Now showing at the Prince St Cafe

Have you ever searched to fill an aching void? To understand the meaning of life? To grasp your purpose? If you have, you’re not alone. Many people have spent their whole lives without answers to these questions. Some have driven themselves nearly insane while pursuing, or avoiding, these answers.

Recently, ten men devoted over one year of their lives to address these issues. For each of them, what started out as an “average” dose of doubt, anger or fear in their daily lives grew, through the decades, into a spiral of despair. In the middle of their despair and brokenness, they became homeless. It was through the recovery program at Water Street Rescue Mission that these 10 men began their journey to healing. They had the opportunity to create two pieces, one written and one visual, inspired by a message that has been life-changing during their journey at Water Street Rescue Mission.

Just as there’s more to your city than its buildings, there’s more to your shelter than a soup kitchen…

Football and Turkey

Things have been very busy at WSRM the last few weeks: The Great Thanksgiving Banquet, our Thanksgiving food box distribution (over 1000 families served in our community), the cold weather overflow shelter opening, and all our regular programs continuing to operate at or near capacity.


Thankfully, the staff and clients found time for a great Thanksgiving tradition... flag football in the snow. Perfect snowy weather, tons of fun, and no injuries... who could ask for anything more?

(Take note of Joel Henry stretching high for a touchdown grab and David P. Miller trying to impress a certain executive assistant with a dramatic leaping touchdown catch of his own.)

Special Thanks to Carrie Keagy for the excellent photos!

New Wonder Club classroom opens!

Earlier this fall we opened a brand new Wonder Club classroom right here on South Prince Street. The classroom is located in the same building as the Women's Shelter and the new Family Shelter. It is specifically designed to serve children living in the Mission. Please pray for our new teacher, Carmen Garber, as she leads this important new classroom.

Blue Ridge Cable channel 11 was here recently to visit the site... watch the video...

"Working" in Youth Ministry or "Living" Youth Ministry?

In this world work is a daily routine. Get up, brush teen, get dressed, go to work, do the work, and come home. Except, for a youth worker, work doesn’t work that way. Sometimes that sounds good. Sometimes I want a regular 9 to 5 shift and sometimes I would rather talk to my dog than talk on my cell phone.

So why do I come to work every day?

Sheena came to Teen Haven Camp on August 4th confessing to believe in the devil because all she’s been exposed to was evil, but not in God. She’d been physically, mentally and sexually abused. Though, at first sight, she appeared to be sweet on the outside, inside she was a time bomb on its last tick full of anger and rage. Her belief system was a challenge for all of us. The big question in our minds was, “What would Jesus do?” As counselors, we talked about what the best ways to minister to her would be, we prayed for her, but the best thing was to let God be God and trust that He would reveal Himself.

After a week full of tears, frustration, and doubt Sheena came knocking at my cabin on Thursday night. She came in and asked if I was busy. The following conversation was one of the most amazing ones I’ve ever had. She began by saying, “I think I know what my purpose is. I think God wants to use me to bring my family back together.” My jaw wanted to drop to the floor! Not long after, she made her official confession of faith and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior!!!

This youth worker business isn’t really an option for me. Jesus doesn’t clock in at 9 and clock out at 5 so He is the reason that I come to work. The fruit of my labor is Sheena. So how does being a youth worker work? It works when it isn’t called work. It works when it’s called life.

-Nina Maldonado, Teen Haven

Feeling exposed

Sometimes a student’s time in the Learning Center does more than just address academic needs. It affects the heart as well. Here is a letter from one of our Learning Center Students.

“While working on my Phase Petition (an application to move to the next level of the program), I was inspired when I discovered some information about the Learning Center.

Up until this point in my time here, I didn’t believe that there was a time I was caught so naked until then. The Learning Center format is set so that you can't just cruise through under the radar. The Learning Center format is designed to strip away all our masks and hiding places. My own resistance to the Learning Center was not because I was afraid of learning. It was because I was afraid of admitting that I didn’t know or was having trouble grasping the simple basics of education.

The Learning Center is designed to expose people like myself. In there, I wasn’t the coolest or the smartest or toughest. I was forced to expose these discoveries to volunteers half my age. Not being the smartest guy in the world is something I already knew. But showing everybody else that I wasn’t was one of the most difficult things I’ve done.

I am a man who wears many hats, several masks and, at times, both. But I couldn’t fool the Learning Center system. And, I found out that despite my flaws, the Learning Center loved me…warts and all!"

What God is teaching our staff...

God has taught me more patience through my role as a chaplain. I have been reminded that as we ask our clients to grow in areas of life, such as patience, how much more important it is to model it.

-Jon Shacklett, Men's Ministry

Water Street has taught me that patience is not an option, and by the work of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God I'm learning this virtue.

-Bill Lewis, Operations

Changes in the lives of men become more evident with longer stays here at the Mission. This is parallel to situations in my life where the longer the "stay," the longer the relationship with someone, the deeper the lessons.

-Steve Gentino, Business Office

Learning from one another

Sometimes the men and women who spend time with us here at WSRM learn more from each other than from any of us on staff:

“Gary” arrived for his first day back at the Learning Center in a bad mood. Sue was especially nervous to have Gary in class because of some previous encounters that did not turn out so well.

As he sat down, Sue cautiously approached him and began to help him with his classwork. She could tell right away that Gary was not going to cooperate today. As she started to engage him over some wrong answers on his math paper he immediately became defensive. His voice got louder and his arguments became more and more hostile. He was on the verge of completely exploding when Sue asked him to step outside the classroom to take a break.

Sue did not think she would see him again that day, but to Sue’s surprise, about thirty minutes later Gary was back in his seat, working on his math. Sue’s surprise was even greater when he apologized for his behavior and asked for her forgiveness. For the rest of the day, Gary was cooperative and even a pleasure to work with.

Later, we learned that Gary’s thirty minutes outside the learning center were not spent in isolation. He had wandered into the library just down the hall. There he ran into “John”. John was a Learning Center graduate. Gary opened up to John about his frustrations in the Learning Center. As it turns out, John, too, had his struggles in the classroom. He spent many hours working through obstacles and addressing the emotions that were dredged up. Ultimately though, he had gained insights about himself from his days in the classroom. He had come to the realization that even though academics are taught in the Learning Center, the lessons that are learned can affect a person on a deeper level.

God used John to give Gary a whole new perspective about the Learning Center classroom.

-David P. Miller, Learning and Career Center

Sharing some hope...

We had a neat volunteer group from Hope International this morning that blessed us and our neighborhood in a major way. They cleaned up the local streets and brought back 250 lbs of litter.

It is really uplifting to see another ministry come to serve us, clean up trash, thank us for the opportunity to serve and then pray a blessing on our ministry as they leave.

Just wanted to share that as a highlight for the day.

-Dean Wenger, RDC

Mmmm... Steak

Last winter Molly Breitenfeld came to visit the Lydia Center. She spoke to us about Spark Ministry and how she planned to bring a group of ladies from the Texas based ministry to lead a retreat for everyone here at the Lydia Center.

Molly toured our beautiful facility and got more excited by the minute. She is a creative personality and she wove together all manner of dreams for our April time together. We spoke a great deal about food, of course. What is a women’s retreat without food? Molly promised a Texas style BBQ with steak for everyone, and an outdoor picnic with burgers cooked on our very used but still operational grills.

Months of planning and preparation brought the much anticipated event closer. Then in mid March we had a wind storm that blew heavy across Grace Plateau. Shingles blew off the cottage roofs and siding was pulled off several buildings. Our grills were blown off the loading dock and fell in ruin to the gravel (three feet) below.

