Local VBS provides support to Water Street Mission

I recently was invited to speak at a church as a representative of the mission. They wanted me to speak for about 5 minutes and accept some pillows and blankets their children had made in VBS for the mission.

Right up until that morning I had not a clue what I was going to say, but God is always in time. As I drove north on 501 that morning, a long line of traffic was stuck behind a very slow moving vehicle. I know it is hard to believe, but I became terribly frustrated and agitated.

After about 15 minutes the car finally pulled off to the side of the road. As I past I notice the gentleman had a large map (no GPS) and was trying to figure out where he was. In that moment God spoke to me and showed me that just like that man, we are all born with no GPS. There is no written out directions on how we are to live our lives. Because of this, sometimes we turn left when we should have turned right. We make mistakes that can have profound effect on our lives. Sometime, life takes on a direction of it’s own that we have no control over. It gave me a chance to share a little about our residents and their needs.

The church then presented me with the blankets and pillows for the mission. They have the children’s handprints all over them, and the words “God Cares for You”. I gave them a word picture of our residents wrapping themselves in God’s love and knowing that they are loved when they go to bed at night. I wanted the people(especially the children) to know that their loving handwork was going to touch many lives.

- Sharon Houck, Water Street Ministries

Illuminate 2009 - RECAP

Here are some pictures along with quotes of attendees from Teen Haven's Spring Leadership Conference, ILLUMINATE 2009. Listen as each reflects on how the conference impacted and challenged them to grow in their leadership roles.


We learned WHO is THE LIGHT…

“The candle light service made me realize that the source of my light, and strength of it comes from the Lord, not me.”

I learned, “to be in the light and to be at the feet of Jesus always, no matter what.”

We learned to WALK in THE LIGHT…

As a leader I need, “to be able to look to the Lord for guidance when making decisions as a leader.”

“It helped me because I got to talk to some older people who helped me learn and grow as a leader.”

“I learned that I can’t let fear stop me from fulfilling my purpose.”

“I learned that those who I am leading are watching me. I need to live as Christ.”

This weekend, “motivated, broke me, molded me, and fixed me in the process. Amen.”

“It made me realize I have to be a follower (of Him) to be a leader.”

“I cannot be, I should not be, like the lone ranger. I should be a committed member of my church home to bring more light.”

We learned to CARRY THE LIGHT…

“Helped me to be a servant. As a light I need to stick out and help others, and be a light no matter what.”

“Be the light in my city, my school, anywhere.”

“I am the light of the world through Jesus”

“It’s helped me face the darkness around me, at home, in my neighborhood and with others with a different perspective.”

I learned, “to let my light shine; forgiveness; and to focus more on God.”

“Learned that leading is more than just “leading” it’s your lifestyle, your actions, your words. It also helped encourage me to step up and lead more.”

Prayers were a powerful tool that impacted many during this conference. Thank you to all who prayed and invested in the lives of these young leaders through your support.

A Story From Dave

Dave Miller, a faithful driver for the Collection Center, regularly has the opportunity to pick up furniture donations to be distributed to those in need. In the story below, we learn of how Dave recently had an unexpected donation pick-up where he left with something completely different than anticipated, and so did the donor…

About two weeks ago, on a Wednesday afternoon, Dave drove to a local home to pick up a couch. One tricky element in receiving donated goods is the importance of excellence – for all items being offered from the ministry they must not have stains, tears, or be in need of cleaning or repair. Unfortunately, when Dave arrived at this donor’s home their couch was in need of cleaning, from a pet that happened to enjoy the couch a bit too much. Dave informed the donor that although Water Street Ministries greatly appreciates their desire to give, that he wouldn’t be able to accept this couch due to the concern of allergies among those receiving such donations. He also shared the importance the Collection Center upholds in the need to maintain a standard of quality for all donated goods.

