Support Water Street Ministries by Eating Out!

Dine at Loxley’s during the month of December and Donate 5% of the restaurant check to Water Street Ministries.

Here’s how it works:
1. Order your Meal
2. Choose Water Street Ministries
3. Pay the Bill

So, Make it a date night with family, friends, or a loved one in December and support the homeless and poor this Holiday season!

Loxley’s is attached to the Heritage Hotel on Centerville Road right off of Route 30. Take the Centerville Exit and it is right next to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater.

The website is http://www.heritagelancaster.com/dining.html

Thanksgiving Reflections

What are you thankful for?

I am thankful not being the one at the top who has to make the tough decisions for this ministry.
I am thankful for the Godly men and women who God has placed in this ministry to do so.
My prayer for them is to continue to follow Christ and not lean to their own understanding in making those decisions.
Praise God the ministry is still going forward.
Praise God for a godly headship.

Oddet Mears • Philadelphia Girls Program Coordinator, Teen Haven

Thanksgiving Reflections

What are you thankful for?

I was so thankful to be invited to the baptism of a gentleman in our Residential Recovery Program at his church last Sunday. It was a tremendous joy to see him beaming and seated in the same pew with his 3 children who had NEVER been together before that day. These 3 young people had the honor of seeing their dad, a man changed by Christ, experience baptism, and declare a public profession of his faith. This was one of the highlights of my opportunities as a counselor. “Thank You, Lord, for changed lives and how these folks impact their families and others.”

Jim Stanton • Program Counselor

Graduates Sharing about their Experiences - Part 3

GRADUATE REFLECTIONS - PART 3

Listen as the Water Street Mission graduates share about their experiences as they answer the question... What wisdom would you pass on to those struggling in similar situations?

Erik: There is a lot of stigma to this place (from those looking from the outside). But, there are so many people’s lives being changed here, whether they graduate or not, countless. The scales are tipped to the graduates, but it should be emphasized that everyone gets help here.

Leonard: With people like these counselors and volunteers, there is love everywhere. We are the healthiest homeless people in the world.

Dennis: It was difficult at the beginning; reflecting back makes it all worth it. One of the turning points for me in the program was a book I received, “The Power of Christ.” It taught me to give thanks to the Lord in adversity. Being thankful for adversity has made all the difference in the world. I learned that it’s not all about me, it’s about helping people.

Leonard: Water Street has been a blessing.

Lonnie: A lot of people drive by and see what Water Street is on the outside. Lancaster, as a whole, doesn’t really see what’s happening.

Ken: If people take the time to get to know the people and the program, they’re minds would be changed.

Dennis: People think this is just a soup kitchen, and a place with a bed. This is a place for change...people who believe and trust in change.

Ken: I have a wife and 3 kids. If it wasn’t for Water Street, I would be divorced for sure. If people would be just willing to stick with it, change is possible.

Jose: If you want to play games, this is not the place. Whatever you want to do, the staff will walk beside you every step.

Erik: Dream big, find what makes you happy, and go all out.

Compiled by Jon, volunteer

SWEET donations at the Lydia Center

Tuesday morning I had a conversation with Melissa about the dietary needs of our women and the steps we have taken to give them nutritious meals and cut back on sugars and carbs. I left her office thinking we were doing well at minimizing salts and sweets. As I entered the foyer a group of women arrived for a tour. They brought some clothing donations and gifts of food. I called Melissa out and we just had to laugh at God’s humor. Those sweet ladies brought us 81 pounds of soda, chips, cookies and chocolate bars. Imagine the smiles these treats will bring.
Paula Sentgeorge • Lydia Center, Kitchen Manager

It’ll be exciting to see how Paula and the ladies at the Lydia Center enjoy the blessing of these treats… just don’t forget about the healthy eating plan too!

Graduates Sharing About Their Experiences - Part 2

Listen as the Water Street Mission graduates share about their experiences as they reflect on this statement: Describe was it was like living as a community.

Lonnie: Community living was very difficult for me. It still is. Everyone has different personalities, you have to wait in line, and there are people with different opinions. But something changed. People I would have normally passed by, the needy, I find myself being drawn to them. I’m finding compassion, but it is still a struggle.

Jose: needed relationships, because I was isolated. I was happy when I came here, happy to be with other men. I got to meet great mentors and friends.

Erik: I am generating sober relationships, but it is a struggle to be outgoing without the drugs. It took ten years to get to the point where I was. Now it is very easy to function in the community.

Leonard: If you want to hear God laugh, you tell him your plans.

Compiled by Jon, volunteer

Donation Stories

Below, staff share about two specific donations that were received. Each testimony gives evidence of the faithful supporters who are impacting the ministry! We desire to be good stewards of all the gifts that come our way, but it is amazing how the "widow's mite" often moves one's heart more than the "larger" gifts...

