The Trail

Rachel Scarborough
WSM Development Intern

Hi! My name is Rachel Scarborough, and I’ve been working at Teen Haven Camp for nine years. I started as a camper and continued to be a junior counselor and finally a head counselor. These blogs are just a few of my camp experiences. Read, enjoy, and don’t forget the bug spray.


The woods were sticky and dark as Chanea, the girls’ director of Philadelphia, and I brushed aside branches, striving to see the barely visible path we were walking on. We were playing a new night game called Counselor Hunt, where the entire counseling staff hid and all the campers had to find us. I was excited for the game until Chanea suggested we go on an old nature trail. When the game started the sun was just slipping behind the trees and fireflies were beginning to decorate the air, but as we walked the trail it seemed as if the darkness enveloped us like a blanket, thick and quiet. “Chanea!” I whispered with a hint of fear, "I can’t see anything! How much longer do we have to be here?” She sighed, “Um, I don’t know but I don’t hear the kids...” She paused. At that moment we heard the sounds of an unrecognizable animal, Caw, caw, caw! Without a second glance I took off running like a character out of a safari movie, pushing branches out of my face, and jumping trees as fast as I could, leaving Chanea no choice but to run as well.

Luckily, for Chanea and I the animal never showed its face and the campers never caught us. However, the whole experience reminded me of the Christian walk. Sometimes God takes us down paths that we are scared to follow or aren’t familiar with. However, instead of trusting Him we turn and run for cover at the first sign of hardship because of our fear. I didn’t run because I saw an animal, I ran because of the fear I had that those sounds would materialize into something I would be afraid of. Remember our God isn’t one of fear but of courage.

Help teens experience God in new ways. Provide a Teen Haven camp scholarship today. Click here to donate online!

Farewell to a good friend

Our Men's Ministry Director, Aaron Eggers, left Water Street last week to take a new position at a sister rescue mission in Salem, Oregon. During chapel on his last day with us, present and former residents had the opportunity to share with him and each other about the impact he made in their lives. Here are a few of their comments:

"I appreciated your willingness to be vulnerable by acknowledging your own weaknesses with us. I often thought, if you (as the Director) are willing to do that, I should be too - if I want to grow in Christ."

"I never met anybody who 'kept it real' like you."

"You modeled for us what it meant to live authentically as a Christian man."

"You taught me to see myself as God sees me."

"You made me look at myself - for the first time."

"You taught me to value grace which I 'trampled on' for most of my life."

"You've been an important part of my journey."

"I'm grieving that you are leaving."

"I've known Aaron since the first day he came here. He has helped both my self and my husband in our struggles."

The photo above shows the men praying for Aaron at his last chapel at WSM. Our thoughts and prayers are with Aaron as his journey with Christ takes him to his new role in Salem. We are grateful to God for his time here and the impact he had on the ministry, the men, and all of us.

Overwhelmed by Change

How often has any one of us been overwhelmed by the expectation of change? External changes can disrupt many things in our day. But what about internal changes? How do we respond when God is asking us to think differently, respond differently or allow ourselves to feel again?

I am amazed as I watch the power of God at work in the lives of the women who come to the Lydia Center, who everyday are challenged to face change. Most often fear is the obstacle to that change. Fear of failing, fear of the unknown and often fear of being overwhelmed with emotions that have been avoided or buried for many, many years. This frequently brings each of them to a crossroads in their journey of change. Do they take the risk or do they stay where they are? As we encourage the ladies to turn their eyes upon Jesus it also reassures me that I can do likewise in my own journey of change. As King David wrote, “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I. (Ps. 61:2 KJV).

Tina Hildebrand
Lydia Center Counselor

Growing in Service

For many years, one of the Water Street Mission’s good friends has been Friendship Community an organization that supports individuals with intellectual disabilities. At one of their recent Expressions of Love & Praise worship service, the topic for the evening was on “Sharing.” As a practical way to express sharing, individuals were invited to bring extra coats to share with the Water Street Mission.

During the service, the question was raised – “Do we just share the extra things we have with others or would we share our favorite possession if we were asked to? Many of us honestly expressed our hesitation to give up our favorite things.

As the service was coming to a close, one of Friendship’s individuals walked to the front of the church carrying her coat. She whispered to Milt Stoltzfus, who was leading the service, that she wanted to give her favorite coat to someone who needed it. Milt asked her if she was sure that she wanted to do this. She responded by saying, “It’s my favorite coat, and it’s the right thing to do.”

Thank you, clients of Friendship Community, for being such a powerful example of how to love through sharing.

This post was cowritten by:
Milt Stoltzfus • Friendship Community, Spiritual Nurture and Community Life
Maria Schaszberger • Water Street Ministries, Director of Communications

A Great Servant and Legacy at Teen Haven

Can you think of someone whose life has inspired you to be a better person?