It didn’t take our faithful maintenance crew long to repair the buildings but they could do nothing to repair our grills. I called the redistribution department and asked for a grill or two, but there were none available. Staff and residents together began to pray for the grills to be replaced in time for the Spark retreat which was fast approaching. The future looked bleak for our steak BBQ.

On April 3rd, just 8 days before the arrival of our Texas Gals, I was earnestly praying at my desk. When I opened my eyes I caught sight of a note taped to my desk reminding me to call a friend of the LYC. The note was months old but I heard God saying “Make the call.” I dialed the number intending to check in with this dear one and her husband. The automated message asked me to leave a message. I greeted the couple and then asked them if they could please keep their eyes open for a couple of used grills. I know that they have many contacts and I proposed that someone might be purchasing a new one for themselves and would want to donate their used one to the center. I ended the call with a hope that they would visit us here sometime soon.

We played ‘phone tag’ for the next 2 days. On Saturday morning I happened to drop by the center to get something from my office. My phone rang and although I wanted to ignore it I wondered who could be calling me at work on a Saturday morning. When I answered the call I was surprised to hear my friend saying that they were at Lowes picking up a grill and would like to deliver it that morning. We made the necessary arrangements for delivery.

Monday morning I was surprised to find not one but two very nice new grills waiting for me. It didn’t take long to spread the word of how tremendously God had answered our prayers, and He did so just 4 days before our retreat. An added blessing was a delivery of fresh meats organized by Spark Ministry, which we have enjoyed cooking on our new grills. With every juicy bite we are reminded of how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. And we are thankful for those who respond when God calls them into service.

-Paula Sentgeorge, Lydia Center

Making an impact

When his phone rang, York Teen Haven Field Director Alex Mikusow answered and was surprised to hear form a young man who had formerly been involved in Teen Haven but had since moved out of town. As the two spoke, Alex’s doorbell rang…but wanting to give his full attention to the young man on the phone, he ignored it. When the doorbell continued ringing, he excused himself from the call to answer it. Astonished, he saw the same young man from the phone call, along with his three brothers, at the door!

Over fruit snacks and Gatorade, the four spent time catching up. Each testified to how important Teen Haven had been in their lives, even though they hadn’t admitted it when they were younger! Just as the visit became more lively with indoor basketball, foosball, and the like, two more former Teen Haven young men arrived at the door. The first guests had invited them!

It was such a blessing to hear that the boys had become responsible, upright, young men – one a welder, another finishing high school, one in the field of education, two taking college classes, and one considering marriage in the near future. Most are still active in church-related activities.

When we sow seeds of faith, we never know what they are going to produce. We simply need to remain faithful, continuing to cultivate, water and nourish this crop of young people. Thank you for your dedicated role in that process!

Overheard on campus...

Some resident comments[1] recently overheard that made me think …

From Michael (who is currently living in transitional housing): “Steve, isn’t it really great being able to have a private bathroom? I haven’t had a private bathroom in twenty years! Isn’t God good?”

From 40-something Hazel (who is parading around on the campus with a children’s baby doll): “Mr. Steve, I know I’m acting silly but I don’t care. I didn’t have a childhood and I kind of like being able to play with this doll and make other people laugh when they hear me speak through her!”

From Natalie (who accepted Christ into her heart while in the Women’s Shelter and is now at the Lydia Center): “I’m so glad I can read again! I read a lot when I was a child but literally could not comprehend words during the years I used drugs. When I accepted Christ into my heart I don’t know what happened but suddenly I could read again. I am reading voraciously now. It is so cool to be able to read again!”

-Submitted by Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries
[1] These are not their real names!

More staff thoughts...

Why I like working here:

It's a joy to work here at WSRM because everyone appreciates each other and to know that I am a part of God's mission here, even though a small part. I see God's kingdom here. Praise be Jesus!
-Bill Killian, IT

Seeing women reach their goals - school/work/their own place - and stay sober. And to see their excitement.
- Elaine Hostetter, Women's Ministry

Every new day the Lord continues to reveal Himself, His provisions and His ways. When there is a need for the camp it is great to see how and through what means the Lord will provide. He is always faithful! For example: we needed hamburger and so we prayed that the Lord would provide. The day we got it our freezer broke down as well, but within an hour He met that need as well and we had a new freezer full of fresh hamburger!
-Gina Frey, Teen Haven Camp

What has God taught me recently:

Matt 8:28 - the value of one person is worth more than the economy of a town.
- Jason Breckbill, IT

Staff thoughts...

More thoughts from staff on why they love to work here...

It's a chance to serve God and people. There is so much to do, you never finish doing God's work.
-Stan Peoples, Operations

I'm honored to be part of a ministry that shares the Love of God in a practical way.
- Ann Deschler, Teen Haven

It's rewarding to know I'm in God's will. Whether or not I may see the rewards isn't important. It's exciting to see the improvemnet in our residents and humbling to be involved.
-Lori Shirkey, Residential Ministries

And what God is teaching them...

In serving, you have to be open to change. We never know what God has for you to do next.
-Stan

God has taught me to be encouraging and helpful to my co-workers. God has reminded me that our contributors are being blessed by God for their gifts to our ministry and that gifts/mail are blessings, not extra work.
-Ann

Couple of quotes...

Thought I'd post a couple of quotes and see if I could provoke some thoughtful responses or at least get you thinking.

The first is one I only recently encountered and it has made me think a lot about our relationship with clients, kids, our community, donors... and also my own motives for service:

“If you are coming to help me, you are wasting your time. If you are coming because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us struggle together.”
- Aboriginal Activist Group, Queensland, 1970's

The second one is a long-time favorite of mine that I first heard from John Perkins, a favorite author, speaker, CCDA guru, and one-time houseguest of mine on South Christian Street.

"Go to the people
Live among them
Learn from them
Love them
Start with what they know
Build on what they have:
But of the best leaders
When their task is done
The people will remark 'We have done it ourselves.'"
-Lao Tsu (various attributions, sometimes simply referred to as a Chinese proverb)

Pondering these quotes, I wonder... does my role and work here at Teen Haven and WSRM reflect what is expressed in these quotes? Should they?

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

Leaving the outcome to God...

Not every client story has a happy ending. But I've come to watch and wonder about the ways in which God uses the Mission to prepare the ground in those clients who aren't yet ready to receive the life change Christ offers.

I think about one client who was with us for a month in the shelter. Some of her life goals - education, a career - were good goals, God-given. But the way she went about trying to acheive those goals involved manipulation and avoidance. For one whole month I watched staff continually work to help this client recognize that her life was unmanageable and that her way of relating to people involved using them.

Eventually, she left... and honestly we can't say that we saw much "progress." But at the same time, we cannot say that she left without hearing truth spoken in love. We have to leave the long-term outcome to God.

-Daral Boles, Women's Ministry

Filling the emptiness

When I got here to Water Street Rescue Mission August 1, 2007, I was physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. I was looking for a way out of the hell that my life was in because of alcohol and drugs.

Most of my life I was searching for something to fill the emptiness that I’ve always felt inside. It appeared that drugs filled that hole for a while, and then I began to experience the ugly side of addiction that robbed me of everything, including my self-respect and self-worth. It was through being here at Water Street Rescue Mission that I had the opportunity to seek a relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

With the help and encouragement of the counselors here, especially Carissa who I have grown to love, I began to reach out and ask God for help. I wanted to change my life for the better, and I knew from past experience that I couldn’t do it by myself. Each day I began to spend time with God through prayer, meditation and reading the Word of God. Participating in devotions [in the shelter] every morning helped me to learn how to set aside some time each day to spend with God. It was in God’s word that I learned no matter what I’ve done or how messed up my life is, Jesus loves me. With His blood, He paid “the full price” for my sins – past, present and future. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Jesus is my peace in the midst of any storm.

