Thanksgiving Blessings at the Lydia Center

In this season of Thanksgiving, the staff and residents of the Lydia Center have many things to be thankful for! Two items stick out in my mind: warmer buildings and the employees of JK Mechanical, Inc. of Willow Street, PA. On November 10, 2010, a group of 68 employees from JK Mechanical came to bless our ministry through a community service project. Wow! Did I say 68 people? Yes, I did! The grounds of the Lydia Center were buzzing with activity as doors were being replaced on the cottages, as windows were being replaced in the child care room, as the heating/cooling systems were serviced and as windows were being caulked and cleaned.

The residents have already expressed how much warmer it is in the main building where they attend classes. The new windows in the child care room come at a perfect time as a children’s ministry coordinator has been hired and is planning to start in December. Yeah! The children will have a warm place to play and sleep!

As a way to bless the group, the residents baked cookies and delivered them to the company. Here is part of a thank you note we received. “And as far as the cookies, everyone is enjoying them immensely. The thank you card was quite an encouragement too-especially the personal notes that everyone took time to write. It meant so much to us to know how the Community Work Day has benefitted each person individually. What a blessing this was to us!”

Thank you, JK Mechanical, Inc. for your generosity and service! We are grateful and blessed to see how you took time, resources, and energy to invest in our ministry.




Lisa Good, Lydia Center Program Counselor

'Challenges' from Men's Ministry - Part 2

Here are the remaining testimonites from the Men’s Ministry team in response to the question, “Where did you experience a challenging situation at WSM in the past month? How did you see God meet the need?”

“When a CES guest got up close and personal I experienced God’s protection through others who came to my aid and blocked him from harming me.” – Philip Wrightstone

“I have seen God facilitate several conversations and help the people involved communicate.” – Jon Shacklett

“God met the needs of the men at WSM, and he provided all the personal help that I am able to receive." - Intern Howard

“God used the team work of Men’s Ministry to develop a positive experience for our guests during the Family Day event!” – Mark Noel



"A client I had no hope of getting benefits for - now unexplainably has full benefits! This client is teaching me to trust God and commit ALL to Him."

'Challenges,' from Men’s Ministry – Part 1

The Men’s Ministry team has prepared some short testimonies in response to the question, “Where did you experience a challenging situation at WSM in the past month? How did you see God meet the need?”

"God met my need in helping me accept people by getting passed my preconceived notions. God met my need by giving me an understanding that I shouldn’t be a stumbling block in the path of my brothers and others." - Intern Jerome

"I have met two very young men in the past week that do not know Christ. The challenge I have recognized was overcome when God allowed me to share some of His truth with them individually so we were able to build a relational bridge." - Jim Stanton

"God met the needs at the Family Day activities. He met it with kindness and a smile!" - Intern Bob

"One of my challenges has been to stay positive and joyful in the face of a medical diagnosis that is chronic. God has been challenging me to pursue Him and to trust Him even when He changes the plans I had made for my life. He has been teaching me that I am known to Him and He knows my needs." - Sue Pearce, Learning Center

WSHS - Providing Healthcare and Relief!

A young man, 23, came to Water Street Health Services recently due to severe pain in his armpit. He came in because a “growth” was developing under his arm that was making it difficult for him to work. With little money and no insurance he didn’t know what to do until he heard about us. He was so grateful as the doctor lanced and drained the large cyst that had developed and gave him an antibiotic to cure the infection.

The pain relief was instant when the pressure was released. This released for him not only physical pain pressure but emotional pressure that was building over what he could do to get help and fear of losing his job due to either not being able to work or loss of work time.

We saw him after work hours, and he asked why we do this; provide free care? I was then able to tell him that we serve as the hands of Christ – who came to heal us all of our sicknesses, both physical and spiritual. We are sharing His good news of salvation and hope. After a brief chat where he listened intently – seeds were planted and with a big smile he thanked me so much for helping him and taking the time to talk with him.

This is an example of one of hundreds in Lebanon and thousands through Water Street Health Services Lancaster that we are providing God’s healing! What a privilege to be called to be part of His work!

Gale Thomason • Executive Director