One person who has left this type of footprint in the lives of Teen Haven was Mr. Jesus Ruiz. His spirit of selfless servanthood, and encouragement have inspired the youth and staff at our Lancaster Center beyond words.



Although he has gone home to be with the Lord, his legacy will continue to encourage others to follow closer after Christ.

The above photo of Jesus Ruiz was taken by a Teen Haven student, Danielys Cubilete, during a photo project with the Restore Leadership Program on the theme of "WHO IS RESTORING LANCASTER CITY. "

Read as some of our staff share about Jesus' life:
Jesus Ruiz was a phenomenal human being. His joy, his love for Christ, others and the community are amazing features that Jesus had. He was one great servant here at Teen Haven, from mowing our lawn, to raking leaves, washing company and at times staff vehicles. He is truly going to be missed by the staff and all the students here at Teen Haven that he impacted by his servant attitude, he was a grandfather to many.

We will miss having him over for a volunteer appreciation lunch, giving him a sweatshirt, T-Shirt, etc. as a gift for Christmas. It was truly a pleasure to know this man of God and the light that he was wherever he went will never go out. He was and is truly a light to our dark world.

Now he gets to be with the Light of the world - knowing Jesus Ruiz he's probably trying to wash the streets of Gold or Jesus feet. LOL, that man couldn't be slowed down, he enjoyed life to the fullest each and every day. He was a man with no regrets, he was a man that was thankful to have life. What a great neighbor, what a great friend, what a great volunteer, what a great servant of Christ, we had the privileged of knowing.
Jose Jimenez • Lancaster Field Director

Every time I see his cars my eyes get watery, Mr. Jesus was an amazing man of God, every time I spoke to him he encouraged me by preaching the gospel. His life completely revolved around Jesus and he proved that to me countless times.

A few days after open heart surgery he was working in the back of Teen Haven WOW!!! I will never forget Mr. Jesus he is in heaven now without any pain or suffering I will miss him dearly. But we will see each other again praise God.
Johnny Vega • Lancaster Boys Program Coordinator

Homelessness is not Hopelessness

Being homeless doesn’t mean I’m a bad person or a second – or even third – class citizen. Although many here at the Mission have chosen the wrong path in life and let alcohol or drugs take over their willpower, an unfortunate series of events have brought men and women here. I used to sit outside Chapel waiting to go in at night and watch as people drove by and stared at us. All those people in shiny new cars going by did not even realize that they are a paycheck away from homelessness themselves. I watched as parents dropped their son or daughter off thinking he or she needed to be taught a lesson in humility and responsibility when the parents could easily end up here too.

Take for example my roommates. The 3 women I share a dorm room with are all exceptionally bright, outgoing women who have all faced adversity of one kind or another head on and didn’t back down. They are courageous in their individual battles against homelessness but I know will be behind me in my struggle just as they know I am there for them. Black Martha, Blackie and Big Mama are the nicknames they were given here in our room upon their arrivals and will always be.

2 of our 4 will be departing soon to move on in their lives and grow further into happy fulfilled women. Many think that homelessness is a permanent solution to irresponsibility and addiction. In most cases there is no other option but to come to the Mission for help and guidance.

As we journey through life there is and always will be joyous times and tumultuous times.

God is there for each and every one of them…even if you’re homeless. Homelessness is not hopelessness.

Lamentations 3:25, 26 (NKJV), “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

Revelation 22:21 (NKJV), “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

- Sue, "Eyes Without A Home"

An Intro - 'Eyes Without A Home'

Hi! Our names are Sue and Nancy. We are both residents of the Women’s Shelter and both of us are part of what is known as ‘program.’ We are collaborating with staff to give you an inside perspective on what it is like to be homeless at Water Street. We hope that it is both informative and inspirational as you follow along with us on our journeys. But first a few words by way of introduction…

Sue is a Canadian. She first came to Water Street Ministries on August 2, 2010. She entered Community Shelter first and slept on mats for four months before moving up to Emergency Shelter on the 4th floor of Kuhn’s Hall. She is currently working on finding employment and housing while in the Woman's Program.

Nancy first came to Water Street Ministries on September 1, 2010 after being homeless for 9 months. Nancy is currently working at Brethern Village as a CNA. She is also working on housing with Tabor Community Services.

Both Sue and Nancy are thankful for the opportunity to share our experiences of homelessness with you. We hope that you will interact with us and respond to the blog. Any suggestions or questions for topics are welcome as well. We are working on having this put into book form and excited for next steps. Please pray for us as we look for the openings that are provided.

... Stay tuned for our next post called "Homelessness is not Hopelessness."

- Sue & Nancy, "Eyes Without A Home"