Brian

A few weeks ago, a young man named Brian Woolfolk, was killed on the streets of Philadelphia. Brian used to be a counselor for Teen Haven, and although he had his share of struggles, he recently recommitted his life to Christ, and had been getting together with Curtis Wayns, one of our counselors in Philly.

Curtis wrote the following tribute to his friend Brian:

Brian Dupree Davis-Woolfolk
Sunrise: October 23rd, 1986
Sunset: April 23rd, 2006

Brian, 19, was a true blessing to me, and I had the privilege of knowing and growing in Christ with him for 11 years. Brian accepted Christ as his personal savior at a young age, and was involved with Teen Haven in various ways, learning how to serve the Lord. He was an assistant supervisor, helping lead other youth to Christ, and trying his best to be a proper godly example in his life. He served in the kitchen at camp rubbing elbows with others while preparing food. He was one of my right hand men helping in the city ministry with clubs and activities, among other things.

Brian and I had a Paul and Timothy relationship, and his love for the Lord helped me in a lot of ways. We would go at it at times arguing, yelling, etc. Even when we had disagreements though, the Lord of course stepped in to mend and bond us closer to each other and to Him.

We always went at it in basketball, and after 10 years of trying, he finally beat me a couple of months ago. Score: Brian 32 Curt 18.

Almighty God, in His infinite wisdom, gently closed the eyes of our beloved Brian, and I will always still feel his presence. I feel him saying, “Don’t be sad, I’m home now.”

Brian had a favorite spiritual he would hum at time, “If it had not been for the Lord, where would I be?” I echo that big time!

Through his many struggles, Brian persevered, and his favorite verse he stood on was I Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” He did his best to make this verse alive in his young life.

I will miss his laugh, miss him making me laugh, miss our long talks on the steps and on the phone, and I am motivated even more to live my life in honor of Brian and the many more youth like him that I have grown with who are now home.

Rodney, Chris, Terrill, Gina, James, Hakeem, Daniel, Mike, Marvin, E.C., Yasin, Marc, Aaron, etc., echo everything written, and we all look forward to seeing you again eternally, in His time. We shall meet again, love you forever brother, son, buddy!!!

Blest by the Best – Curtis Wayns – I Cor. 15:57 – Teen Haven

His work done in His way

Because our shelter is open to homeless women and children, we meet ladies from every background and situation. The circumstances that bring women here are as many and varied as the women themselves. Life has not been kind to many of our residents, and many wounds go deep.

Coming to the mission as a women’s counselor after nearly 30 years in hospital administration, was much more than a breath of fresh air. Sharing Jesus with hurting women, lending a listening ear, seeking solutions to life’s problems within the pages of God’s Word, and praying with them for restoration and healing brings blessing beyond description.

And for this, I receive a paycheck! How I thank God for the privilege of sharing in His work. I thank Him, too, for my family – not perfect, but so much more than I deserve.

The phrase, “There but for the grace of God go I,” took on new meaning for me. Had I not had the blessing of believing parents, I too could be homeless, sharing my story with one of our counselors today.

- Vicki Bollman, Women’s Ministry Director

Thoughts from the new girl

So what brought me here?

I previously worked for Keystone Custom Homes in Willow Street. My main job was to assist my clients with $$ information as well as perform their final settlement, in which I got to place shiny new keys into their eager hands.

This was all GREAT, except for that feeling deep down inside that told me I wanted something more. I ignored it…for a long time, not really caring if I was supposed to be somewhere else… I was comfortable there OK?!

Ha-ha, funny how our comfort doesn’t always matter to God. It just so happened that every day on my way to Willow Street I would drive past Water Street- I believe my foot let off the gas each time I passed- I wanted to look at the people. Not because I wanted to mock or because I had a staring problem, but because something in my stomach gave me a funny feeling…it told me- even though I don’t know those people, I love them, and I want to help them.

Fast forward a few months.

*Amy gets suckered into buying three months of the Sunday Newspaper*

One Sunday after church I randomly flipped open the classifieds and saw in big letters “Water Street Rescue Mission”. Of course this caught my attention so I read on…

Several weeks later, I found myself in and out of an interview, and faced with a decision to make. (I did not major in decision making, there for this was a very difficult task.)

Do you ever find yourself faced with these thoughts and questions? :
“But God, I’m comfortable here!”
“My friends are here…”
“Why did I even have to see that ad in the paper? Life was so easy before this…”
“God, could you please speak a little louder? Because I’m not sure I’m hearing you right…you want me to go where?!”