I met with my counselor [at Water Street Rescue Mission] once a week. She helped me set goals for myself according to my needs. With the 8 months that I spent at the Water Street Rescue Mission, I successfully completed 6 months of intensive out-patient drug and alcohol treatment, I became an active member of Narcotics Anonymous (NA), I joined a Bible-teaching church – Brightside, I’m working with Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) to pursue an Associate’s degree at HACC in Allied Human Services, and on April 1, 2008, God blessed me with a beautiful one bedroom apartment.

Although the time came for me to move on [from Water Street Rescue Mission], I stay connected to the Mission by volunteering at the food distribution center and participating in the Women’s Alumni Group every other Tuesday of the month.

I know that God is not finished with me yet. I’m looking forward to Him using me in a mighty way.

-Marlo, former resident

A Father's Journey

(The following article can also be found in the most recent Water Street Messenger)

By Wendy Capoferri, volunteer

Russell Mumma does not sugar coat his life choices. He shares, “I was a lousy father to my daughter. I was not around for birthdays or anything. Holidays were all about me, me, me. They were just another day to get high.”

Until two years ago, Russell hardly remembers a time when drugs and alcohol were not the focus of his life. Married at age 19, he was already an addict. When his marriage ended five years later, he continued to live a destructive life until he hit rock bottom at the age of 48. Suicidal, addicted to heroin and homeless, Russell ended up in a local hospital. Upon his release, he came to Water Street Rescue Mission and enrolled in the long-term recovery program.

“No one would have wanted to be around me two years ago,” states Russell. However, change did not happen overnight. “God is working on me daily. I see things happening in my life that can only be the work of God. They can’t be me,” he says.

Currently working on earning his GED, Russell recently became a Men’s Ministry Intern. Love and kindness are two feelings Russell prays will grow and develop as he strives to be a positive influence to others. “Being around Christians here at Water Street makes me see how good it feels to help others. It feels so much better to give than to take,” he says.

As for Russell’s daughter, who is now 30 and has a 9-year-old daughter, she has given her father a wonderful gift – forgiveness. Russell recently attended his daughter’s wedding. He shares, “I rejected my daughter, her mother and the rest of the family for 25 years. They were happy to see me and so glad I became a Christian. They welcomed me with open arms. I even got a hug from my granddaughter. I will never forget that.”

Although his daughter now lives out of state, Russell talks to her as often as he can. This Father’s Day, he would rather think of others than himself. Russell explains, “I’m thankful my daughter had a good mother and step-father. I am proud of my daughter and I’m glad she forgives me. I can hear it in her voice, read it in her letters and thankfully, I saw it on her wedding day.”

More Wonder Club thoughts...

I'm excited to get up and come to work because of... smiling children's faces, hugs...

A unique story:

Recently a parent came in to drop off her child and said that she was thankful for Wonder Club. She remarked that she sees the impact we are having on her child, and especially notices the good manners her child is learning and how much that stands out compared with other children.

- Nicole Imhof, Wonder Club Teacher

Why I'm excited to come to work in the morning:

Watching the smiles and enthusiasm of the 4 and 5 year olds as they bounce in each morning with lots of energy and enthusiasm for learning.

- Lorraine Brandt, Wonder Club Director

Wonder Club school-year ends...

As the school year comes to a close, a few notes from Wonder Club staff...

What I look forward to every morning is worship time with my students. No matter how bad I feel, when it comes to worship I feel refreshed. I love hearing the children sing to the Lord... I love to see God touch their hearts as they sing.

-Nikki Norton, Wonder Club Teacher

What excites me about coming to work in the morning? Change... or should I say watching God work in my life and the children and their parents. In Wonder Club I am excited to say about 4 or 5 childrenhave asked Jesus into their lives. Watching them change as they say and do many things they would not have said or done before. Hearing comments from parents saying that they too see a change in their son or daughter.

-Karen Smith, Wonder Club Assistant Teacher

Keeping my word to a father in Heaven...

It was three years ago. Daniel Rhodan (a teen intern) visited the hospital with a minor injury and I was able to chat with his dad. As we ended our conversation he commented, “Thank you for taking care of and loving my kids. Keep an eye on them for me.”

Three months later Daniel's dad died of a heart attack. He left behind a wife, three boys and two girls (ages 6-15). Daniel (15) took on the responsibility of being the head of the household. The adjustment was extremely difficult and painful, and in the midst of that a minor conflict over Daniel's role in our programs become a significant breakdown. Although we maintained some contact with the family, we did not really see them for about three years.

Two months ago we reconnected. The family expressed a desire to reconnect with Teen Haven, and Daniel (19) and James (17) returned to serve (initially as volunteers and eventually as interns) and brought their brother Joel (11) as a camper. Last month Jasmine (15) returned also to serve as volunteer junior counselor.

A couple of Sundays ago, just as the bus was to leave, a young lady (9 yrs old) came seeking my help. She wanted me to retrieve her pink sweater, lying in the middle of the baseball field. I told her to get in the golf cart and we went for a ride she would not forget. As we bounced and made our way, she laughed and giggled. She scooped up her sweater and we headed back to the bus. As we scurried. I asked her name; she smiled and said, “Diamond”. I kidded her about her name and she smiled and boldly said, "My name is Diamond Rhodan." and from that moment on our conversation centered on the wonderful memories of her daddy and what he meant to both of us.

As the bus left, I sensed heaven open a window and a smile on a daddy’s face.

Keeping my word to a father in heaven.
And a special reminder from our heavenly Father.

Thank you Lord.

-Vinny Mikusow, Teen Haven Camp

More reasons to get up with a smile...

I am excited about getting up in the morning and coming to work so that I can see what God has for me to do with and for the clients, and to hear what He has done in their life. I'm excited because I know that God is working in this place.

I know that God will transform lives and every day is a blessing.

- Mardester Thomas, Women's Ministries

I love the women... I want them to know they are loved. It is fun to get to know them, what their struggles are, and see them find hope for their future. It's rewarding to celebrate with them and to listen when they are upset. To be someone who cares when sometimes they have no one.

- Carissa Impink, Women's Ministries

Getting up early (with a smile?)

Why am I excited to get up and come to work at WSRM in the morning?

I enjoy getting up and seeing my co-workers and "the guys." I also like being on the road and seeing the donors who support Water Street.

- Dave Miller, Truck Driver

As much as I dislike getting up early in the morning, I am always eager to come to work here. God is actively using our staff to reach women and children in many ways, and it's exciting to be engaged in His work.

-Vicki Bollman, Women's Ministries

Common ground...

At Water Street Rescue Mission, the men’s long term program has a morning chapel each day of the week. This is a great way to minister to the guys and get the day off to a good start. On one particular morning, we had arranged for a high school hand bell choir to come play for 30 minutes. It seemed like an odd fit – a group of young students from a private school playing hand bells for a group of homeless men. (I began wondering what I had been thinking when I scheduled this group to come!) It only took minutes into their playing for us to realize that God had orchestrated the hand bell choir to be at Water Street that morning.

The songs they played ministered to the men’s hearts. One song represented a storm with a calm at the end. Many of our men have weathered very difficult and complex storms – storms that are finally subsiding as they allow the peace of God to reign in their hearts.

The students also shared testimonies. One girl shared how she had spent most of her young life working hard to gain her father’s approval. She talked of how she began to relate this to her relationship with God – feeling that, like with her own father, she may never gain His approval either. She talked of how she had truly embraced God’s grace and began to see His love and acceptance for her. Many heads in the audience nodded with understanding of how she felt.

