications handed out and nightly chores had begun.

Things were moving along nicely when we were disrupted by the sound of a fire alarm. Quickly, all 75 women and children escaped safely from the building while the fire department arrived to assess the situation. Fortunately, it was not a fire, but a faulty heat detector.

In the process of evacuating the building several of the women with severe asthma encountered breathing difficulties, so the paramedics were called to aid us as well. One woman was taken to the hospital for further treatment. After everyone calmed down and made their way back upstairs we resumed the normal activities of getting chores done while the mothers helped the children settle in for the night.

In the process of closing up for the night and calling it a day a different sound of alarm came, this time from one of the residents who was assisting another resident who was having a seizure. For those of you who have witnessed this you know how frightening it can be to watch someone have a seizure. Several of the women came to her aid, helped her to a safe, comfortable position and sat with her through the whole ordeal. By 11:00 pm all was peaceful and calm.

I left that night knowing I was not alone and that Jesus walked beside me through every twist and turn of the evening.

-Kim Harris, Women’s Counselor

Thoughts on a pacifier

I’ve a great need to be liked and when not, at least understood! So I often find myself with an urge to appease people as I move through my day here at the Mission.

It reminds me of when our daughters were young and we allowed them to use a pacifier. Quite often the pacifier ‘did the trick’ in quieting them which was a great thing for a harried parent. But I’m sort of glad that today neither Hannah, age 14, nor Gabrielle, age 11, uses a pacifier! These beautiful young women have learned to work through stress and discomfort in ways that have encouraged their growth.

Yet how easy is it for me to say what another wants to hear or to silently ‘go along’ with something that I disagree with when I am relating to residents and staff on this campus!

I am challenged to ask this: am I really acting in their best interest when I am primarily concerned not with their growth but with whether I am liked or not? Too often the answer is – “Steve you are most concerned with looking good!”

“So help me Lord to be most interested in pleasing You and in so doing – love those around me in an open and authentic and ‘non-pacifying’ way.”

-Steve Brubaker, Director of Residential Ministries

Loving because of Christ

What is the center of Christianity? Some say Christianity is religion. Others say Christianity is relationship. To me, Christianity is Christ. He is the center, source and goal.

Colossians 3:4 calls Christ our life. Philippians 1:21 has living as Christ. Colossians 1:16 has Christ as Creator and goal of His creation. Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2, that his resolve was to know nothing other than Christ and Him crucified.

When trying to reach the people of Lancaster City, the secondary goals must not be primary. The main goal must always be related to Jesus Christ. He is the solution for man.

For me as a Chaplain, this needs to be in mind. I witness and give to other’s needs not because of the need but because of our Commander and Chief’s command and example. He loved with sacrifice. My service must be one of love. As a result, actions and attitudes of clients should not determine my service to them. They do not merit love. My sacrifice for them must come out of love for Christ; apart from the good or bad they might do.

-Michael Haines, chaplain

Open my eyes

Here at Water Street, we work among guys with lots of problems and issues. Yet, among them I often see such tenderness and servanthood (evidence of being God’s workmanship even though the work isn’t any where near complete).

Earlier this week we were headed up to the gym and our blind resident Mike wanted to go along (I quite honestly thought it was pointless) and so one of the guys let him “latch” on to him and slowly walked the 2 blocks to the gym.

As soon as we got there another guy started assisting Mike shooting free throws. While this other resident could have been practicing for the game they were going to play here he was serving a blind brother by standing under the basket, tapping the middle of the backboard so Mike could hear where the basket was.

Mike hit the rim more times than not. I left the gym amazed at the lesson in serving that God taught me through a mission man that took time out to help a blind brother shoot baskets.

God, I think I need my blind eyes opened!

-Chuck, Chaplain

A story of change

Hi! I am writing about my life at the Mission. This is my second time here. I came here once in 2003 and left after 3 months because I didn’t really like the rules. Now this time I have changed. I feel I am growing in faith and finding myself. I never felt this stable and balanced like I feel in here. I have 3 children with me and they are now on a routine.

From going to Daily Devotions and nightly Chapel, I started to really focus on the BIBLE and GODS WORD. I used to have a little faith and even though I believed in GOD I didn’t know Him personally. I used to feel that I had nobody to really turn to and understand me. But when I received CHRIST as my personal Savior, I realized HE is the only one who will never leave me.