Dave was happily surprised that this donor’s response wasn’t at all one of disappointment, even though they were not able to accept her couch. Instead, she shared with Dave that she wanted to actually support the ministry for the faithfulness of driving all the way to her home to help her get rid of her couch. She then went on to share that only the day prior, she had read in the newspaper about some of the needs that are really growing for non-profit organizations in Lancaster, and knew that this was an opportunity that she didn’t want to miss to give to the ministry of Water Street Ministries. And with her own excitement to give she exclaimed, “I want to write you a check!” Dave was absolutely shocked! This was the first time in 8 years, as one of the drivers for the Collection Center, that he received a check for Water Street Ministries.

As she was writing the check, she mentioned that that she was hoping to have the couch moved from inside the house to the garage. She asked if there was any way that Dave and Anthony (a volunteer) would be willing to move her couch. When Dave said that they would give it a try, she said you really don’t have to, but Dave and Anthony were able to bless her with her request. Together they shared a similar generosity, and insisted that they wouldn’t mind trying.

After this transfer of blessings took place (between the transporting of the couch, and the gift to the ministry) both the donor and Dave were ecstatic! Both had received an unexpected blessing through their engagement with the needs around them. God worked extravagantly through this situation.

Listen for Water Street Ministries on WJTL

Tune in to FM 90.3 WJTL, starting this Monday, June 29, through the month of July, 2009! During these 5-weeks, Water Street Ministries will be featured on air. This opportunity will provide Water Street Ministries with a chance to continue to share the vision of the ministry which is "to create healing communities where lives are transformed."

Each week, WJTL will have a specific focus on a specific division of the ministry.

Tune in for interviews on the Morning Show from 7am-8am on the following dates:
- June 29, 2009
- July 6, 2009
- July 13, 2009
- July 20, 2009
- July 27, 2009

Be sure to check out online videos, and listen for 30-second promo spots, along with several morning shows and DJ announcements - these stories and updates will explore what opportunities exist to partner, and support Water Street Ministries in order to further the impact of the organization.

Please pray that God will bless this time of sharing with our surrounding communities.

For more information visit WJTL online: http://www.wjtl.com/

The Songs of Children – Wonder Club

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

It is incredible how the sound of children singing brings delight to the teachers at Wonder Club - and even more exciting to know that it brings delight to the Lord! This verse reveals that God actually “rejoices” in “singing.” Just imagine… God singing, as the children at Wonder Club shout out his praises! What a sound that must be!!

PRAY – That as the children are now experiencing the beginning of summer, away from Wonder Club, that God will continue to “quiet” these dear children “with his love”, as He “rejoices over” each of them “with singing”.

Watch, and experience some of the sounds and sights of a typical day at Wonder Club. Children – singing, laughing, and simply enjoying the day – as they learn and grow together.

The following videos were recorded by WJTL at the Lancaster location for Wonder Club Early Learning Centers:

Uncovering our need for Community

I’ve been thinking about the things the Bible says we are to put on and the things we are to take off. Recently, I was thinking about the things we have to take off – like pride, envy, jealousy, lust, covetousness, selfish ambition….One of the things I love about a long term program, is that the community spends all day together so stuff just comes out….and then once it’s out, everyone has to look at it and be part of the solution. It’s everyone’s concern.

I include the attached picture from February 20^th which helps bring the point home. I thought I was simply having an apt. warming dinner with LYC Staff. When they arrived, they informed me that I needed to wear some layers – as it was 19 degrees and we would be outside. I followed the instructions as I like being a good sport – though it was really uncomfortable…I felt like a 2 year old who has so many layers, she can’t move her arms and can’t turn her head. Well, it seemed we were going paintballing. Now for those of you who don’t know me – I’d say that paintballing is an entirely new concept for this native New Yorker. I was able to take responsibility for my welfare in preparing for 19 degree weather and put on the layers – frankly relying on God to give me wisdom as to which layers to wear and praying for Him to help me survive, not break a nail, that type of thing…but when the joke was over – yes, it was a joke – we weren’t going – they just wanted to see me dress up…I needed help taking the layers off as my arms were stiff and I could barely move.