At the end of the chapel, one man came forward and clasped the hands of the director. He began to pray with her. She and the group had touched his heart.

The body of Christ has no boundaries. The two very different groups of people had reached a common ground in Christ. The differences in outward appearance were stripped away and only inward souls were left.

We are all alike on the inside – whether we’re homeless or attending a private school. We each have longings, dreams, and emptiness that only He can fill.

Thank-you Lord Jesus that you come in to our lives regardless of our background, our choices, our circumstances. You see our hearts and you meet all our needs. Thank-you for working in us. Fill the voids and heal the hurts in each of us today. Amen.

- Cheryl Wahlberg, Volunteer Coordinator

What is that?

Our Camp Director just sent me this note from our boys weekend at camp. My first thought was how dramatic and extreme a change (from no knowledge of the bible to child of God in one weekend), but then again aren't all salvations just as dramatic and "extreme." You and I were both once lost and now found.

Thanks for sharing this Vinny.

Marcus (14) - First timer to camp from Philadelphia.

Friday night during cabin devotions, Marcus stopped the supervisor and asked, "What is that?"

He was referring to the bible that the counselor was reading and talking about. After some discussion, Marcus shared that he never saw, touched or read one.

Saturday morning during chapel, the Bible he never read was the Lord's instrument in saving his soul.

Marcus's entire demeanor changed. He would not separate himself from the Bible he discovered.
As he was presented the Christ-like camper award for the weekend, his cabin supervisor was lost for words as he joyfully expressed and described the transformation of Marcus.

We all rejoice together!

-Vinny Mikusow, Teen Haven Camp

Some Anonymous staff thoughts...

A few of the staff who wrote down some thoughts for this forum at our last staff meeting forgot to sign their names. Their thoughts are still worth sharing...

• God has taught me: Not to get too high or too low... to remain humble

• God has taught me: How to see people. My eyes see the outside of people, their physical condition. When I see through God's eyes, I can see their spiritual condition, their soul condition and ask the Lord how to meet that need. See the inner condition, that's what God has taught me and is still teaching me.

• Thoughts: I have been amazed at how many deaths have been close to home recently...

• Why I'm excited to wake up for work: I don't know if I am exactly excited to get up in the morning, but what I like about working here is the relationships with my co-workers, the mutual love and support, the laughter and yes, even the tears.

Waiting for Pop

What follows is a comment about my relationship with Pop, a gentleman I knew for over twenty years and one who frequented the meal and community services program here at Water Street. Pop came to mind recently as I thought about the tremendous task the homeless men and women here at the mission face as they try to find a church home. They very desperately need to be embraced and engaged to become part of the fabric of the local church. Often this transition for them and the local church is difficult.

Pop’s abuse of alcohol was lifelong beginning sometime in the Army during the Korean War and continuing for over 30 years. His yellowish skin was creased and weather-worn, the result of too many days and nights spent on the street and in makeshift lodging. One winter Pop had constructed a Styrofoam dwelling in the middle of a local junkyard; the next he lived in an abandoned school bus modified with pieces of cardboard and scrap metal. He was a man of great independence and resourcefulness yet I was very concerned about his health as his liver continued to deteriorate. So it was truly a grand and unexpected event when Pop finally agreed to allow me to transport him to the local veterans’ hospital.

And at the end of the twenty-eight day rehab he looked great the benefit of a regular diet, sleep and medication. His skin glowed again and the prognosis for his future was brighter than ever. And as I thought about his transition back into the neighborhood, I asked him a question. ‘Pop how about you and me going to church when you are done here? I’ll be with you and you’ll be able to make some new, non-drinking friends. It will be a great way of continuing the life you started here - one without alcohol.’ Pop hesitated then looked at me a bit quizzically before saying this, ‘That sounds really good, Stevie but I couldn’t do that, I couldn’t go to church, I don’t have a suit!’

It’s been several years since Pop passed away of liver disease. He never did make it to church. I miss him and he is on my mind a lot. I keep wondering what it would have been like if Pop had come to church. Would he feel welcomed in his frayed and holey jeans and shoes? Would anyone look past the disheveled beard, the unkempt hair, the clothing that reeked of sweat and alcohol? Would anyone intentionally sit by his side, look him in the eyes, listen intently to his story, and invite him home for Sunday dinner? Would Pop understand the protocol of church, the language, when to sit or stand, from which book to read or sing? Would the words of the preacher make sense to him? Would the demons that drove him to drink be addressed? Would anyone strive to engage with Pop in a way that conveyed that God loved him as he was and help him see that he could be free from the control of sin and bad choices?

Sadly, I’m not sure there is a seat for Pop in most of our nice, Bible-believing churches as it so often seems that a lot of our activity is pretty self-absorbed. Are we really expecting a guy like Pop to stop by? And realistically, why would Pop want to visit with us on a Sunday anyway – with or without a suit?

I’m not sure how to answer these questions but I do know this: I’m waiting for Pop. I’m going to be ready when he shows up. I’ll be the one next to the empty seat in jeans and sneakers.

- Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries

Caught or taught?

What makes me excited to come to work at WSRM?

I am thrilled each day to come and share life with real people who need someone to love them as they are. It is my joy to hug others and bless them in Jesus' name.

What has God taught me lately in my role at WSRM?

I was totally humbled by a young man's testimony of how our 3 month Overcomers Class impacted him. "Dan" told me the content of the class was cool and important, but even more importantly, he caught the attitude and character of the teacher instead. God allowed me to experience His grace as I learned that much is caught, not taught by servant people.

-Jim Stanton, Men's Ministry

All about Christ's Love

I have tons of paperwork to complete, phone calls to make, grants to write, evaluations to do, never enough time in a day and then to top it off I have patients and other agency staff complaining. About what you may ask, about everything! Not only complaining, but being down right rude and disrespectful. Lord, why am I here and where has the passion gone for the work that we do in the Water Street Clinic? He clearly asks me the question, “Do you love them?”

Instead of blaming others for their rude, legalistic or complaining behavior, the Lord asks me to look at my heart. He has been reminding me that no matter how others may behave, I must love them as He loves them, and not respond to them as they do to me. Wow, very hard! I realize that the only way I can respond to others unkindness with love is through Christ. When I get an email or verbal response which is rude and or legalistic I stop and say Lord, how do You want me to respond? I have found that I don’t get my emotions all tangled up if I give the problems to Him immediately, and I have much more loving responses than I ever thought that I could.

As the Lord has been teaching me how to love like He does He has shown me a few things that I’d like to share with you:

1. Life and ministry is NOT about rules, but about giving to show the other person that they are special in His eyes. Yes, we still must have the paperwork and limits on services so we can serve the many uninsured and in need, but there are many acts of kindness that we can add that will show the individual they are cared about. Unless they plan to commit physical harm to someone we never turn anyone away from the clinic without some guidance or words of encouragement.


2. Listen to others without working on my answer to what they are saying. Really listen and when I speak affirm what they are saying. If I am trying to come up with a response from my perspective, I’m not really hearing them.


3. I must forgive others as Christ has forgiven me. Not just a feeling, but a conscious act to treat them with respect. Jesus was never a door mat but He loved those who hated Him. I will have to forgive others often over and over again.


4. Don’t judge others, that is God’s job. I am to compare myself only to Jesus as my model. As I judge others He will judge me.


5. #1 Love the Lord, #2 Love others – this wraps up how He wants me to live!


6. I cannot do the above; I must BE the above, by letting Jesus live in me! It is never about an act of will, but a change of heart.