I came here after I realized that I needed help. I didn’t come because I had to, but because I wanted to change my life around. I didn’t have a drug or alcohol problem, but a problem of not being stable. I used to live with family and friends, and I couldn’t save money up because I always spent it. I realized that I or my children didn’t have to live like that anymore. I used to go out and party every weekend and wasn’t a good mother to my children. Now that I am here with a nightly curfew, nightly alcohol testing, and random drug testing I am more on myself. Because if I would fail any of those test, I and my children would have to leave and because of my mistakes and selfishness they would be out on the streets.

I have been here for almost 9 months, and in these 9 months I have become a different but better person. I meet with my counselor, Miss Cheryl every week and we talk about what is going on in my life and my personal relationship with God. I have gained my certificate for Child Care Provider Workshop and I am currently working to finish my GED. I have only Math to pass and then I am done!

Coming here I have learned a lot of about patience, principals, morals and values. Not every day is a good day and you just want to quit, but I realize now that if I just keep reading God’s Word and really believing it, I can get through anything as long as I just trust Him. I am really grateful for the Mission and all that it is providing for me and my children because without it I wouldn’t had made it this far. Thanks.

-Erika, a WSRM resident

A stranger's impact

When you pass by people on the street do you find yourself wondering what their unique story is? I often wonder who they are, where they came from, how they got here, and are they the person they want to be?

As a child passing by strangers and in the company of strangers, we were taught by grown-ups to not talk to them. Some, if not many of us carry that over into adulthood. Working at a mission gives you a unique opportunity: to talk to, learn from and fellowship with strangers. That is great blessing!

Could you imagine Jesus not talking to and not healing strangers? I sure can’t.

I am not sure when it was that I lost that old adage of not talking to strangers. I am surely glad that I don’t follow the motto any more. I certainly have been blessed by many strangers here at the Mission. Building relationships with the residents and clients is quite rewarding to say the least.

Our residents here are soooo uniquely awesome. If you’ve never worked for a mission I encourage you to volunteer at one. Don’t walk, but RUN to your nearest mission, homeless shelter or soup-kitchen. Do as Jesus commands us to do, "Love as I have loved you".

- Lisa Shopf, Assistant to the President

Finding meaning through serving

Searching for the true meaning of life? You’ll find it in serving the Lord with sincere commitment and living for Him. I’ve been volunteering for a number of years at the Water Street Rescue Mission, helping with the mail, preparing food, correcting Bible lessons and much more.

The fellowship with other volunteers is enjoyable and strengthening. The dedication of the chaplains, teachers, counselors and everyone else is amazing and encouraging. Time here on earth passes quickly and we must serve while we have the opportunity.

The bread that giveth strength I want to give,
And the water pure that bids thirsty live.
I want to help the fainting day by day;
I’m sure I shall not pass again this way.
I want to give to others hope and faith.
I want to do all the Master saith,
I want to live aright from day to day,
I’m not sure I shall pass again this way.
(Anonymous)

-Barbara Nissly, 86 year-old volunteer

Pajama Day

Not too long ago the staff decided to spice up the winter stretch by holding “pajama day” at school. The anticipation of such an event generated a lot of excitement and many children would ask as they left for the day “Is tomorrow pajama day?”

At last the long-awaited day arrived. You could feel the joy in the air. I had an early morning meeting that day and so I arrived at school just in time for weekly chapel. Since I had not been at the door to greet them as they arrived, each little one wanted to make sure I saw not only their pajamas, but also their slippers and the stuffed toy they had brought with them. They were even amazed that their teachers wore their pajamas to school!

The teachers had worked hard at planning special activities for the day and I know that a lot of memories were created that day. So much so that just last week, one of our K-4 children told me on his way out, “Miss Lorraine, we’re praying for another pajama day!” Reminding me once again that God really does care about the little things that make us happy. (Uh-h-h, I wonder if God wants me to help answer that prayer?)

-Lorraine Brandt, Director of Wonder Club School
Wonder Club School is WSRM's kindergarten and pre-k school for children in Lancaster City.

