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