This incident got me thinking about community and how things that happen to us in life make us put on layer upon layer, could be a layer of false humility, a layer of “I’m fine”, “I can do it myself”, “anger”, “shyness”, “defensiveness”, “stonewalling” – and we need each other to see them and then take them off – even though we put them on ourselves. We may not know we have the layers on but we’ll know when they are taken off – there will be freedom to walk and enjoy relationships in new ways…John 11:43-44 says “When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out’. The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them ‘unbind him, and let him go’”. Because our residents live in community, they are able to be a part of this unwrapping in each other’s lives and they begin to trust again which is a key component of their recovery.

The one co-worker that wasn’t laughing as hard as the rest helped me take off layer upon layer. We all need folks who will help us unwrap the reasons why we do what we do and stay engaged in the process.

Lord help us all stay engaged in each other’s process so that we can make your name famous and come out the other side closer to each other – they will know we are Christians by our love – and love, as you know, can be messy.

- Melissa Alcorn, Executive Director - Lydia Center at Grace Plateau

Swinging and Singing

Luke 10:21
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Today as I was pushing 4-year-old Tonya* on the swings at a park, she started singing a song. I tried and tried to figure out what song she was singing, but as she kept singing I realized that she was making up the song. I couldn’t take credit for teaching it to her!

It was a beautiful song of worship to Jesus: a combination of words from songs like “Jesus Loves Me,” but also words that she was putting together herself. She went on for several minutes, and I was able to hear snippets of things she knows about Jesus, such as his death, love, and the promise of heaven. Her worship was spontaneous, joyful, and bold in the presence of many other children and adults. Jesus is teaching me so much through children like Tonya*.

*name changed

-Carmen Garber, Wonder Club Early Learning Centers

A Testimony of Provision - from the Lydia Center

The Lydia Center offers a recovery and life change program for women. Through the grace of God, staff and residents continually experience changes amidst the recovery process, that are completely beyond their own expectations. Below a current resident at the Lydia Center shares about how God has worked miraculously on her behalf through a situation that seemed impossible.

A few months ago I was falsely accused of stealing by my boss while working at a spa in New Jersey. I was told that I was no longer needed. As a result I was absolutely devastated. My boss had targeted me because she knew that my past involved alcohol and drug abuse. A co-worker of mine who was also an investor in the company had a different perspective from the beginning. She believed that I was innocent, but my boss felt that I was to blame and stood her ground.

I came to Lydia Center broken and hurt over the situation until last week when God brought dramatic healing in my life. I received a message from the lady who was behind me from the beginning saying that my boss who accused me was “rightfully” terminated as president and owner of the company and that she has taken over. The first thing she said that was on her list was to call Lauren and “make things right for her “wrongful” termination. She gives her support to me and that I have my job back when I return home! God is Awesome!

Lauren – Lydia Center resident

Teen Haven theme for Summer Camp 2009

Teen Haven Summer Camp is only 2 weeks away. So, there is much excitement in the air as details and plans come together in preparation for the hundreds of youth that will attend camp.

This summer, the camp messages will be centered on this theme...

As I’ve pondered the relevance of this message of how our strength is from Him, I believe it has incredible potential to impact the youth attending camp. God’s calling has the ability to cause the youth to step up their faith to a new level of endurance; empowering them to become strengthened, stretched, and equipped for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Psalm 68:35 (New International Version)
You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary;
the God of Israel gives power and STRENGTH to his people.
Praise be to God!

Join me in praying that as youth prepare to meet with God, this summer….

- That in the woodsy sanctuary they would experience peace, solitude and the beauty of nature,

- and that through the crazy games, sports, gym and camp activities,

- along with times of sharing and accountability during chapel, cabin devotions, campfire chats and Bible studies

… That the awesome presence of God would reveal itself to each camper, and that they would feel God’s saving grace, acceptance, and unconditional love – each which invites them to be strengthened in Him!

As I lift this prayer up for the youth, my hope is that I too will never get satisfied in my walk with God. It’s exciting that I have the privilege to go to His sanctuary (at home, at work, or anywhere)… but only IF I CHOOSE TO LISTEN for the calling of God, which urges me to become stronger, in Him alone. It’s through those “ah-ha” moments of peace, and surrender that as we put our trust in him, I believe he’ll speak to us a new challenge –to overcome obstacles, and to become stronger, as we journey with Him.