Hummingbirds

My passion is hummingbirds. Though not my first passion, it is certainly on my “top ten” list. Have you ever wondered how amazing it is to see these tiny “jewels” flitting around so quickly that the eye can hardly keep them in view? I became fascinated with them just after arriving in the USA when a church member gave me a feeder as a gift, (we don’t have hummingbirds where I come from.) Not really knowing anything about these birds, I decided to hang the feeder out anyway. Then came the waiting time. I watched and I waited, and summer slipped by with the feeder hanging there ignored and unused, and still I watched and waited.

One morning, as I was taking a leisurely breakfast on the deck I casually glanced at the feeder with no real hope of seeing anything when it suddenly dawned on me that there was something sitting on the perch. I was stunned, speechless and in tears. This tiny creature appeared when I least expected it and then it was gone just as fast.

I was taught a valuable lesson that day. God is in the business of sending blessings into our lives but sometimes those blessings are tiny and they come so unexpectedly that we miss them. He showed me how important it is to look for the small, daily blessings instead of always looking for the big things .A smile, a word of encouragement, someone who holds the elevator door open for you when you are trailing 10 yards behind and round the corner, these are the small blessings for which I am truly thankful.

- Sue Pearce, Learning Center Coordinator

Uncertainty

What can I say?
Deciding what to write about has always been a greater challenge for me than the actual writing. In fact, coming up with a theme has sometimes been agonizing for me. So, as I approach the writing of this blog, I come with a great deal of uncertainty. I therefore resort to writing about what I know – uncertainty.

In our ministry to the women and children here at Water Street Rescue Mission, we in the Women’s Division need to constantly remind ourselves that, though we may be uncertain, God is never so.

We begin each day with a time of staff prayer and commitment, not because we have all the answers, but because God does. What a blessing to know that the God of the universe knows and cares about each hurting woman and child who will come our way on any given day. What a joy to share His Word with each of them and to be a part of His Work at Water Street Rescue Mission. What a comfort to know that no situation or circumstance catches our Heavenly Father off guard and nothing is too big for Him to handle.

I thank God for the uncertainty that drives me into His presence and forces me to call on Him day by day, moment by moment, and for the absolute certainty that He hears and answers.

-Vicki Bollman, Director of Women’s Ministry

I used to be a great parent

Before I had kids I was a great parent. Now as a Father of two girls I can tell you that I am neither a great parent nor an awful one. But few things have brought me to my knees like the challenges that arise in day-to-day parenting. Last week our oldest daughter Hannah was faced with a difficult decision. She came to my wife and I and wanted us to make a decision for her. And we could have too, if we would have had a clue of what that ‘right decision’ was!

But we yielded to our ignorance, encouraged Hannah to please God in whatever choice she made, and prayed with her for wisdom. Her choice is still pending but bottom line, this incident reminds me of how easy it is to make decisions for others as we try to insulate them from hurt. Yet it seems more important – and more difficult – that Hannah grapple with making a decision on her own. And as Parents, the compulsion to decide for our children is not unlike what the staff at the Mission faces everyday as broken folks look to us – all experts in parenting of course – for answers. So, just as God gives us choice – to follow Him or not – we must resist the urge to co-opt another’s choice when this process might be meant for their (and our) growth.

-Steve Brubaker, Director of Residential Ministries

We can't do it alone

Fear – the most powerful tool that Satan has in his arsenal – paralyzes men and women every day. The fear of failure and the approval of men cause countless people to put on a desperate smile and repeat over and over that everything is alright.

Poverty – of the pocketbook, of opportunity, of resources, of desire, and of hope combine to create emotional poverty and spiritual bankruptcy.

How can we come alongside people and help them to overcome fear and address issues of poverty in a manner that will communicate Christ’s love, that the hope and presence of His Spirit might bring hope and healing? In His goodness God has provided us with the physical resources, so, how do we at WSRM distribute these resources in a manner that is redemptive and ministers holistically to families and individuals?

Recognizing that the Body of Christ is immense and multi-gifted, and that many of the individuals who come to us for assistance live in neighborhoods where the Body is already present, we are attempting to serve the Body of Christ as the body of Christ serves their communities by addressing issues of homelessness, poverty and social justice. The issues and solutions are too complex and the number of people needing assistance are too high for one part for the body to do this alone.

