Thanks Bill

This week was the Teen Haven Fall Banquet (maybe I should have advertised that on here, hmmm...).

As a part of the evening, I prepared a short video tribute to Bill Drury. Rev. Drury started Teen Haven in Philadelphia back in 1963, and was the director until the mid-90's when his health prevented him from carrying the load anymore. Bill went home to be with the Lord last December, and this was the first banquet since his death.

I didn't know Bill very well, and only got to speak with him a couple of times, but in stewarding the ministry that he started, I have come to appreciate his passion to serve Christ and love inner-city kids. Much about Teen Haven has changed through the years, but the heartbeat that Christ put within Bill for sharing the love of God with urban youth is still the mark of this ministry.

While putting together the video tribute, I listened to the voice (and heart) of Bill over and over again. My favorite quote from the video was when Bill was responding to a question about how inner-city kids responded to him approaching them on the street to talk about Teen Haven or Jesus:

"They would often say to me 'Man, who cares?'
And I would say 'Hey man, I care... I'm here... I care baby'"

As much as Teen Haven has always emphasized sharing the Gospel, Bill knew that our physical presence was crucial to being able to share the love of God in a meaningful way. Our words (whether about how much we care or how much God cares) don't mean nearly as much without our consistent presence.

Thank you God for Bill and for Teen Haven.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

The girl on the plane, the guy at the airport, the guy at the station, and the guy on the train

Jere and I had an interesting trip as we returned to Lancaster after a week of meetings in Chicago with other mission staff from around the country. The trip seemed most significant by who we encountered rather than the mechanics of the travel itself. Here’s how it went:

First we sat next to a young girl, age 27, who worked as a mechanical engineer in Jersey. She was enthusiastic, newly married, excited about life but hadn’t yet found a significant reason for getting up each morning. While on the plane, I told her of how God miraculously recovered one of my daughters’ lost dolls when we traveled from BWI one year. She was intrigued by that and later reminded us of the story as we waited to see if our luggage was lost in baggage claim. We spoke with her from our heart and life and gave her our cards inviting her to visit the Mission should she travel our way.

Next as we sat waiting for the SEPTA train from the airport a homeless guy came to us asking for a quarter. (We were the only travelers who returned eye contact with him – so we naively - some would say - invited his request!) We sat with him while he ate food from the garbage can. We asked him about his past, his family, his health, and whether he was staying warm or not. We enjoyed bantering with him and gave him the name of a friend who works with the homeless in Philadelphia.

Then while sitting in 30th Street Station a man came up and reminded us that he had met us before. He had been a resident at the Lancaster Mission many years ago and remembered us; he also asked about Chaplain Menno and Chaplain Stan and the rest of the staff here. We told him we would pray for him and encouraged him to keep walking with Jesus in all he does.

And finally, we were able to sit on the Amtrak train to Lancaster with a fellow Christian as he returned from a week away from his family. We spoke at length about his journey from nominal faith to deeper trust. And we were able to encourage him – and he us.

Four encounters, four very different people. Yet Jere and I were happy and wondering whether these encounters reflected God’s real intention for our ‘important’ meeting in Chicago. Could it be, even as we clung to our agenda and calendars, that what we valued as important – like maybe the meeting in Chicago - was not as nearly consuming to our Lord as people?

Imagine going through a day without concern for making dollars, paying bills, or following an agenda but for ministering as others are led to come alongside! Imagine being consumed, not with tasks and priorities and schedules, but people!

- Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries

I have to change my view...

Pursuant to a recent discussion on valuing accountability with one of our men, Sue Pearce (co-worker and Learning Center Instructor) sent the following response:

“I have to change my view on how we can love a person and hate the sin, and on how to offer grace to someone. I was torn between wanting to rescue this man once again and shouting at him to open his eyes and see the truth about himself and others. I am not experienced at seeing beneath the surface and I realize I am going to have to learn a lot. It scares me to be in a position where I would have to make decisions that can send the person back to the "pig-sty" until he is broken. I don't like being in that position... I feel out of my depth. However, I understand why this has to be.”

