Thankful for the opportunity...

The Lord gave me a wonderful opportunity this week to take two young gentlemen from our shelter to a Vacation Bible School.

Driving to church the first night I had some reservations about taking them…especially after hearing from their mom “Do not let them be in the same group, they do not get along at all.” (OK and I’m about to get into a car with them?!) I wondered if I was getting into something over my head, yet I knew this was something Jesus would be pleased with.

When we got to church I so quickly got caught up with organizing the snacks that I forgot to tell the leaders to separate the boys…hence they ended up in the same group. Instead of making a big deal out of it I decided to watch and see what happens. They were WONDERFUL, so well behaved! I watched them sing, play games, listen intently to the Bible lesson, color, eat…everything! Not one problem all night, God was good…and so were they!

Now it’s Wednesday and two days of VBS have gone by…as I sit here typing I am picturing the boys interacting with people this past week. My heart grew attached very quickly to these precious children, I felt proud when they recited their Bible verses with no mistakes, I felt happy to see them interacting with other children, I felt sad when I saw them clinging to the male leaders, yearning for every bit of attention they could get…most of all, I felt thankful for the opportunity to bring them.

Each night when we went back to the shelter they ran to find their mom to tell her everything they learned and did that night, I could see it brought joy to her heart…and how good it felt to tell her that her boys were in the same group, and there were NO problems!
Two more nights to go, I can hardly wait until 5:00pm! By the time you read this, VBS will be over; please pray that the Word of God will remain in their hearts, and that they will want to share the things they’ve learned with all of their buddies in the years to come.

- Amy Wright, Development Department

Thankful

Before I came to Water Street Rescue Mission, I was floundering in my life.

I was filled with feelings of worthlessness which caused me to look for acceptance through pre-marital sex, one night stands, drinking, and getting “high” on anything that I could get my hands on to escape. I was out of control, practicing Wicca as my “Religion” instead of searching for the One who was always waiting for me.

Fourteen years ago I quit the drugs. I always thought it was through my own strength. But now I know it was God watching over His sheep. Because when I was eleven, before all this happened in my life, I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

I have always been over-emotional, and have a tendency to want to yell to get my point across. But with lots of prayer, He has been helping me give control to Him. It’s still a work in progress.

I thank God every day for giving me my counselor and the staff, and my church family that help me everyday on my path as a good Christian. God has helped me get control over my feelings and my inferiority complex, and my belief that there are conditions on all things. All things happen through prayer. I am thankful for all God has done in my life.

-Patricia, WSRM Resident

The bottom line...

Working for the past 16 years in a Human Resources Career and working for three for-profit companies, I had heard many times how staff were expected to excel in their job performance to exceed the bottom [financial] line.

Three years ago, I was part of a “Life Group” at Lancaster County Bible Church where we studied The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren. It was the best study I had gone through because God changed my heart in many ways. He specifically led me to reconsider my current career path and be open to new expectations He had for me during the remainder of my earthly journey.

Over the past two years, I began to seek other employment where my focus and expectations were not on the “bottom line”, but to first glorify God either in an HR career or another career path. After looking for more than one year, God brought me to Water Street Rescue Mission. WSRM is an essential ministry, which is led by Biblical values and a place where staff share how God is being glorified through their everyday work. Staff also pray before meetings, before interviews and will pray for each other when sharing a burden or personal issue. We are not expected to exceed the [financial] bottom line, but to experience God’s grace and His love through this ministry.

WSRM has dedicated, compassionate, hardworking staff who love Jesus and who desire to advance God’s kingdom through this ministry. We all have an internal gratitude to God (for the price that Jesus paid for us on the Cross) and want to glorify Him in everything we do and that is the bottom line!

-Jane A. Keller, Human Resources Director

Hiding in the dark, or a light in the dark?

I read this verse today for the first time. It’s always been there, however, this morning I saw it ... read it for the first time.

Judges 6:27 reads: So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night.

It’s tough being openly obedient to God. Especially if you like comfort over conflict, peace over prejudice, or rest over regret. This is especially true for the men in Lancaster County Prison I met with this morning. They are faithful in their attendance and appear genuine in their desire to see their lives transformed. However, the cares of the world, in their case a prison system that is overcrowded (this morning 3 men in 2 man cells and women sleeping on cots in the gym) and where control is necessary, compassion is not always evident.