7. Let God be God and work His plan in only the miraculous way that He does. I often limit His work by not expecting a miracle. Yes, God still heals today whether the person’s illness is physical, mental or an addiction. The world offers cover ups with medications, procedures and lies, but Jesus offers true freedom.


8. Trust Him when all appears to be going wrong! His ways are not my ways and He sees things differently. Death is true & perfect healing. I trust that He loves me and others more than I can know.


9. Every day I am to devour His word and put it in my heart and let Him teach me His ways.


10. I can live a full life filled with His Joy as my strength here and now!

Lord, may I never live like the Pharisees by only spouting out the rules, but with a heart filled with your love for others that you have placed in my life. Thank you Lord for my family, friends, staff and patients of the clinic!

I love & trust you Lord!

- Gale Thomason, Water Street Clinics

Praises from the Family Shelter

Just before Christmas we opened the door to the Family Shelter. The Family Shelter was developed during our most recent major renovations of the Prince Street campus in response to the changing face of homelessness that we encounter every day. In recent years the population of homeless families has been growing... and by "families" we mean single mothers with children, single fathers with children, and intact families (with both mom and dad).

Prior to the opening of the Family Shelter we were pretty much unable to serve intact families, fathers with young children, and mothers with older boys (above 12 yrs). We would do our best to find ways to accomodate or help, but we were not set up to serve these families.

Daral Boles our Director of Women's and Family Ministries recently passed along some exciting news:

Just wanted to let everyone know we have our first SINGLE FATHER in the family shelter. He has two children with him—a 16-year-old son and 1 ½ year old daughter. Please pray with and for us as we learn how to address the unique problems of this type of family group. We now have all three types present—husband and wife with children, single mom with teenage boys, and single dad with children—for whom this shelter was designed.

Also wanted to let you know that our “first” family, Barbara Gonzalez and her 6 children, will be leaving us on Thursday for a home of their own. Praise God with us!

Daral and Gentine

Fear not...

Frankly, I was scared to death to begin working at Water Street Rescue Mission. I love working with people and meeting needs, but never dreamed that this sheltered, suburban boy would be working in the city with drug addicts and alcoholics.

But I have found that God met me here and enabled me for this ministry, and that I have nothing to fear, for God is with me.

-Craig Hickey, Men's ministry

A gift

My friend Angela and I attended a LCBC women’s retreat in Strasburg this past weekend.

After the conference ended on Sunday, we decided to go someplace to eat lunch since neither of us had eaten breakfast that morning and we were fairly hungry. It was 12:20 and knew that any place we chose along Route 30 would be packed with tourists and those eating out after attending church services. On our drive back to Neffsville, I suggested that we go to Olde Hickory Grill; it has the best Angus burgers! Since Angela had never eaten there, we decided that was the place to eat.

When we got to the restaurant, it was packed and moving from the doorway to the cash register was difficult. After waiting for about a minute, still at the doorway, an elderly woman who was waiting for a table told me to put my name in at the cashier. When our table was available, we sat in a corner booth. I noticed that the woman who previous talked with me was sitting (alone) at the table beside us. I whispered to Angela that maybe we should invite her to join us for lunch, because typically, no one likes to eat alone.

Angela did invite her to join us and the woman said, “You made my day.” She sat beside Angela and she introduced herself. Her name is “Ms. Finny” and she is 85 years old. She had just come from church (Highland Presbyterian) and owns a cottage at one of the local retirement homes. She told us all about her three daughters, their families and that she recently returned from California to attend her grandson’s wedding.

When she saw my sweatshirt had Eastern University on it, she said that she went on a tour to Israel, which was lead by one of the Eastern University professors and told us all about her adventures.

When we were finished with our meals, the waitress came over to our table and said that someone had paid for all of our meals! We were all stunned! We asked her who it was and the waitress said that it was someone who had eaten at the restaurant and saw Angela and I invite Ms. Finny to join us. This anonymous gift was the result of us asking a stranger to eat with us. We had no idea who anonymously paid for our meal, since they had left the restaurant before we had finished our meals.

Ms. Finny said that she was blessed by spending time with us and we assured her that she had also blessed us. Angela and I gave her a hug before we left the restaurant and went our separate ways.

Angela and I had never expected such a gift in Ms. Finny. She is a beautiful woman of God. In addition, knowing that someone noticed our gift of kindness and acted upon it compels me to pass this kindness on to others.

- Jane Keller, HR Director

God has taught me...

What has God taught you recently through your work here at Water Street?

God has taught me that I cannot do all things by myself... that I need help from Him and others in my life.

- John Yuninger, RDC

In my short time here at WSRM, God has taught me patience. He has also shown me how much He cares through giving me the opportunity to work with such an awesome organization.

- Mike Redcay, IT

When a person feels loved and accepted, they are often then willing to step out and take risks. They know that we and God are there with them.

- Elaine Hostetter, Women's Ministries

Tribute to Teen Haven Founder

In December of 2005 William Drury, the founder of Teen Haven went home to be with the Lord. Bill (Mr. D) was man who was passionate about the ministry of Teen Haven and the work of sharing the gospel with inner-city children and teens. We are privileged to carry on the work that God used him to start back in 1963 on the streets of Philadelphia.

Teen Haven now ministers to urban youth through city ministries in Philadelphia, York, and Lancaster and through our camp ministry in Brogue (York County).

- Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

It's not about me!

God has been impressing upon my heart a lesson that I need to be taught again and again - that it is NOT about me! That it was never about me and its never going to be about me.

Sometimes my job as volunteer coordinator is hard and forces me to step out of my comfort zone, do things that annoy me or stress me out. The selfish person in me usually wants to throw in the towel at that point. But if for even a split second I slow down and listen to the small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to me, I hear that He brought me to the Mission not to serve me, make me happy or comfortable, but lo and behold, to serve others and USE ME - the sinner that I am!

I praise Him that He never gives up on us or gets tired of speaking the same message with us again and again. He is long suffering and full of mercy.

-Cheryl Wahlberg, Volunteer Coordinator

Charred stones

What has God taught me lately...

God can use "Charred Stones."

In the book of Nehemiah, one of the enemies, Sanballat mocks Nehemiah and the Israelites saying, "Can they ever use these burnt stones, full of soot and ashes to rebuild the wall of the city?"

The Lord is teaching me that the people I work with (homeless women and families) are like these stones, and I am like these stones also. That through the Lord, these stones can be used. He sees the heart, that it can be restored, healed and made strong, becoming living stones.

I've struggled because many times I only see what is charred... the soot and ashes, the damaged lives and emotions, the lies and addictions, the battered and bruised hearts and lives. And I think that the damage is permanent. But the story of Nehemiah and the Israelites rebuilding the wall using burnt ash covered stones is a powerful one and it restored my vision and hope to see each person as precious and priceless. And to recognize that there is no limit or bounds to what God can and will do!

-Gentine Clark, Women's and Family Ministries

Stories from staff

Last week at our staff meeting, I asked the staff to reflect on a few questions and jot down their thoughts on at least one of them:

1. What makes you excited to come to work in the morning?
2. What has God taught you through your role her at Water Street in the last few months?
3. Share a fun, unique, touching, or trying story from the last month at work.

Thankfully most of them responded. It has been great to read through them all and I'm looking forward to sharing them with you over the next several weeks. I think they will provide a great view into life here at Water Street Rescue Mission.

In a few minutes, I'll post the first one.