It is heart-warming to be on the same page with our co-workers, especially when they genuinely “get it”. My general way has been to voraciously research something; meticulously setting all my ducks in neat little rows; charting all possible options; marching forward like a mighty Army. Sue simply said, “I have to change my view…” then asked me to walk it out with her. This is the very essence of accountability.

Accountability is surely not for the faint of heart. Scripture often touches on the value of this characteristic in one who would be the “Noble Warrior” (the one who will, in love, not shrink back from Truth). It is often in the “pig-sty” where we come to our senses (like the prodigal). It is only in Love that our God inflicts the pain of discipline on us. The Noble one will not hold back due consequences, no matter the pain—for to do so is unloving. We hurt because we do not “see” the solution; He hurts because He does see it—His precious Son, on a cruel Cross and in a cruel Hell; paying for our Sin.

Blessings…

- Norm Lowry, Learning Center Coordinator

Trust

Just looking at the “Purpose Driven Life” this morning and thinking a bit about trust. Rick Warren talks about Noah in Chapter 9 – how Noah pleased God because of his faithfulness. Wow! Noah was asked to build the Queen Mary in the middle of the desert and then to fill it with animals – and he did it without complaining.

Imagine any of us being asked to do such a thing. What questions would we have of God? Where am I going to get the supplies or the $$$ to buy them, and how will I ever round up all those animals? Who’s going to help build this thing? And, won’t I look stupid if it doesn’t rain? And, I suppose You want me to quit my job so I can do this? Then, how will I get the $$$ to buy those animals? God, do you know how much a parrot costs? Besides, I’m too old to start such a project – and God, You know how bad my back is! Isn’t there someone else?

Essentially, our question would be, “Can I really trust you to provide all that is needed for so great a task?”

But Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him. AND – Noah was 600 years old when the floodwaters were on the earth (Genesis 7:5-6).

Lord God, You’ve never asked me to build an ark, a row boat, or even a raft. You’ve never asked me to gather animals from all over the earth. In fact, you haven’t asked me to do anything that you haven’t equipped me to do. You’ve put me in a place where I can share you every day with hurting women and you provide all that I need to do that. Thank you for the privilege of being your child and doing your will. Help me to daily - joyfully - give my life to You for whatever You ask. I trust you, Father.

Lord, I offer my life to You – everything I’ve been through.
Use it for Your glory -
Lord, I offer my days to You – all of my praise to You.
As a living sacrifice –
Lord, I offer You my life.

- Vicki Bollman, Women’s Counselor

God's abundance

“God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory”

We here at the Water Street Rescue Mission Foodservice Department get to see much of the first hand provision of God almost every week. So much so that it is easy to take for granted and not give him the glory he deserves. Ninety percent of the food that we use to serve the 400-450 meals per day to men, women and children is donated. That food comes from local businesses, organizations, and many individuals. Some of those are weekly donations, but also there are those that just give one time. Every donation we consider a gift from God.

Often we are surprised by God’s timing of donations. Last week we marveled at a couple of such instances. On Friday morning, I told one of the gentlemen that is in the program here that it would be nice to get some bananas in so we could make some banana bread. Three hours later in came 3 cases of bananas.

Also the chef (George Eckman) and I were discussing how we could make our large abundance of potato salad available to people in need in our community. Our concerns were with the size of packaging and sanitation of the product. Well, with the same shipment of bananas, we received 28 cases of small one pound packages of potato salad. EXACTLY WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

There have been so many instances like this here in the time I have been here that it would take pages to describe all of them. We are so blessed in this area and we believe that the more we give, the more God will supply.

“For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.” Isaiah 64:3

Thank you and remember He Loves you.

