After 50 years... a new start

After 50 years of living for drugs and men, Christine* now has a changed life! She’s living drug-free, setting healthy boundaries in relationships and getting involved in a local church. She will soon move into an apartment all her own, a real change for a woman who has only ever lived with friends, family or even strangers. Knowing that the presence of money is a trigger for her returning to drugs, Christine has a payee to help her manage her income and bills.

Christine says she wants to live her next 50 years differently. “I’m filled with gratitude for this place,” she says of Water Street Rescue Mission.

*Name has been changed.

New Wonder Club classroom opens!

Earlier this fall we opened a brand new Wonder Club classroom right here on South Prince Street. The classroom is located in the same building as the Women's Shelter and the new Family Shelter. It is specifically designed to serve children living in the Mission. Please pray for our new teacher, Carmen Garber, as she leads this important new classroom.

Blue Ridge Cable channel 11 was here recently to visit the site... watch the video...

Overheard on campus...

Some resident comments[1] recently overheard that made me think …

From Michael (who is currently living in transitional housing): “Steve, isn’t it really great being able to have a private bathroom? I haven’t had a private bathroom in twenty years! Isn’t God good?”

From 40-something Hazel (who is parading around on the campus with a children’s baby doll): “Mr. Steve, I know I’m acting silly but I don’t care. I didn’t have a childhood and I kind of like being able to play with this doll and make other people laugh when they hear me speak through her!”

From Natalie (who accepted Christ into her heart while in the Women’s Shelter and is now at the Lydia Center): “I’m so glad I can read again! I read a lot when I was a child but literally could not comprehend words during the years I used drugs. When I accepted Christ into my heart I don’t know what happened but suddenly I could read again. I am reading voraciously now. It is so cool to be able to read again!”

-Submitted by Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries
[1] These are not their real names!

More staff thoughts...

Why I like working here:

It's a joy to work here at WSRM because everyone appreciates each other and to know that I am a part of God's mission here, even though a small part. I see God's kingdom here. Praise be Jesus!
-Bill Killian, IT

Seeing women reach their goals - school/work/their own place - and stay sober. And to see their excitement.
- Elaine Hostetter, Women's Ministry

Every new day the Lord continues to reveal Himself, His provisions and His ways. When there is a need for the camp it is great to see how and through what means the Lord will provide. He is always faithful! For example: we needed hamburger and so we prayed that the Lord would provide. The day we got it our freezer broke down as well, but within an hour He met that need as well and we had a new freezer full of fresh hamburger!
-Gina Frey, Teen Haven Camp

What has God taught me recently:

Matt 8:28 - the value of one person is worth more than the economy of a town.
- Jason Breckbill, IT

Leaving the outcome to God...

Not every client story has a happy ending. But I've come to watch and wonder about the ways in which God uses the Mission to prepare the ground in those clients who aren't yet ready to receive the life change Christ offers.

I think about one client who was with us for a month in the shelter. Some of her life goals - education, a career - were good goals, God-given. But the way she went about trying to acheive those goals involved manipulation and avoidance. For one whole month I watched staff continually work to help this client recognize that her life was unmanageable and that her way of relating to people involved using them.

Eventually, she left... and honestly we can't say that we saw much "progress." But at the same time, we cannot say that she left without hearing truth spoken in love. We have to leave the long-term outcome to God.

-Daral Boles, Women's Ministry

More reasons to get up with a smile...

I am excited about getting up in the morning and coming to work so that I can see what God has for me to do with and for the clients, and to hear what He has done in their life. I'm excited because I know that God is working in this place.

I know that God will transform lives and every day is a blessing.

- Mardester Thomas, Women's Ministries

I love the women... I want them to know they are loved. It is fun to get to know them, what their struggles are, and see them find hope for their future. It's rewarding to celebrate with them and to listen when they are upset. To be someone who cares when sometimes they have no one.

- Carissa Impink, Women's Ministries

Charred stones

What has God taught me lately...

God can use "Charred Stones."

In the book of Nehemiah, one of the enemies, Sanballat mocks Nehemiah and the Israelites saying, "Can they ever use these burnt stones, full of soot and ashes to rebuild the wall of the city?"

The Lord is teaching me that the people I work with (homeless women and families) are like these stones, and I am like these stones also. That through the Lord, these stones can be used. He sees the heart, that it can be restored, healed and made strong, becoming living stones.

I've struggled because many times I only see what is charred... the soot and ashes, the damaged lives and emotions, the lies and addictions, the battered and bruised hearts and lives. And I think that the damage is permanent. But the story of Nehemiah and the Israelites rebuilding the wall using burnt ash covered stones is a powerful one and it restored my vision and hope to see each person as precious and priceless. And to recognize that there is no limit or bounds to what God can and will do!

-Gentine Clark, Women's and Family Ministries