- Jack

"I'm glad he died at the mission"

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

Darrell died on our campus a few weeks ago. A resident found him slumped over in a bathroom stall with a used needle on the floor and another half-used still in his hand. We miss him greatly. He was a fixture on this campus for at least a year before leaving the men’s program the prior summer. His recent relapse was devastating and hard to watch unfold.

Community members often ask about the ‘success rate’ of our programs. And I sort of know what the questioners are asking. They want to know how many formerly homeless “are now in a home, are working, aren’t using drugs any longer, have been restored with their families, etc?” And most of the time I am not sure how to answer them in a way that satisfies. You see, I believe Darrell is a ‘success story.’

It was on this campus that Darrell realized he was loved by God and others. It was here that he heard hard truth – about his addiction, about his willingness to embrace lies about himself, about how he allowed fear to trump what God says about true reality. It was here that he grappled mightily with addiction and his position as a child of God. And it was to here that he returned in the middle of a relapse with a bag of heroin and a few needles in his hand.

You won’t read about Darrell in one of our newsletters and his death won’t provide one of our year-end statistics. Yet, his Step-Mother’s statement at the memorial service was most revealing. Though she was devastated by the loss of her step-son, she was able to say this, “I’m glad that Darrell overdosed and died at the mission... in this place where he knew he was loved rather than having to be found dead in a back alley.”

Lord, help me to trust you when life is paradoxical.

- Steve Brubaker, Director of Residential Programs

Peacemakers or peacekeepers?

Anyone who works with youth (urban or otherwise) knows that conflicts can often erupt. The signs and symptoms vary, but one minute things can seem to be going smoothly, and the next minute, kids will be yelling at one another, threatening, or even throwing punches.

A good youth worker becomes adept at seeing the warning signs before things get too hot. A good youth worker also becomes skilled at redirecting teens away from conflict or helping lead them to a healthy resolution before things explode. Keeping the peace is an important aspect of being a good youth worker.

But a great youth worker learns how and when to let things ignite (without getting too far out of control - or putting anyone at risk) so that deeper lessons can be learned and deeper healing can take place. I'm not sure if I or any of my staff are really there, yet. Thankfully, there are times when God allows circumstances to happen that way so that He can do that deeper work.

Nina, who works with our Lancaster girls, shared a story recently from the last girls weekend at camp:

Several girls were attending camp for the first time, and things were not going very smoothly. Lots of conflict and tension. After things flared up once again, Nina and the girls sat down to work things out and talk things through. She noticed that the girls seemed to be paying attention and started to show different attitudes...

Before leaving for home at the end of the weekend, they took some time to pray, and one of the girls who was in the middle of all the conflict offered to pray. After thanking God for the chance to come to camp and get out of the city and to meet new friends, she then went on to thank God "for all the drama we went through this weekend, because it gave me a chance to get things off of my chest and talk about the stuff I would usually just hold inside."

Sometimes God uses conflict to bring us to the place He wants us to be... a place of honesty and realness... so that He can meet us there.

It can be a challenge to allow those moments to take place when so often we are tempted to keep the peace... but I think Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" not "Blessed are the peacekeepers."

Nina, whether it was your preference or not, thanks for being a "peacemaker."

- Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

Leveraging for the Gospel

Certainly, we here at the mission would agree that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is at the heart of our ministry. Ultimately, all that really matters is Jesus and our connection (or lack of connection) to Him.

Still, there are questions of poverty and homelessness screaming at us from all sides that demand that we think carefully about how we choose to leverage our resources while sharing the Gospel. Here are some such questions:
• Will we stop serving someone if we conclude he/she is not responding, or is hostile to the Gospel?
• Are we ‘ok’ helping one out of homelessness and/or poverty who has no interest in Christ?
• Are we here to: 1) share the Gospel (or) 2) help the poor (or) 3) share the Gospel by helping the poor?
• Will we continue to sustain those who are not willing to take on the level of responsibility required to be self-sustaining?

How we answer these questions will determine how we use our resources and establish our system of Rescue.

Personally, I sense a call to serving the homeless/poor out of love for Jesus and a desire to please Him. My “Gospel” focus here in my work is the same as at home in my neighborhood. It motivates and permeates any acts of kindness in a manner that I hope reflects the high value I place on Jesus Christ.

To me, it does not seem Christ-like to leverage my resources to compel a gospel response. Could such a response ever be heart-felt? It seems better that others would see His lavish goodness and desire to come to Him freely than to ‘have to’, begrudgingly, to get sustenance for life.

In Rescue we are fond of saying, “Hope begins with a meal,” but then we make the meal leverage to get an individual to Chapel; we also make the shelter bed leverage to get them to Chapel. We may be fostering compliance and resentment more than love for Jesus.

In the Renewal part of our ministry, I think high expectations and accountability are good. In the Rescue part of our ministry, I think far fewer ‘strings attached’ will be best. In the gap between the two, I envision lovers of Jesus inviting without coercion those who would risk beginning the journey of hope.

Living in the tension, between Rescue and Renewal is not easy. We err repeatedly by getting them mixed in our minds. Mostly though, I think, this happens when we are too concerned about "them" taking advantage of "us."

In the “Good Samaritan" story, the Samaritan told the innkeeper, “Take care of him and when I return I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.” I see this as a huge risk for abuse.

Will we ever entice others with the lavish goodness of Jesus if we will not take the risk of abuse? Is not ‘taking our abuse’ exactly how Jesus convinced us to begin the journey into Him?

Freely given, freely give.

- Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

Under Construction

I have had the opportunity to serve as a member of the Water Street Rescue Mission Team in a variety of roles (during the past seven years) and in June 2007 transitioned into the position of Men’s Ministry Chaplain. Since June 2007, I have encountered many hurting souls that the Lord has brought to our campus. Although each of these ladies and gentlemen has a unique reason for coming to Water Street, the Lord calls us to serve and love them regardless of their past experiences. It is during the intense moments with those whom Jesus calls “The Least of These” in Matthew 25:40 that I have learned and grown the most.

As I reminisce back over the previous five years I spent at Teen Haven, as a youth counselor, I am grateful. It was during this season where I was groomed and prepared for my calling to work with the men at Water Street. Although I loved the young people (who are now getting older) that I ministered to, I (along with others in leadership) believed Men’s Ministry was where God was leading me next. I sensed that this is the purpose which the Lord had truly created (and redeemed) me for—to encourage those who are broken and have been marginalized into the shadows of life. Yes, my heart burns for what the Lord has called me to, but I would be dishonest if I said that it was anything like I had expected it to be.

For the past thirty-seven weeks, my heart has been conflicted with the joy, pain, and confusion that I have experienced here “in the trenches.” There was a time recently when I questioned if this is really what the Lord was leading me to. I had felt ill-equipped, and had become discouraged. Even after seeing (firsthand) the life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit on display, I have also watched people leave who mistakenly thought they “had it.” From that group there have been some who have come back, some who leave after coming back, and even some who have died.

As I reflected on the Lord and met with “the wise people” in my life, I have become re-centered that this is exactly where I am to be. I am reminded by Paul’s writing in 2 Corinthians as he wrote about his dialogue with the Lord,” My grace is sufficient for you; my power is made perfect in weakness” (12:8). I also am beginning to see that this isn’t about me. As I walk “with fear and trembling” through this initial year in Men’s Ministry, I am blessed to do so with the support of my family, mentors, and leadership here at the Mission. I will keep you posted as the construction continues.

-Michael Anthony Kerrigone Jr., Men's Ministry

Partnering to minister more effectively

At Teen Haven, we believe that effective ministry to teens takes more than one individual and it takes more than just one organization. We look for opportunities to partner with local churches and organizations because we recognize the diversity of gifts within the Body of Christ and the value that these diverse gifts bring to effective ministry. Sometimes this parntership looks like Teen Haven providing a facility for a youth group to hold a gym night, or holding leadership training programs for several churches to bring their teens to.