The work of the kingdom has never been about one individual, one church, or one organization – it is about One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of all, who equips us according to our calling that “when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:1-16)

Columbia United Methodist, Columbia Christian Fellowship, Faith Reformed Presbyterian, and Crossroads Mennonite Church will again serve their local communities at Easter by distributing Food Boxes. Through these efforts and the relationships being built and established, people are coming to SEE the love of Christ and EXPERINCE the hope that comes from living a life surrendered to Him. Isn’t this what life in the Kingdom is all about?

-Rick Rutter, Director of Outreach Ministries

Losers being used by the Lord

As I sit and reflect at the end of a hard day a fresh wave of unworthiness washes over me. How did this dysfunctional, drug addicted-loser end up being used by the Lord to change lives?

I recall the early days of my recovery as I slinked into Bible College filled with shame over a lifetime of sleazy acts that would always have to be stated in any honest recounting of my past. In College, I walked the halls with some who had never tasted alcohol and were still virgins. I felt filthy in their presence. My shame haunted me throughout College and Seminary. I could hardly look my Professors in the eye.

As an attempt to help me discover the Lord’s plan for me, one of my Professors recommended that I try volunteering at the local rescue mission. I was amazed at what I found. In ten minutes of sharing my history with a man at the mission I could feel my shame being lifted as my story provided him hope. I was convinced in an instant that this was where I would be serving the Lord.

Since Seminary I have found that, in ministry, the Lord continues to use my brokenness far more than he uses my training. All I have to do to be effective is: be honest about my sinfulness!

- Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

A change of life

Ten months ago I was living in a smelly, roach infested motel room. I had no hope of living another day. Then my brother brought me to the Water Street Rescue Mission.
My first night was spent in the Men’s Emergency Shelter. The next day I spoke to a chaplain. He explained the three program options available to me. I chose the 15 week Christian Life Development Program. The goal of this program is to teach life changing skills through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
As a requirement of the C.L.D. program, I was assigned a task. My job as “Deskman” was to see to the needs of new clients coming into the shelter. This was very difficult for me because all my life I have avoided interacting with people. Through participation in the C.L.D. program I learned to treat all people with gentleness, kindness, dignity, and respect.
In applying this knowledge my outlook on life has become more hopeful, and I feel more a part of the community of believers in Christ. Thoughts of taking my life have been replaced with thoughts of giving my life in service to the Lord. For this I am thankful to the community at the Water Street Rescue Mission.

- Lane (client and learning center student - WSRM)

A snowy day in Philly

Feb. 13 schools were closed and Bible Study was cancelled due to snow. I called Brandon Robinson and Joe Hall, two of our junior counselors, to see if they would spend the day with me doing volunteer work.

First we went to the 20th Street Teen Haven building where Miss Ann and Miss Oddet live. We thought we'd help them by shoveling out Ann's car, Oddet's car and Oddet's van. The guys worked hard and did a good job. We had it all done in less than an hour. Then we were rewarded with lunch served by Oddet in her kitchen. Oddet told me later how impressed she was with the courteous and respectful behavior of Brandon and Joe.

After lunch, Joe, Brandon and I drove over to Shahid’s house. Shahid is new to Teen Haven and has not seemed very enthusiastic about coming or about doing his quiet times or memory verses. He does do them, seemingly grudgingly.

Joe and Brandon (along with Curt, another staff) sometimes visit other boys from bible study to encourage them to do better quiet times (many of the boys only do the bare minimum).

This visit worked particularly well with Shahid. Shahid doesn't talk much with me, because I'm an adult. Just gives me one word answers. So I didn't say a thing. Brandon and Joe led everything. They kept peppering Shahid with questions until he really started to open up and share his thoughts. The passage Joe and Brandon chose to go over was from the book of James, chapter 3, about the proper and improper use of the tongue. The discussion was very stimulating and helpful to everyone. I think Shahid was greatly encouraged. (Update: a month later, John reports that Shahid continues to put in great effort on his bible studies and quiet times.)

-John Schleh, Philadelphia Teen Haven

Thoughts from a volunteer

Right after graduation, I began volunteering at the youth center at my church, but then had to stop after my new job monopolized the majority of my time and energy. After that job did not work out, I suddenly had a lot of free time, and wanted to keep busy while I searched for a new job. After prayer for some guidance and direction, God led me to the Water Street Rescue Mission to volunteer, as I was interested in possibly working for a non-profit organization. I appreciated the work that the Mission was accomplishing in the community, and wanted to contribute my time and talent.