Janae Dagen – Teen Haven Secretary

A story about Al

“I’m having a ball,” says the gleamingly upbeat Al as we share a conversation over lunch. It’s been 21 months since Al graduated from the Christian Life Development Program, and he is still bursting with energy and enthusiasm when he shares how God is continuing to bless his life. “I never thought I could have fun,” says Al.

Since moving out of Water Street Mission, Al maintains a close relationship with the Mission and has established his own form of ‘outreach’ ministry with the clients. On any given day you can find Al ‘reaching-out,’ whether it be roaming the halls chatting and joking with staff, sharing his testimony with the clients, or feasting in the lunch room. “The Word is not just for me, I’m here to spread the Word,” says Al.

When you can’t find him at Water Street Mission, Al is an active member of Faith Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Lancaster, Pa. “I joined the choir, and tried to be at every event,” Al said, with ‘event’s’ meaning anything from small group-oriented bible studies to Vacation Bible School for children. The pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Gerald Simmons, has become a close friend and mentor to Al. When Al was still a client, Pastor Simmons would come to Water Street Mission every Sunday and take Al to the services in the church van. Through repeated visits to the church, Al felt God was asking him to, “Try me. If you don’t like me, what have you lost?” The invitation was life changing.

Today you can still find Al singing hymns and discussing verses with fellow passengers on the way to church from behind the steering wheel. Having worked many years as a bus driver, Al has taken over responsibility of making sure others get to the services every Sunday. “I invite them [friends and clients of the Mission] to my church,” Al explains, “And when they start telling me they live too far away to come, I ask, ‘What’s your address? I’ll come and pick you up. What’s your excuse now?’” He says he’s “doing for others what others have done for me.”

Being a part of Water Street Ministries and Faith Tabernacle Church of God has shown Al the value of quality and healthy relationships. “It is important to know someone will be there if I need them,” says Al. These strong relationships have grounded his life and provided a positive alternative to reverting back to his old patterns. “Prayer is the key,” states Al. “Trying to live day to day, following God’s word.”

- Jon Sullenberger, volunteer

Lives changed through Teen Haven Camp

In the letter below, we hear the excitement of Chanea, a Teen Haven alumni, as she shares how through her involvement at Teen Haven, God impacted her perspectives and calling for the future. Listen, as she shares her gratitude in the letter below to Vinny Mikusow, the Field Director at Teen Haven Camp...

Hey Vinny,

I just wanted to say how honored I am to have worked with you all these years! I have learned so much from this ministry and from you. I didn't grow up with my father, so I was never taught what to look for in a man.

I remember at camp one weekend years ago, you spoke about what to look for in a man. Your sermon was basically on Godly men. You brought up two men, Boaz, and Joseph (Mary's Husband). It was that sermon that got me thinking on what it is I look for in a man that the Lord might have for me. My standards for guys became high. I knew I wanted a godly man, because I wanted something better for myself. I wanted to please God with my relationship when I got into one. Even now my standards are still set in stone. I have watched so many healthy marriages, and it has helped me know what I want.

I know I want to please God in all I do. I want to be so indwelt with Christ that I see no man, until He (Christ) lays him before me. It’s hard, but I know I have to have faith and trust in God no matter what. I said a prayer to God recently. I prayed, "Lord, I give you my heart, because you take care of it far better than I do. You protect it as if it were the rarest jewel. Since you have my heart, that means I can’t just give it to any man. When it’s time, you will give my heart to the one you will have for me. Amen."

It took a while for me to totally get to this point. I’ve waited so long, and it seems like everyone is getting married. Yes, I long to be married.

I wanted to thank you for being my spiritual father. I know I don't get to see you often, or always talk to you, but you’re always there ready to listen. Each time I talk to you, my respect for you just goes up. I have the highest respect for you. You’re an honest, devoted man of God. The lifestyle I chose to live was one to honor God but also because I was taught how to be a woman of God from you and Ms. Oddet. So thank you again for everything, all the encouragements, and talks.

Love,
Chanea - Teen Haven alumni