So when some of these men get back to their pods and cells fear of man reigns. Fear of the guards, of the others in the pods and in their cell. Any slight is a perceived disrespect and those perceived as being weak are exposed to intimidation and threats. Persecution for genuine faith is real. Men and women struggle to succeed because they do not have the hope or a strong enough faith to see the potential they possess as God created them.

And in the darkness of their cells - they read and study. They cry out to God and live as obediently as they know how. In the middle of the night, they are studying, struggling to understand God and learn how they can be successful when all their lives they been told (verbally and through actions) that they are worthless and will never be successful.

No wonder they only come out at night.

In the midst of the chaos are men and women who withstand the persecution to minister under the banner of Christ that they may all know God has a plan and a purpose for them all.

What excuse do I have for not being the light, the example, the hope for the lost. The vessel God uses as He draws the unsaved unto salvation. Have I grown too comfortable? Too complacent?

Lord, help me to understand the freedom that comes from serving you openly and call and challenge to live out my faith boldly and openly – without the fear of my family or of man.

-Rick Rutter, Outreach Ministries

Why I love

Dr. Elmer Towns was my favorite Liberty University professor. I also enjoyed hearing my father and reading what he wrote. Both agreed on a significant issue that many miss. In part, through them I heard this amazing truth. “God is love” (1 John 4:16).

God does not love us for ourselves, but because He is love. He loves because that is what He does. What He does comes from Who He is. His love is not dependent on the object of His love.

My father pointed out God has to be faithful because He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). Jesus’ command flows from this—love because of God’s love; not because of the object of your love (John 15:12). A surprising idea—just as God loves because of Who He is, we are to love because of who we are (due to our connection with God); not the object of our love.

This means that as God loves those who deserve the opposite, we are to do the same. What a great way to do this, working at Water Street Rescue Mission. Imagine not just obeying God, but being given opportunities to do it. This I owe in part to my professor and my father.

-Michael Haines, Men’s Ministry

Poverty

For the last several weeks, the Outreach Ministries Dept has been facilitating a discussion about poverty...what is it? what causes it? how do we respond to it? The discussion has included staff and leaders at the mission and from the community. The conversation continues and hopefully will provide guidance to our programs and to our relationships with others in the body of Christ.

I am enjoying the discussion we are having at the Mission about poverty. But I have observed there seem to be many opinions how what poverty is. Some spiritualize it, some compare cultures. Some use pure economics.

I have been to India, Nepal, Thailand and African countries where the poorest person I know in the USA would be considered wealthy by the poor on those countries. I understand the economic viewpoint where poverty is viewed from the vantage point of its surrounding wealth (or lack of wealth). If the economic system in the US allowed for the poorest 10% of the population to receive $50,000 a year, but the remaining 90% of the population received $150,000 - would we not choose to define that 10% as “being in poverty”?

I think our challenge is to engage in our discussion from a place of supra-cultural principles. This would allow us to talk about poverty without cultural issues confusing our conversation. Perhaps we would be better served to define poverty without the help of economics.

Perhaps it should be defined according to the relationship a person has to oppression or opportunity. The Biblical instructions to followers of God are to help the oppressed, the prisoner, and the person in bondage. I suggest that using this lens to view poverty helps to lessen the cultural bias that we each have and allows for meaningful discussion about how we engage with those who are our neighbors.

-Jere Shertzer, President

A stolen car?

I thank God that He not only provides answers, but often amuses us by demonstrating His sense of humor here at the Water Street Rescue Mission.

Recently one of our residents, who struggles with paranoia, found life in our shelter overwhelming. After she telephoned police and the FBI to report imagined plots against her, the client was removed from shelter life for her own safety (and the safety of other residents). She took refuge elsewhere but that soon came to an end and, again homeless, she was permitted to stay in our cold weather sleeping with the stipulation that she not take it upon herself to call the police or the FBI during her stay.

She hesitated in accepting this condition as she was certain her car was in our parking lot and that her ex-husband had sold it to one of our employees. We tried to reassure her and repeated the “No Police-No FBI” rule.