Well, after lots of thought, prayer, WSRM blog reading etc. (Which by the way is one tool God used to bring me to a decision, I loved reading everyone’s thoughts and stories- it made me want to experience first hand God’s work at the mission). I finally came to a decision, which you are now all aware of.

Working here has been great so far. I do not regret the decision at all. Of course there are moments that seem overwhelming, but God’s peace reminds me how He brought me here. Plus, instead of just driving past the people I love every day, I get to see them, say hi to them, and hopefully soon build relationships with them.

Handing keys over to new homeowner’s was a joyful experience, but somehow it doesn’t quite compare to being a part of handing over eternal keys to a place we can all call home.

-Amy Wright, Development Assistant

Lessons from a minnow

I sit on a fallen log beside the creek allowing the sound of the water falling gently over the rocks to soothe and quiet my soul. The warmth of the sun warms me to the place where I need to shed my sweatshirt, but the cooling breeze keeps me from becoming too comfortable in my solitude. As I gaze contemplatively at the flowing water and listen to the chirping of the birds and insects in the woods, my eyes are drawn to a pool of water formed by the rocks in the creek bed. And there in that tiny pool, a little minnow swims. I watch as the minnow constantly moves with the water, struggling to swim against the current to stay in that little pool.

I can’t help but think to myself, “Why does he struggle so hard to stay in that pool? What is it about that particular spot that keeps him there? Why doesn’t he just let go and let the water carry him where it will – over that rock and into the next larger pool where there are more minnows swimming about against the current trying to stay in ‘their’ pool?”

And then I pause to wonder, “How many times am I like that little minnow? Do I swim against the flow of God’s ‘living water’ so that I can stay in my little pool of comfort? Do I resist the Spirit of God nudging me to move out of my comfort pool for unknown waters? If I let go, will God take me into a larger, unfamiliar pool with people who may or may not be my friends? Am I holding back on the blessings of newer, deeper pools because I am afraid to let go?”

I may not know what’s just over the rocks or further downstream, but this I do know – the One who created me, who placed me in the streams of my life, knows what is ahead. And not only does He know what is ahead, He’s been there before and prepared my way. All I need to do is stop fighting and let go!

-Lorraine Brandt, Wonder Club Director

When rescuing is not rescuing

Nobody likes to see loved ones hurting. Invariably, we consider that our part in the matter is to help stop the hurting. That is a normal and good instinct. However, what if the hurt is being caused by the loved one’s own choices? What then?

If we focus on the hurt instead of the behaviors that cause the hurt, we actually increase the long-term pain. Here’s what I mean: a person loses his job and family due to his drug use and ends up homeless. He decides to move back in with his mom & dad, who let him because they can’t stand to see him homeless. However, he doesn’t deal with the cause of his homelessness and continues to use drugs. Did the parents help? No. In fact they have actually interfered with the natural consequences that could have motivated him to quit his drug use. Their actions are likely to lead to further, more serious pain –and even death.

To be effective at helping addicted men (& women) move from bondage to freedom requires that we are strong enough, ourselves, to handle the pain of seeing those, whom we care about deeply, go through the natural consequences of their choices. We must help them with the problem not just the pain the problem causes.

Mostly, what helps addicted men to face their problems is to coach and cheer-lead them through what ever pain their choices have caused and urge them to get help, but don’t try to remove their pain directly.

In my own addiction, my recovery might have begun five years earlier than it did if the well meaning, misguided people around me would have let me experience the pain my decisions caused. Instead they rescued me from the pain, which enabled me to continue in my addiction even longer.

- Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

The Great Physician

Even those who provide health care get ill and struggle with what is wrong... why can’t the doctors figure it out and why is God allowing this to happen to me. I had been struggling with fatigue, swelling in my legs, difficulty breathing, chronic infections and increased general body aches for months! My family Dr had sent me to multiple specialists, some of the best in Lancaster, but alas no cardiologist or nephrologists could figure out what was wrong. They all agreed, yes, you are swelling and yes you need to stay on these medicines to keep the swelling down and your heart rate under control…but we don’t know why.

I trust that God knows all and loves me for He has seen me through life threatening illness and I’ve seen miracles by Him of miraculous cures in my 3 decades of caring for others. Of course I prayed, and prayed, and prayed…what is it Lord? I know you know! You are the great physician; you created us and know every detail about us and every hair on our head. You knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb.

But the months went by with no answer & I tried to accept that He is enough for me. I was also reminded of the persistent widow & how much more our heavenly Father loves me & listens to my requests. I walked daily in trust & in His strength! Asking & accepting what He had for me.