Sometimes it involves Teen Haven bringing some of our kids out to a youth group at a local church to participate in their activities and connect into that local body for growth and fellowship. That is what Alex is doing in York with some of his kids.

Calvary Baptist Church has an excellent youth group and I have truly appreciated them. I often bring a group of kids out to Calvary's youth programs. The preteens attend Calvary clubs and the teenagers attend youth group.

Well in last few weeks my van has been bursting at the seems with young people. The van is full to capacity and I am thankful. This weekend they will be holding a pine box derby and I think I have about 12 young people involved. Also this weekend 2 of my teenagers are going to a camp that they could not afford but the church is paying their way. The excitement of the kids as they return to Calvary is a testimony to the fun they are having, the warm welcome they are receiving, and all that they are learning.

I'm thankful for this part of the body of Christ that chooses to be a cheerful giver and is helping these young men see another part of Christian community.

-Alex Mikusow, Teen Haven, York

New hope in the "Refuge of Healing"

Some days I wonder if what we are doing in the Clinics is making a difference, and then God goes and does this as presentation of His power and Spirit at work!

The Water Street Medical Clinic agreed to be the clinical sight for “The Refuge of Healing” Christian counseling services starting in the spring of 2007. The number of patients from all over the community is growing! Many have come and been helped, with some having very slow progress. The needs some weeks seem overwhelming and we spend much time in prayer before and after each session.

Then last week, God brought in a young couple where she is pregnant with his child and he is caring for her child from a previous relationship. She tells the counselor that he is beating her and he admits that yes he is. That alone is a big step for the abuser to readily admit that he is abusive and that he has such rage that he doesn’t know what to do.

As they told their story and the counselor gave godly insight you could see the anger dissipate and the hurt and heart of the matter came forward. The lack of love in both of their lives was heart breaking and they were living as they knew. The counselor then told them about love that is all consuming, all forgiving and all healing through Jesus Christ. They both knew of Him but didn’t Know Him personally. They both prayed for Christ to forgive them and to help them. They prayed the prayer of believing that Jesus is God’s Son that died for them. Praise God, I could feel heaven celebrating!

God keeps bringing this young couple to mind this week and I know to pray for them for Satan will not be happy that they have given their lives over to Christ. I am praying they remember to pray, reach out to the believers they have set them up with for support, and to return for more counseling on Christ’s healing and strength in their lives. The road with Christ is fraught with danger from the evil one, but we know who wins! They (I) may stumble and fall, but forgiveness and hope is just a prayer away. He loves to pick us up, dust off the dirt of where we have been, and send us on His path. The little one they had with them and the one yet unborn will have hope as their parents learn to live with the hope and strength of Christ for a new life! Lord, break the cycle in people’s lives of pain and hopelessness and use us as your servants to others.

- Gale Thomason, Water Street Clinics

The Gathering Place - reflecting the heart of God

The Gathering Place is a ministry in Lancaster City that works with people who have HIV or AIDS. This year, they are commemorating their 20th anniversary. Water Street Rescue Mission partners with them in meeting the needs of hurting people and is grateful for how God has used them to His glory in such a vital and redemptive way. The following is a letter from honoring their anniversary:

When I think of the Gathering Place …

I am reminded of many things when I think of the Gathering Place.

First I think of who God is and how Jesus came to this earth most purposefully to meet the broken and hurting, those who carry labels like poor, homeless, addict, and HIV-positive. That these people - who are truly most invisible to most of society – are treated with respect and dignity by the Gathering Place reflects the very heart of God.

I think too of how the Gathering Place embodies faithfulness as the staff and volunteers remain true to the founding vision of always being ‘there for’ the clients most especially when their situation is most dire and their suffering most great. This too reflects the heart of God.

And I am reminded of how trustworthy God is but also how unpredictable. Who could have predicted His choice of a construction guy to receive the vision for this ministry and His use of this same guy to flesh out the vision every day in such a redemptive and compelling way? Who He chose to lead this ministry reflects the wisdom of His heart also!

So to Bob and Melanie and to all the staff and volunteers of the Gathering Place we thank you for your colleagueship, your heart, your vision, your mission, your service, your compassion, your love for the least and the lost. May God be glorified as you embark on the next twenty years.

Truly, thank you.

All our love,

Steve Brubaker
Director of Residential Programs
Water Street Rescue Mission

Thank you to leaders...

We're doing something a little different at Teen Haven Camp this weekend.

Usually during the school year, camp runs a 3-1 schedule. 3 weeks of Teen Haven Camp - kids from Philadelphia, York, and Lancaster come to camp and Teen Haven staff run the program; and 1 week of an outside church rental - church runs their own program and Teen Haven staff provide background support (facilities, meals, etc).

During the "Teen Haven Camp" weekends, anywhere from 5-15 teenage leaders from our city ministries serve various roles to make the camp run smoothly, and to minister to the campers. The teens serve as cabin supervisors, junior counselors, kitchen staff, and occasionally maintenance assistants.

By the time a young teen with leadership potential is 16 years old, they may be done with their years of being "just a camper."

Well, this weekend is just for those special teens who have given of themselves to serve God, to serve Teen Haven, and to serve other youth from their communities. This weekend is a special leaders retreat. No campers to watch, no scheduled activities to supervise, not even any training seminars or workshops to make them better leaders. Just a weekend of fun and fellowship. A weekend of "Thank you for giving of yourselves to help others."

Please pray that all the teen leaders who attend this "Thank you" weekend will have a safe, restful, and fun weekend at Teen Haven Camp.

Our ministry would not be the same without their selfless service.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

Where there is a will...

Sometimes We need to think outside of our normal programs in order tomeet the needs of those God brings our ways. Here is another example of with from our Teen Haven ministry in Philadelphia:

Last month three girls finally attended camp from the Hill family. For months they were trying to come to camp but other church activities the children were involved in forced them to cancel.

After attending in January the girls had a great time and went back and shared with their parents. The girls were really interested in attending our Bible Study on Tuesday nights, but they lived outside of our normal boundaries. After talking with their mother about different options, and trying to make it work, we concluded that the girls would not be arriving home until well after 10pm which would not work for a school night. Needless to say, the girls, their mom and I were all disappointed.

Their mother was still determined. She is concerned that their youth group is more focused on games and social time and isn't helping the girls to grow spiritually. I offered to mail four quiet-time books and four notebooks to her and her girls that they would be able to be doing what we do at Bible study. She was so excited that she said she would pay for the postage by sending in a donation. I also suggested that I would be willing to come to her home once a month with some girls from Bible study and do a lesson with her and her girls and have the leaders check her girls quiet-times. She thought that would be great and said she would provide lunch for us.

We are excited for the start of this new relationship and for the ooportunities to connect not only with this family, but even their church as well. God is making a way even outside of our normal way of doing things.

-Oddet Mears, Teen Haven Philly

Superman, Batman... or Jesus?

So, who's your favorite superhero?

As a kid I always liked Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk. Maybe you're a Superman fan, or Batman, or maybe you were into the more obscure superheroes like Green Lantern, Captain America, or Dwight Howard (you NBA dunk contest fans know what I'm talking about).

Nikki, one of our Wonder Club teachers, recently shared with me a great story about the new superhero that is capturing the imagination of her pre-kindergarten students:

During free play time at school one day, two of her students ended up sitting a table having a pretty intense discussion...

"So, who is your favorite superhero?"

"My favorite superhero is Jesus!"