Naively, we believed the matter settled until, next morning a call from administration alerted me to “something” happening in the parking lot. As I exited my office building, there was this dear lady, leaning into the passenger window of the police cruiser, rapidly explaining to the officer how her car had been stolen and parked right here in our parking lot.

As she described the third car in the lot and pointed wildly with her right hand to identify it, I was more amused than surprised to find that the vehicle in question was MY car!

-Vicki Bollman, Women's Ministries

Thank you volunteers!

The ministry at Water Street Rescue Mission would not be the same and definitely would not be nearly as effective if it wasn’t for the commitment and sacrifice of the hundreds of volunteers who give of themselves each day. Thank you to all of our volunteers!

Memories

Here I sit in my office contemplating the silence. As I listen all I hear is the ticking of the clock on the wall. No sound of children laughing and playing in the “gym area” as they enjoy playtime with their friends under the watchful eye of the teachers. No cheery little voices greeting me when I walk by their classrooms. No frantic running footsteps as a child scurries down two flights of stairs to let me know her teacher needs me “right now!” No screaming and yelling from the child who can’t have his own way and who doesn’t want to listen to his teacher. None of the sounds that come with being in the presence of other people.

Yes, the school year has ended and I sit here, alone in the quiet, preparing for the next year. My mind is drawn back to the last day of school just a few short weeks ago. Several days during the week I help to supervise the lunch time and on this day, we were having a pizza party to celebrate the end of school. As the children were finishing their lunches, I took the opportunity to ask, “Who can tell me one thing they learned in school this year?” The responses were instantaneous; they all wanted an opportunity to talk. “I learned to count to 100.” “I learned all my letters.” “I can write my name now.” “I learned about Jesus.” “I learned Jesus died on the cross for us.” “I learned to know new friends.” “I learned to pray.” Then one little fellow raised his hand and when I called on him, he proudly said, “I learned about the Holy Spirit and that He lives in me and helps me in all I do.” Wow! I know a lot of Christians who haven’t gotten that lesson down yet.

As I look at the class pictures under the glass on my desk, I see faces that bring lots of memories. Faces of children who heard about Jesus for the first time in Wonder Club and who learned to worship and to pray. Faces filled with excitement as they entered each day wanting to learn. Faces of children who were shy or lonely or scared, but who found love and acceptance from their peers. Faces of those who were easy to love and those who were challenging. And I thank God for giving me the tremendous privilege to learn to know them and be a part of their lives for this short time.

-Lorraine Brandt, Wonder Club

Not just an ordinary Father's Day

This is the day many children celebrate and honor their dads, whether biological or adoptive; we celebrate a special day for them.

I give great honor and thanks to my Father, God. He took me out of the worst of the picking; I was anything but a son to be proud of.

My bio-family disowned or shunned me because I choose to speak the truth about the dysfunction in my life with the family. I knew if I was to survive my life I would have to hold up my chin and walk away from their denial. One parent blaming the other, yet both was abusive. Lies that they taught me I believed and lived out until November 14th, 2004.

I became baptized, reborn in my spiritual life, more importantly to me at the time was to be adopted, as is, into my Heavenly Father’s Kingdom. He has blessed me so many blessings.

He directed me to Water Street Rescue Mission, He provided loving and patient staff to allow me a chance to really learn the truth of who God really is, who I am and given me a happier life with Him. I’m swimming in a healing, loving, spiritual pool that my Father has given me. An opportunity to really seek Him out, to make me transparent so His light can shine through me and allow light to brighten another’s darkened spirits.

Father God has taught me Real Love; His Truth in His Word is all about.

I forgave my bio-family and prayed mercy on them. I had hoped they (the bio-family) would have sought out Christian counseling and moved on with their lives.

I’m starting to move on in my life with all my heart and soul on doing anything that is pleasing to my Heavenly Father. I want to live a life that is only pleasing to Him.

He blessed me with a family at West End Mennonite Fellowship, also many Brothers and Sisters at Water Street Rescue Mission. I am also surrounded daily with Love, support, encouragement and inspiration.