- Steve Hackman, Food Service Manager

Changes

It’s been a busy start to the school year. Many transitions: new families, new children, new staff. But in spite of the busyness, this is one of my favorite times of the year. Brilliant yellows, golds, reds, oranges, and browns abound as the leaves shed their summer colors for autumn’s beauty. The crispness in the early morning air reminds us that summer is rapidly fleeting and the winter chills will soon be upon us. The smell of wood smoke in the air and the aroma of apple, pumpkin, cinnamon and ginger will forever linger in my mind as “fall” fragrances. All these things remind me of God’s faithfulness. Because He is faithful, I expect these changes to take place each fall. Just as assuredly I know that after the long, cold winter, spring will arrive bursting with new life and the promise of these cycles repeating themselves.

Just as the seasons change, so do the people that surround us. And no where, it seems, is that more evident than in the lives of young children. As parents we witness the physical growth that takes place ever so dramatically when we put away the shorts and bring out the long pants. Invariably, the pants that were still a little long in the spring are suddenly inches too short!

As early childhood educators, it is even more exciting to see other kinds of changes and growth taking place in the preschoolers we see each day. The child who started with us the first of September, not even recognizing his own name, now not only recognizes his name but also knows all the letters in his name! Two kids happily sharing the blocks in the block corner, the children choosing to “read” the children’s Bible during free choice reading; the child who no longer cries when mommy leaves her at the door and the kindergartener putting letters together to sound out words are all signs of growth and change.

God has a plan for nature and the seasons and God has a plan for each individual. Sometimes the plan involves change that is simple and barely noticeable, but at other times the changes are lengthy and painful. Through the changes in our lives, it is helpful to remember that God is in control of our lives just as He is in control of the changing seasons. He is faithful and will see us through any change!

-Lorraine Brandt, Wonder Club School

Simple words of life

I had a hard week last week. I wasn’t sure why though. All I could see from my vantage point was a gruffness coming out with increasing frequency and a scrunching tightness in my forehead. I was beginning to be more concerned for tasks than hearts and survival than service.

On Wednesday of last week, I had my weekly meeting with my boss (such an ugly word that hardly conveys any sense of my love and respect for Steve). In that meeting he picked up quickly that something was draining my spirit. After a few minutes of needed business He called the meeting off and, sort of, sent me home at 2:00 in the afternoon.

I gladly went home, dropped into bed and fell fast asleep for the next two hours. Though it was a deep and needed rest I awoke feeling anxious. I went to bed early that night and slept poorly. When morning came, the first thought I recall was about the possibility of rearranging my responsibilities so I could take the day off. I didn’t do it, but I wanted to.

My first meeting of the day was at 8:00 A.M. and was one I usually look forward to, with a person who seems eager to grow right now. As we began to engage in weighty matters my heart seemed distant and unsettled. Something still wasn’t right.

At about 8:30, half-way through my meeting, Steve (the boss) called over the intercom, “Hey Mr. Aaron,” I responded, “Hey Steve!” He asked, “I wonder if I could pop over quickly?” I could feel my spirit brighten at his request. “Sure!” I said, “Come on over.”

Steve arrived and my appointment left. As Steve and I sat looking at each other he asked, “How are you doing?” I don’t recall what I said, but it informed him that I was still not 100%.

As Steve went fishing in my soul, we eventually came to a point where I was trying to share with him some admiration I had felt toward him a few days before. –It had taken place in another meeting where I had invited those present to imagine what it must have been like being one of the Amish girls, lined up against the chalkboard as the gunman came down the line shooting. Even before I was finished speaking, I saw Steve’s face grimace and his eyes fill with water. I was drawn to him because of his tender display— that’s what I was trying to remind him of this morning.

I didn’t get very far in recounting the experience when my own imagination saw the girls; something exploded inside of me and suddenly it came gushing out. For the next few minutes I felt a swirl of refreshing embarrassing relief and clarity as I cried.

Steve saw that things were not ‘ok’ in me. He pursued me and spoke life into me by asking –simply, “How are you doing?”

Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

Coincidences?

God never ceases to amaze me.