As a volunteer, I assisted the Development Department to allow the staff to focus on the tasks that only they were trained to do. I arranged the Thanksgiving meal tickets into a bulletin board display, trained to assist and cover for the receptionist, and helped with other basic office work. From my experience volunteering here, I have enjoyed seeing the devoted reliance on Christ’s guidance for the success of this organization.

Most importantly, I have also learned that any help, no matter how insignificant it may seem, greatly contributes to the changing of lives that occurs daily at the Water Street Rescue Mission.

- Sara Miller, volunteer (now part-time office staff)

A different treatment

During a Monday evening clinic session a gentleman living in another shelter came into the clinic to see the physician. He had been drinking and was somewhat upset and while in the clinic became agitated by a situation. The doctor and staff encouraged him to go to the hospital to detox.

As he came from the treatment room after talking to the doctor, one of our volunteer nurses suggested that we gather around this gentleman and pray for him. He agreed and the staff formed a circle around him and lifted him to the Lord in prayer. As we prayed he was quieted and wept and joined us by offering his own prayer.

The following Monday he returned to the clinic, sober and a different man. He had in fact followed through and had gone to detox and was now back at his previous program. During the next 1-2 weeks he again returned to see us and shared that he had found a job and was beginning work the following day.

Prayer changes situations, but more importantly it changes hearts. Praise God!

-Jean Benedict, RN, Water Street Medical Clinic

A gentle answer...

My wife teaches me a lot about life and God… recently, the teenage girl who was living with us was trying our patience a bit: getting in trouble at school, lying, etc. After getting a phone call from her school explaining that she once again arrived without her uniform and then told the teacher she didn’t have access to laundry facilities, my wife was ready to explode. You see, my wife does laundry 3-4 times a week (we have 4 young daughters) and has offered just about every night to do our young guest’s laundry as well.

Wouldn’t you know, though, that Tanya’s quiet time that morning included Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

All her planning of the right words to use to rip into our guest and put her in her place was going to be for naught. When she arrived home from school, Tanya gently asked to speak with her in the kitchen for a few minutes. Somehow Tanya let all the anger and rage drift away, and calmly explained how much we cared for the young lady, her surprise at the story she felt compelled to make up, and to once again offer to do her laundry.

Our guest didn’t say a word (she was prepared for the barrage of anger she usually receives from adults in her life), and after a few minutes left the room. When Tanya finished prepping dinner, she walked into the living room to find a basket of the girl’s clothes and a remorseful young lady. For the next 10 minutes, our guest apologized and thanked Tanya again and again. She didn’t instantly turn into an angel, but the last several days before she returned to live with her father were much better.

She still stops by several times a week, and is continuing to come to our church’s youth group. She also looks at Tanya like she does few other adults.

-Jack Crowley (Teen Haven Director)

Thoughts on throw-up

I spent lunch time today with my family. On the days I am able to do this, it is usually a highlight of my day (my family consists of my lovely wife and 4 beautiful daughters - under 5yrs old). I’m not sure if today would qualify as a highlight, since I spent most of the time cleaning up throw-up out of a car seat and clothes and holding a smelly 14 month-old. Don’t get me wrong, I still loved being able to be with the fam, but now I’m wondering if the lingering smell on me will be noticed during my afternoon meetings.

Thoughts on throw-up… usually vomit is the result of either something bad working inside of us (a virus or bacteria) or something bad that we put into ourselves (spoiled food, too much alcohol, etc). When there is something bad working inside of us, or we fill ourselves with something our body wasn’t intended to ingest, we are not surprised when something ugly comes back out.

Why did it take me years of working with youth to stop being surprised when occasionally something ugly came out of them (language, violence, anger, attitude)? Look at what they and our society put into them (racism, poverty, absentee parents, the media, anger, violence, etc). Add on top of that the sickness of sin working from within, and it makes more sense to expect some ugliness than to be shocked by it.

The challenge is to love in the midst of cleaning up the vomit (literal and figurative). This is easier to do with my own children, but I thank God he is helping me learn how to do it with the others he brings my way as well.

-Jack Crowley (Teen Haven Director)