This will never be “just another Father’s Day” for me again, but rather a Happy Holy Father God’s Day.

Teach me all your ways so you, Heavenly Father can have all the glory and honor for all the many accomplishments in my life.

Happy Holy Father God’s Day! I LOVE YOU

-Bro. Pauljay

What if I don't feel forgiven?

Today's post comes from a member our Lancaster Teen Haven program. Nate is 14 years old and has been coming to Teen Haven for about 2 years. He is a mature young man with great potential who the staff count it a "privilege" to be training up as a leader.

Many times, we have trouble letting go of the past experiences in our lives. Instead of receiving God’s forgiveness, we try to work for it and still wonder why those “old tapes” play in our heads. Why is it so hard to be free from the past?

Overcoming guilt has been a struggle for me. When I was thirteen years old, something I did (regrettably) stayed with me for a long time. I had a hard time believing that the Blood of Jesus was all that I needed for an eraser, to rid me of that blemish on my record. Sure, I understood that the Word of God was all truth, but it didn’t feel like it. It wasn’t until I realized what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross and understood the true forgiveness given to me through a relationship with Him. It wasn’t about feelings anymore, it was about Truth.

I now know the importance of prayer and standing on His Holy Word, when I don’t feel forgiven. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reads that “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has came.” Praise God for that.

-Nathaniel, Lancaster Teen Haven

Looking for a little depth

I’m reading a book describing the Rwandan genocide where almost a million people were slaughtered within an extremely short time period. During 1994, in the span of 100 days, 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered mostly by machete, mostly at the hands of colleagues, fellow villagers, and even relatives. This event was described as the ‘fastest and most efficient killing spree of the 20th century!’ Yet, Rwanda was statistically the most ‘Christian’ of any African country in the mid – 1990s!

How can we reconcile this (hopefully apparent) inconsistency where the church was unable to prevent or - at a minimum - restrain genocide? How is it possible that so many Christians could participate – while standing by or with machete in hand - in these acts of murder?

I began reading the book with hope of answering these questions and have yet to find adequate resolution. But the Rwandan story has forced me to consider the depth of the faith we are encouraging among homeless folks here at the Rescue Mission. Candidly, we have men and women going through the programs who have never been ‘written up’ or broken a rule while staying here. Many of them are not swearing, not drinking and dressing better and grooming more neatly than when they first arrived. Some can even quote the Bible and sing spiritual songs in chapel! And yet, some will leave here totally unchanged! Underneath the façade they are still thinking the same, struggling with the same issues as when they entered the program. And superficial faith is neither sufficient to prevent a holocaust nor can it withstand assault from the addictions, obsessions, toils, and difficulties that confront all of us in daily life.

How easy it is for all of us – Hutu and Tutsi, or resident and seasoned Christian alike – to define our faith by what we do or don’t do!

A superficial faith allowed the Christians of Rwanda to ‘friendly up’ to the then government. A superficial faith kept the Rwandan Christians from seeing the power grab of the majority Hutus for what it was – a twisted way to compensate for their prior exploitation by the Tutsis. A superficial faith tolerated the butchering of friend, brother and sister, grandma and aunt. And, though apparently less consequential, a superficial faith keeps our men and women – and us - in bondage to addiction and sin.

“Lord forgive us. Forgive us for settling for the ease of defining our faith by what we do or don’t do. Forgive us for judging others when our own heart is far from being centered on you. Forgive us for our pride and help us to be authentic and vulnerable so that in our weakness You will be glorified. And help all of us in the Body of Christ – Hutu, Tutsi, rescue mission worker and resident – grow deep in our relationship with You."

-Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries

What is poverty?

We are in the midst of a discussion – internally and externally – concerning poverty.

How do we define poverty and what are the causes?

Is there a difference between the deserving and the undeserving poor? Who makes that determination?

Define charity. Is it biblical? Is it redemptive? Who makes that determination?

Who are the poor? What do they look like? Is this an urban or a suburban or a rural issue? How do we respond? How do we determine who needs our help and who does not?

As we look at Outreach Ministries, I have been facilitating a discussion that seeks to answer those questions from God’s perspective. In my flesh, I can draw lines where God might require Love. In my cynicism, I can close doors while God requires open arms.