"Really, Jesus is my favorite superhero, too!"

"No way, are you on Jesus' team, too?"

Superheroes can be great role models for young kids, they can teach us about character, justice, and courage. How exciting to see these 4 year-olds recognize a role model even greater than Superman.

Staying connected

Working in youth ministry anywhere can sometimes be bitter sweet: you invest and care deeply for a teen, watch them grow, and then either they graduate and slowly drift away or they move and it is hard to know whether all you taught them and all that God has shown them really stuck. This can be especially true in the city where transiency and sudden changes in life circumstances are the norm rather than the exception.

This uncertainty of urban ministry makes it especially sweet when we are able to stay in touch and watch God continue to work in the life of a former Teen Haven "kid."

Once a week I get a phone call from EC (pronounced "Eee See"). Believe it or not, that is the actual name on his birth certificate. EC is 20 years old and is attending school at York Technical Institute. He will be graduating this summer and there might be wedding bells following that.

He calls me and often we will chat about scripture and what he is learning. Right now he is going through 1&2 Corinthians. We recently spoke about the headship of Jesus Christ in our lives and being a man of prayer.

What an encouragement to know God has built up our friendship based on the God of the Bible.

-Alex, York Teen Haven

Ministering grace to one another...

One of the blessings of working at WSRM is the staff realizes that we are just one of the venues through which God might choose to work in the lives of those he brings here. He works just as often through fellow residents to minister to those who need to feel his touch. A slice of life at WSRM from 2007:

We had a very interesting chapel this morning. I was sharing excerpts from Philip Yancey's book "What's So Amazing About Grace?". We started out talking about what we think grace is, where it comes from, what to do with it, etc... moved into things that prevent us from either accepting grace or showing it to others. For example, we spent quite a bit of time talking about a Ben Franklin quote about pride, and then went into guilt and shame, in relation to how these effect our ability to show grace.

I read a quote in the book that talks about "the three common sources of crippling shame", which are: secular society, a graceless church, and unaccepting parents. I said that I knew I had been affected by all of these and asked if anyone else felt that they had. Many hands went up at that point, but as they went back down, Stewart's hand stayed up. I said "go ahead" and as he started to speak, he completely broke down sobbing and shaking.

Some of the guys were encouraging him and one got up and put his arm around him and brought him some kleenex. Jerry (another gentleman in our program) jumped up and asked if we could come around Stewart and pray for him, which we did for some time. As we debriefed after chapel, it came out that Stewart is dealing with some very heavy stuff from his childhood and struggling with the idea that he can be forgiven.

-Scooter, Director of Operations

Systems and Relationships

I have been thinking recently about relationships and helping someone who is homeless. Specifically, I have been thinking about relationship and systems. I think humans are pretty good at designing systems, including systems to help people. In my world of caring for homeless individuals we call them “continuum of care systems” or “the social service system” or the “health system”. I am proud of some great systems of care that our community has developed to help people in need. There are people and processes ready to help where needed.

I was wondering though what role relationships have in the success of those great systems? In working with homeless individuals, relationships of trust are incredibly important. It is not unlike the relationship of a business with a customer. Without the trust of its customers, a business will not succeed. Without trust an individual—a homeless person—may not choose to access available services simply because they don’t know and therefore don’t trust the people in the system. All the great intentions and best systems fail if not interwoven with relationships of trust.

I think we need to regularly guard against allowing really good systems of care to push out relationship. Relationships can be hard work. Creating and managing systems often seems easier and, to be honest, it is. I think the key variable is that in a relationship we don’t have as much control over the outcomes.

I think when we value the system more than the relationship, caseworkers get weary. The daily work becomes managing the system instead of helping the person. When we push relationship out of the provision of care, a homeless person becomes discouraged, disillusioned and even more frustrated with life. I know this because, ashamedly, there are times I catch myself focusing more on ‘systems of care’ than on the people for whom they are designed to care. I must remind myself that systems without relationships are simply inhumane.

-Jere Shertzer, WSRM President

God at work (in big and small ways)

It is incredible what God can do in a minute, in a day, in a month. The Lydia Center is Water Street Rescue Mission’s long-term recovery program for women. The following stories are examples of some of the things God has been doing there recently!

--The staff had been praying that God would provide workbooks for Beth Moore’s study Breaking Free as well as volunteers to lead the study with the ladies. God provided both!

--One lady who enrolled in the Lydia Center was not engaging in the program for the first 3 weeks of her commitment. She seemed shut down emotionally. She didn’t feel she really needed all the program had to offer. Finally after several weeks, she has shown a willingness to look inside at what’s going on in her heart. She has been honest about her heart struggles. She shows a willingness to receive input from others. She loves to worship the Lord, and she talks about wanting to do things that please Him.

--In the last few weeks, another client has really come out of her shell. We have seen her looking happier, engaging more in the community, and taking more responsibility for herself. She is more conversational, enjoys the company of others, and allows her true colors to show. God has brought this dear woman a long way in her view of herself and what she offers to others!

Perfection - this side of heaven

I used to believe that work in a Christian organization would be a bit like heaven – no tension, problems, or disagreements. I no longer operate under this delusion. I’ve come to see that any association comprised of flawed people can never approximate the perfection of a future paradise. An organization conceived, constructed, and controlled by men is destined to be characterized by relational rifts and conflict.

And this is to be expected. Sin is alive and well and saturates everyone’s heart.

I also see something else that contributes to the persistent capacity we have to hurt and sin against each other. Everyone with whom I work is insanely passionate about what they are doing! I can think of no one who works here simply because ‘it’s a job!’ Each of my colleagues is deeply zealous about what he or she does. Each believes they are ‘called’ to minister here. And each is striving to make Jesus the Lord of every aspect of his or her life, to not compartmentalize. So when conflict happens it feels like a personal attack and it really hurts! Disagreement, though actually inevitable, feels so personal because it threatens the essence of ‘what I do, how I think, and who I am.’

Where does this leave us? Are we to walk in fear of messing up? Are we to be consumed with making sure we stay in the lines as we color? Is inoffensiveness our ultimate goal? Are we to walk on eggshells with each other and withhold what we think or who we really are in order to maintain the peace? I’m not exactly sure about all of this but am reminded of something Martin Luther wrote in a letter to his friend, Philipp Melanchthon. Luther was quoted by others after his death as saying, ‘if you sin, sin boldly.’

Here is some of the context around what he really said:

If you are a preacher of mercy, do not preach an imaginary but the true mercy. If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We, however, are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign (2. Peter 3:13). It suffices that through God's glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard for you are quite a sinner.

Another explains Luther’s comments this way:

“Luther was making the point to Philip Melancthon that God's grace calls us to live boldly. If you are going to do something do it with confidence. Know that if you screw it up, God's grace and forgiveness is mightier than your efforts to screw up. No he is not calling us to go out and sin to get grace flowing (though he has said that if you cannot find a sin in your life go and commit some small sin so you can know that you are a sinner); he is saying that we are not going to get thrown away by sinning. Go out and proclaim God with confidence... you are a sinner but God is not ever going to be outdone in His ability to forgive a sin.

Think of this analogy ... if you are in high school on the football team and the coach tells you that if you make one mistake he is yanking you out of the game for the duration, then you are not going to play good ball because you will be too worried about making a mistake. But if the coach tells you to go out and play as hard as you can, to give it all on the field, and not to worry about getting yanked, then you will play a much better ball game because you are free to go out and play without worrying about mistakes. Go and sin boldly, live boldly is the same thing.”
So when you’re in the game, play as hard as you can. As a coach always says, ‘don’t leave anything on the field!’ Press onward!

-Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries