An Open Studio Project at Teen Haven

Angel Luciano is a passionate volunteer within the Teen Haven programs in Lancaster City. He is also an extremely talented artist who is sharing his creativity on the walls of our youth center. (progress picture of the mural posted on the right)

Here’s how this mural project came about…
Jose Jimenez, the Lancaster Teen Haven Field Director, asked Angel if he would be willing to come up with a mural design around a specific theme verse. Angel agreed and used this verse in Hebrews 12:1 in the design which says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

As people view this mural our hope is that crowds of witnesses will be reminded of the Sacrificial Love of Christ, and not forget what Jesus endured for our benefit! This mural reminds us that heaven is our goal, as we see the gates of eternity opened by the blood of Christ our Savior.

The Process...
The mural project is still in progress, and it's been so fun to see the process as he's working to complete this masterpiece. We're so thankful for Angel's partnership in serving at Teen Haven and sharing his artistic expressions on the walls of our youth center!

If you're interested in additional artistic opportunities where you might be able to serve at Water Street Ministries, check out our Open Studio page which contains more information and details on getting involved: http://waterstreetministries.org/MakeADifference/OpenStudio.aspx

Trusting God with Tuition

When I accepted the position of Program Counselor in the Men’s Ministry this year my wife and I were concerned that we would have to withdraw our two older children from the Christian school that they had been attending since elementary school (my son is now a senior and my daughter is now a junior).

We decided to enroll them this year and trust that God would provide for our financial needs. In December we were contacted by the school to inform us that someone had anonymously paid for their tuition expense for the rest of this year! Needless to say, we were awestruck by God’s provision as well as the generosity of His people. God be praised!!!

Mark Noel • Program Counselor

“'Golden Voice' homeless man finds job, home after viral video success”

I have to wonder about the celebrity we’ve made of Ted Williams, the ‘Golden-Voiced’ homeless man! Since being ‘discovered’ in Ohio in January his video on You Tube has been viewed almost 8 million times and media from around the world have written about him. He’s also been offered jobs and advertising spots and interviews.

Personally, I’m not surprised at Ted and his giftedness - I’ve met many talented and educated and intelligent people who have been addicted and homeless - the Master Chef, the Missionary, the Doctor, the MBA banker, the Artist, the Mason. It’s not surprising to see great gifts among the homeless.

What’s surprising to me is our desire to make him a story. Has this effort been helpful to him? In the days since becoming nationally known his addiction has resurfaced landing him in a ‘celebrity’ rehab in California! And the hope is that he will find a way to find freedom from the life-depleting compulsions in his life. We wish him well and pray that he will be able to come out of the destruction that has been his life.

But can we also allow this to remind that addiction easily embeds in a life and recovery from such is often complex and long-term? Can we also hesitate a little bit the next time we’re compelled to view a homeless guy through our lens without considering history or the intricacy of his situation? For Ted’s sake, we can do no less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rPFvLUWkzs

Steve Brubaker • Chief Vision Officer

Lydia Center receives more than just Groceries...

I was recently grocery shopping for the center at a local market. While I was unloading a very full cart at the checkout a stranger walked over and asked if I would like the slip of paper she held out to me. She said she could not use it but I probably could.

It was a coupon for 7 dollars off any grocery order over $65. I smiled and thanked her and then told her she had just helped feed the ladies at the Lydia Center.

She said “Praise the Lord” to which I replied “Amen”. “You must be a believer” she said as she walked away and I smiled.

I gained a new friend that day. I don’t know her name and I probably won’t see her again this side of Heaven but I will remember for a long time the smiles and the words we shared that day.

As I shared this story, the residents here were blessed with this woman’s giving heart. So many hearts join in the ministry of the Lydia Center. Some names are known to us, others aren’t. Regardless, please be assured that we appreciate your generous gifts and do our best to share the love of Christ here on Grace Plateau.

- Paula Sentgeorge • Lydia Center, Kitchen Manager

An unexpected Gift

A candid reflection about gift giving. Have you ever received a similar blessing from a gift that you gave?


Concerned for the amount of time our son spent playing video related games, we decided to make it an “electronics free” Christmas this year. Of course his wish listed included various video game requests, even an ipod (we were not ready for that one). Our thought was to find a gift that would be engaging as well as entertaining. We decided upon tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters. This activity would be visually stimulating yet not involve a power cord. It would also afford me some one on one time with my son.

The trip to Hershey started with conversation around sports, as it so often does, but at some point we got on a discussion about Sunday School. This led to why I thought it was important and if it really mattered to God if we went to church. WOW - truly meaningful conversation! I shared a few things and in time the topic changed back to the games of the day and before we knew it we had arrived.

The Globetrotters were hilariously entertaining. We both seemed to enjoy ourselves. He thanked me for taking him to see “the funniest basketball players in the world”. Traveling home we talked about various things, but nothing so compelling as before.

As I kneeled by his bed side saying our prayers that night I realized the impact of the day. My son’s prayer contained this praise … “and thank you God for loving me and wanting me to go to church so I can worship you and for my Dad who loves me too.” I believe I was the recipient of the true gift of Christmas on that night.

- Keith Shetter, Director of Donor Relations

Seeing Transformation at the Lydia Center

Last week I met with a resident that was requesting a phase promotion. I remember her first day here as she arrived on a major holiday. She did not make a lot of eye contact and she certainly did not talk much. Since that time, she has come to know the Lord.

What is also so encouraging is that she is now teaching her child, who is living elsewhere, the tools she is learning here. She is also teaching him about taking responsibility for his actions – something we talk about all the time at Lydia Center. In addition to that, she has asked forgiveness from several family members that she felt she had hurt in the past – things that she found very hard to even think or talk about 4 or 5 months ago. The shame is gone and I see new-found freedom.

As I see her take leadership roles here and see her walk with her head held high now, I just stand in awe of God’s amazing grace! It’s unbelievable what God can do in couple of months in someone’s life!

Melissa Alcorn • Lydia Center Executive Director




To Learn more about the Lydia Center visit: http://www.lydiacenter.org/

A New Partnership & Season at Teen Haven

I’ve learned about seasons. Some seasons are good, and some are not so good. For me, I’m not a winter guy. But if I endure Winter, I get to appreciate Spring and Summer.

Last year was the season for me to be a gym teacher at a local charter school. It provided finances, but it meant a lot of sacrifice, like me not being at home much with my family. I didn’t have a peace about returning this year, but the school didn’t want to lose me. In the end, God saw fit for the school to contract with Teen Haven to provide the physical education classes this year. Now several of our staff will be sharing the role of gym teacher.

Not only is this relationship providing finances for the ministry, but it’s providing opportunity for Teen Haven staff to connect with over 120 students daily, to be role models, and to promote Teen Haven programs and Camp. You see, part of the state’s requirement is that students get plugged into community programs. Because of our staff’s influence, it is likely that the students will get plugged into Teen Haven.

Already we’re seeing results at Teen Haven. Numbers had been low for our girls program. After we got connected with the school, the girls program exploded. When one of these new girls first started attending our programs, her attitude was very poor – especially at school. She didn’t want to get to class on time, and she didn’t want to participate in anything. What she found at Teen Haven was people who really cared for her. It wasn’t long before she gave her heart to the Lord!

Since then we have seen real fruit: her attitude has changed, her music choice has changed, the way she speaks and dresses has changed, and who she spends time with has changed. Plus her grades are up, and her teachers are seeing the difference. She’s plugged into a local church, and her mom even has become involved in Teen Haven.

God in His sovereignty knows the needs of the ministry of Teen Haven and knows our hearts to partner with the community. Before anyone else knew, he knew the relationship He was establishing. What people see to be impossible, God makes possible. With the right heart and willing people, God can do anything. Even through this economic state, God knows how to take care of his people.

By Jose Jimenez, Teen Haven, Lancaster Field Director

I AM with you always.

Butterflies have always been an encouragement to me. They are the symbol of restoration, hope & something new & beautiful. I shared this with a precious young woman I have the privilege to share Jesus love with.

She has a life long history of brokenness, hopelessness & horrible abuse. Anything hopeful was foreign to her yet she clung to a hope that there had to be something better. She was very fearful to share things from her past because she was always told no one would believe her & no one would care. You could see how fearful it would be to share yet she continued to press through. We did most of our counseling outside. God always showed up at just the time she needed it.

Every time she needed encouragement a butterfly (or two or three or more) would fly by her or land on her to see, it was as if God was revealing His presence, His faithfulness, and His love for her through this tangible symbol. It became something that we would laugh at. At just the time that she needed hope that she could face the incredible pain from her past God brought that hope in front of her eyes to see.

Recently she was looking at some extremely painful hurts done by some people who were supposed to protect her. She was afraid to look at it. As she was sitting outside a butterfly came & landed on her pen. As she watched it the butterfly then flew to her left shoulder & then to her right. She said she had such peace come over her that she was able to sit there & look at the pain with hope that this pain was not the end of her story. She said she felt God’s presence.

It is priceless to see hope in the eyes of such a wounded soul. She has a hard road ahead in healing but she can tell you that she knows she is not alone & she has a hope not that “there has to be something better” but that there IS Someone better – Jesus Christ.

- Carrie Libonati, Lydia Center, Learning Center Instructor

Looking Back

The following are reflections from a graduate of the Men's Recovery Program...

I am awed by my experience here at Thaddeus Stevens. Even to the point of being overwhelmed. I wonder if things can get any better. I am discovering things about myself that for the longest I only fantasized about. Both in terms of ability and emotional experience.

I question why I did not go back to school when I was younger. In reality I know the answer. It is because I was overly involved in my emotional pain, and choose to comfort myself in attachments instead of seeking solace in relationships.

At the risk of sounding pretentious I now believe that I can, I will, I do, I am, and I have. In a way I am living my dream, and it’s fantastic. At this point Craig Hickey would remind me of Romans 12:3, and I do well to remember that the only accurate way to understand myself is by what God is and by what he does.

This verse says, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”

All of this of course comes by grace, and is the result of my experience here at college and, also from having been involved in the programs, and opportunities presented to me by you and Water Street; without which I would not be here continuing my education. You have a part in my success, and I thank you!

To Learn more about the programs within the Men’s Discipleship Center of Water Street Mission visit:
http://waterstreetministries.org/Ministries/WaterStreetMission/MensDiscipleshipCenter.aspx