Answering the philosophical questions are important and necessary, however, there are real people, with real lives, and with real needs who will be affected by what I decide.

Way too much power for a sinner such as I. Good thing I have a sovereign God to lean on.

Pray for me and all the leaders, staff, residents, and volunteers for the wisdom to lean on God and the grace to minister out of His Love for us.

-Rick Rutter, Outreach Ministries

Jesus is Hope

I have often characterized our work as “standing at the edge of Hell pulling people out one at a time”. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Seeing men grasp the hope that will lift them from the pit is truly miraculous. Hope provides both the courage and the energy needed to “fight the good fight”. This hope is the indwelling Christ, who changes men from the inside out.

All too frequently though our men grab on to a wrong hope and these wrong hopes are not sufficient for the task. If we mistakenly focus our men solely on improving life skills, relapse prevention or Bible knowledge we may instill an inadequate hope. With insufficient hope they slip back into the pit. Many of our men are clinging to a false hope.

Real hope comes from trusting in the indwelling Christ alone. This is the scariest thing imaginable for our men. It is also the most difficult thing to teach. How do we teach trust? …not in a class …not in counseling …not by obeying rules …not by more discipline.

In my experience trust is caught, not taught. It is learned in relationship. It is modeled. It defies anything rote or programmatic. It requires an experience of much grace and truth over a long period of time in a safe & healing environment with unrelenting accountability done in genuine loving relationship.

It would be my wish that any who read this would stop and pray for our ministry, that we would be effective modelers of trusting in Jesus. And that our men would see our trust of Him and take the risk of trusting Him themselves.

Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

A tree in the city

Have you ever seen a tree planted in the city (you know in one of those cut-outs in the sidewalk)? Occasionally, one of those trees that was meant to “fit-in” and provide a pleasant diversion in an otherwise bleak landscape does much more than that. It grows so large that it breaks up the sidewalk, causes damage to the street, its roots damage water lines and sewer pipes, and its branches disrupt power lines. It changes not just the sightlines on the street, but it changes the street itself. When it was planted, it was intended to be a pleasant little thing, but now it threatens to disrupt the city.

A while ago I shared about planning for a teen leadership retreat. Well, last weekend was that retreat…Becoming Oaks – The Teen Haven Spring Leadership Retreat. Almost 50 teenagers from Philadelphia, Lancaster, Columbia, and York came to Teen Haven camp for an intense weekend of training, encouragement, and worship.

The emphasis was on encouraging these youth to understand the potential God has placed in each of them (like the potential of an acorn), and equip them to live up to that potential (like a majestic oak).

What encouraged me most in those three days was seeing how many of those teens are already spreading a firm foundation of roots and stretching their branches toward the sky. There was a hunger to learn, grow, and serve among these youth that is a precious resource.

The youth who left Teen Haven camp on May 28th are prepared to disrupt their cities. These “oaks of righteousness” will return home and continue to grow, and their lives will cause their communities to change. I can’t wait to see the work God will do through them. (Isaiah 61:3-4)

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

Learning about life

I work on the administration floor, away from the sweat and tears of real rescue mission work. In an attempt to understand what Water Street Rescue Mission is all about, I spent a Saturday evening on the women’s floor. Really, I spent a Saturday evening learning what life is all about.

I learned about the desire to achieve: I met a female resident in the elevator who had just found employment for the first time in two years. She was so excited and proud – you could see the joy bubbling up from inside of her.

I learned about the hardships of parenting: One resident was very pregnant, and she looked exhausted. It was all she could do to walk down the overly warm hallway (currently the women’s shelter does not have air conditioning), let alone tend to the two rambunctious children tugging and screaming at each arm. She struggled with understanding how to best discipline her children.

Another mother had three children, ranging from 3 to 6 years of age. I sat down with her kids who were watching Cinderella 2 in the lobby. They laughed and hugged me and jumped onto my lap. The youngest even started to cry when I had to leave. Their mom obviously loved them, but often spoke with a sharp tongue – maybe from the frustration of all that homelessness brings, or maybe that’s how her mother spoke to her.