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
Treasures in Heaven
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I just wanted to highlight a donation we received on the Collection Center on Saturday. Apparently a young girl had been saving some money and brought it to us in a little envelope.
Her donation came to 64 cents and reminded me of a boy with a couple fish and some bread that fed 5,000. May God continue in his own ways to enable this ministry to go on.
Dean Wenger • Redistribution Manager

As I was helping open the donation mail on Wednesday, we received $2 gift with the shakily, handwritten note ”I am sorry that I cannot give more”.
Let us thank God, that as we seek to experience Him, he blesses us … and also the givers.
Paul Pearce • VP of Advancement

Food Drive - YOUTH EDITION

Check out this video to see the hard work and energy of the youth groups who participated in the Rescue Mission Food Drive YOUTH EDITION which took place at Amelia's Grocery Outlet on Saturday, October 24th!

Volunteers share about their Experience

A note from some volunteers who recently served at Water Street Ministries...

Hi Pearl!
We really enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to coming back =) We loved helping and it was nice to see that it was appreciated. Everyone was so nice. It really taught us a lot of lessons and it was wonderful interacting with the people while we served them food. A man named Eli, who was a member of the community we served food to, came up to us afterwards and talked to us a little bit and thanked us. We will definitely remember this experience for the rest of our lives!
Thanks,
Mindy and Arianna

For information on volunteering, visit:http://waterstreetministries.org/MakeADifference/Volunteers.aspx

Conversations in the Community

After receiving more than a handful of disparaging remarks sent to the mission in recent weeks I decided it may be best to try and calm the brewing storm. So I set out to visit face to face with a few of the ministries constituents. After finding the home of the person I had hoped to speak with, I noticed a car slowly backing out of the driveway. It was the women I had just traveled 20 minutes to see. She stopped as I approached the car and rolled down the window. For the next 15 minutes we discussed everything but the matter I had hoped to address. By the time I finally mentioned her note and concern for how her donation was being used she had assured me she believed in the work being done at Water Street and would continue to support our efforts. A few simple words spoken on behalf of all those who seek refuge in the Lord’s hands at Water Street Ministries. Taking the time to let someone know we appreciate the support they give us can be a double blessing.

As I walked back across the street to my vehicle a man was collecting his mail and gave a shout asking who I was. Walking over to him I sensed I was in for a bit of a battle. But the Lord used the moment to allow me to speak to the heart of this man. Uncertain of who I was and less certain of what Water Street Ministries was all about the spirit went to work on this man’s heart as I explained my role and what I was doing in his neighborhood. I spoke of the various ministries and the need for support, even mentioning opportunities for volunteering. The man thanked me for my time and went inside his house. Once I returned to my vehicle I sat there for a moment and just thanked God for putting me in that place at that time and allowing me to share the good news about what is taking place on the 200 block of South Prince Street.
Amen

Keith Shetter • Director of Donor Relations

We were out of sugar...

All week long we have been out of sugar. Whenever someone would complain, I would tell them that they need to pray and ask God for the sugar because that is something we were not going to be purchasing. Today, out of the blue God provided sugar. We just got 600 lbs donated this afternoon. What really delights me is that we really don’t need sugar, drinks can be drank without sweetener, but because it was the desire of a few faithful He chose to bless everyone. God is good.

George Eckman • Water Street Mission, Dining Service Manager

Turkeys, turkeys, TURKEYS....

Would you consider helping us provide meals for the poor and homeless this holiday season?Drop off your 12 lb. frozen turkey at the Water Street Mission Food Dock by Friday, Nov. 20 for Thanksgiving or by Friday, Dec. 18 for Christmas!

Drop off hours:

M-F: 6am-6pm
Sat: 6am-1pm, 3pm-6pm

Sun: 7am-9am, 3pm-6pm

Questions? Call (717) 393-7709

A trunk full of generosity!!

Last night I represented the Lydia Center at an event that hosts a different charity each month. I shared about the various needs we have and presented them with the opportunity to be involved by filling brown grocery bags with non perishable items. After I finished sharing a woman came up to me and said, I know this is really weird but I have a whole trunk full of groceries - would you be able to use them? I was speechless because just earlier that afternoon, I had heard testimonies from other Water Street staff that had experienced God’s faithful provision and just a couple hours later- God was at it again. I thanked the woman for her gift of groceries and let her know that her contributions were an answer to prayer.

In this experience, I am reminded that God answers prayers often in my daily life, but I don’t take the time to be aware of how he is answering. I believe that God delights in us experiencing his goodness and I have been reminded to be more watchful and thankful in the ways that I see him working.

Joy Gehman • Lydia Center, Case Worker