The other week I received a phone call from a friend of the Mission who shared that they felt as if God was asking them to donate their apartment building to the Rescue Mission. Would we have a use for it? They suggested that perhaps we could use it as transitional housing for men who are leaving the Mission, but need a place to stay that still offered a measure of support and accountability. They even offered that if we didn’t have a use for the house, we could sell it and use the proceeds.

I was blessed by their generosity…but I was even more blessed by their sense of confidence that they had heard the Holy Spirit and were responding. As I discussed this gift with our Leadership Team I discovered that the director of our Men’s Ministry had been praying for several months that God would provide a transitional house for the men graduating from our Christian Life Development Program. A coincidence? I think not!!!! What an amazing God we serve! I am so blessed by both God’s activity in answering prayer….and by a friend who knew how to listen to God and respond to meet this important need.

Wait…the story continues. A few months ago the director of another ministry that runs a transitional house for men coming out of prison had told me in passing that he believed God was preparing them to expand their ministry. They do a great job helping the men in their transition house…and I don’t like to recreate something that somebody else can do better…..so I called them up and inquired – would they be interested in partnering with us to run a transition house for men coming out of homelessness? Amazingly enough, just two day’s earlier they had completed some changes in their ministry and decided that now they were ready should God bring them opportunities to expand. Coincidence? I think not!!!! What an amazing God we serve!

We don’t know what it will look like yet, but with all that God has done so far…I am expecting that God will give us the practical wisdom needed to form a partnership that will provide transitional housing to many men in the years ahead.

- Jere Shertzer, President WSRM

Meet Hal

Name: Hal Skloff

When did you start volunteering? About 3 years ago. My wife, Esse, also started volunteering at the same time. She does a lot of the paper work for the Food Services Department.

How often do you volunteer? At least once a week. Once in a while I come in twice a week.

What are your volunteer responsibilities? I am a retired pharmacist. I am able to use those skills that I had in my career to be of service here in the clinic. I sort and catalog the donated medications that the clinic receives.

What led you to volunteer at WSRM? I wanted to help people. I also wanted to work in a “worth-while” organization. Working at the Water Street Rescue Mission Clinic gave me that opportunity.

Have you ever volunteered before (at other places)? Yes! I actually still volunteer at the Health Campus. I work in the humor library there. I wear a crazy hat and take a cart of books around to people’s rooms, hoping to get them to laugh and to get their minds off their troubles. It is also a very rewarding experience.

What has been your favorite experience volunteering at WSRM? Why do you keep coming back? I like the people that I work with—we have a lot of fun together. I also enjoy being able to continue to use my pharmacist skills. And it is very rewarding to see people being helped—and being a part of it.

What have you learned? Since I’ve been here I’ve learned that there is a very real need for the Mission and for the clinic. I’ve also learned just how much volunteers are needed!

What would you say to others who may want to volunteer? If you are looking for a very fulfilling experience, this is a great place to be! I would encourage anyone and everyone to come try it out!

I remember Rampy

Recently I read an article in the Sunday News about Marta Estrata and her book "To the Mafia With Love". She is a native of South America who was touched by the power of God. Now, as the Director of the Lancaster branch of New Life for Girls, she helps young women break free from the bondage of sin through the power of Jesus Christ. She is often seen in the halls of Water Street Rescue Mission.

That stirred my memory banks to when I was a teenager, living in Philadelphia. Our church would go down to a center city mission once a month and provide special music and a message for an evening service. Even though I did not see any obvious fruit at that time, I was very aware that miracles do happen.

Through my church, I was acquainted with a man named Bob Rampy. I learned that he was saved in a mission and his life was so transformed that he eventually became the head of the Water Street Rescue Mission here in Lancaster. God ultimately called him to the mission field, with his wife Marcella, in South America.

Could there be any correlation between Bob and Marta's stories? I don't know, but I do know that God is still in the business of changing lives!!!

-Arlene Snyder, volunteer RN in the Medical Clinic