I learned about living out faith. A resident shared about her job, and how her coworkers were giving her a hard time for being thorough and efficient. The resident said she wanted to do her best at the job the Lord had given her and share her faith at the same time, but others’ comments and looks were demeaning.

Thank you, Lord, for each unique individual you bring to Water Street Rescue Mission. Thank you for their gifts, talents, and dreams. Thank you for making a plan for their lives – for each of our lives.

Praising Him,

-Maria B. Ream, Public Relations and Media Manager

Death is life

I found out last week that a client we have helped for the last year has died. Ruth (fictitious name) was a woman in her 40’s tormented by alcoholism and the resulting health problems that come from years of drinking. When I met Ruth she was desperate for help in getting her medications. She was living in a half-way house and had a private Dr, but no money to get the medicines she needed to sustain her life.

I got her hooked into the Clinics prescription assistance program, and wouldn’t you know it, the paperwork got “lost”. I don’t blame her for being angry. She was used to having people let her down and not help her, and here we were, a “Christian” Clinic who also did not do what they promised.

As she was screaming at me over the telephone, my heart softened and ached for her. This was absolutely the Spirit of Jesus in me, for my usual response would have been to get firm with her, and if she didn’t stop yelling to hang up. I listened patiently until she was done, and then simply said, “I’m so sorry we messed up!” I told her I would do whatever was needed to make this right. First, I would get her the medications she needed immediately, and then re-file the paperwork for her medicines from the pharmaceutical company. All the while I was praying, “Lord, how & why did we mess up so for Ruth?”

I then got her address and personally delivered the medicines to her along with a note of apology and a small gift of a notepad & pen. Ruth called me the next day and said that she had not had an apology from anyone in many years and she was sorry she had acted so rudely. We talked and laughed together. What a moment of humility for me and a picture of the Spirit filling us with gentleness & forgiveness.

We continued to help Ruth over the next year get her medications & without any problems with the paperwork, thank the Lord!

She is now in heaven with Jesus, for she expressed to me that life is so hard for her, and she often stumbles, but it is Christ that is seeing her through. No more need for pills or paperwork Ruth & I look forward to seeing you in heaven!

-Gale Thomason, Director of Health Services

Letter from a friend

One of the chaplains recently passed this letter on to me from a former resident.

Hey Chaplain –

You might not remember me but my name is Dale ------ and I wrote this short pray that was read on the radio and I was thinking about you because you helped me when I was down and out. I’ve been clean since Sept. 9, 2005, I was discharged from Water Street in December of 2005 and I have continued to stay rooted and grounded in the word. Just wanted you to know that God works through people such as you and you remain in my heart and prays. Thank you for being you and may God continue to bless you as he sees fit.

Dale

PS – Feel free to share this with your class, it might help somebody that’s having a tough time.

The Song Prayer
By Dale -----

O Lord my God “How Great Thou Art” that you would “Pass Me Not” while I’m “Standing on the Promises” of your “Amazing Grace.”
I can count on your “Blessed Assurance” that as I “Trust and Obey” your commands “Heaven (will) Come Down and Glory Fill My Soul.”
“Nothing but the Blood” can wash away my sins, as I stand “Near the Cross” where my savior died, Hallelujah thine the glory that He has “Revived Us Again.”
Will He refuse us a home in Heaven “No Not One” because there’s “Victory in Jesus.”

Do I love you?

In my life here at the mission I am learning many truths about myself. Some things I thought were true I find were not. I sometimes use words I think I know the meanings of, but I really only know part of their meaning.

Take the word “Love” for example. When I say “I love you” to someone, what do I really mean? Am I saying I like you, you make me feel good, I want you to like me, I lust for you? Or am I saying I am willing to do anything to bring you true happiness even if it causes me pain?

God loves me so much that he sacrificed his only son on the cross to pay for my sins so I can live forever with him in heaven.

I know now that Love is not something you say. Love is something you do. If I say I love you and don’t do anything to meet your needs or help you in your struggles then I don’t really love you. If I say to God, “I love you,” but don’t try to live my life for him then I don’t really love God. If I don’t put my brothers needs before my own I’m not loving my brother.

I hope someone tells you they love you today.

- Lane R (a resident)