One cool evening my husband & I were sitting on our deck and I was again discouraged about not feeling well. I cried out in prayer to God & my husband, “Lord, I know you know what is wrong with me. Please tell me or the doctors treating me.” There are 2 things I want Lord, it’s not much. I want to be able to sing to you again (I had to quit ensemble at my church for I couldn’t both sing and breathe) and get off the pills that I was taking for they had side effects of their own. We sat & rocked for a little while longer on our deck swing, I felt better & once again knew that God is faithful and He hears my prayers.

The next day I was drawing blood on a woman living at the Mission who came to the Clinic to seek health care. I always love to hear their story while I am providing care and she was sharing some of her health concerns, which included problems with chronic infections due to drinking diet drinks. As soon as she said that I got this nudge of “Here is your answer!” I got excited inside for I knew as I ask her more details she was describing similar symptoms as mine and she admonished me to look up this as a health issue for some people and I assured her I would. As I found information on the effects some diet drink addictives have on people I found myself reading the story of my health for the previous months. I knew God had given me the answer through the “least of these”. All the educated health care providers, including myself, were dumbfounded, but God used a homeless woman to teach me what was wrong and how to solve the problem!

So how am I today? I cut the diet products out of my diet and slowly (with doctor approval) weaned myself off the medicines. I am singing to the Lord again (and breathing) and I’m off the medicines. I have energy and much less pain. Praise the Lord! I have learned God’s ways are not my ways and to be open to His teaching no matter in what form it may come!

-Gale Thomason, WSRM Clinic Director

Sometimes the ministry isn't where you expect it

Vinny is our Teen Haven Camp director, and there are hundreds of inner-city kids who would testify to his impact on their lives, many who would call him their spiritual father. But Vinny’s ministry stretches far beyond the kids who attend camp. And although he is viewed by most of the kids (and many staff) as a spiritual giant, there are times when he gets discouraged.

Last week was one of those times. A broken garage door, a temperamental well pump, leaking pipes in the Barnabas house, and fear of a major water line leak combined to weigh heavily on Vinny’s mind and heart.

In the midst of all this, God had a plan. When Monte, the plumber, arrived at camp to begin assessing our various problems, Vinny quickly recognized a hurting brother. Over the course of his two days working on the issues at camp (which he resolved quicker and more affordably than we could have hoped), the pain and fear that was eating away at the plumber’s heart and marriage bubbled to the surface… and Vinny was there to minister to him.

A compassionate ear, a shepherd’s heart, some sound advice born from experience, and a significant amount of prayer together and Monte left feeling that he had received much more than he had given. The discouragement in Vinny’s own heart was lifted as well when he saw that God used our camps physical problems for two greater purposes: to bring Monte to a place of healing and hope, and to remind us that He has a solution for every problem we face.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

Suffering... but not really

I took a day off Friday in order to travel to DC with my daughter Gabrielle on her school trip. Today I still feel the effect of a full day of walking all over downtown Washington with four very nice, but active 6th grade girls. I survived – barely – and we had a great time together! And the girls controlled the day. Not only did they choose their chaperone - me - but also the sites they wanted to see. Interestingly, all had a common desire to visit the Holocaust museum!

And the museum visit was moving. For two hours we observed the intricacies of the Holocaust from the rise of Nazi power through the implementation of the Final Solution. And the presentation was descriptive and well thought through. Yet after a time I began to sense a lack of feeling from what I was seeing. By the end of the museum walk most of my initial horror from seeing piles of corpses and the inner workings of the crematorium was gone. And I was amazed at how quickly I could become numb after so vividly being reminded of the gross inhumanity of the Holocaust.

How can I make sense of suffering in this world and how should I respond to it? I am not sure but can offer several thoughts:

• Personally, I have not experienced suffering to any great degree.
• We can become numb to the suffering around us – maybe as a way of ‘dealing’ with its presence by minimizing our consciousness of its reality.
• We can try to avoid the pain that suffering brings. Through the use of just about anything – substances, obsessions, relationships - we can blunt the immediate distress suffering brings. As a resident told me, ‘Steve, sometimes the quick relief (from pain) seems better than the long term consequences of my choices.’

It’s hard to argue with that logic when suffering. And suffering from minor pain or on the scale of the Holocaust doesn’t always make sense even to those of us who claim to follow Christ, the Suffering Servant. Consider what Eugene Peterson writes in the forward to the book, Embracing Brokenness:

"We have somehow ended up with a country full of Christians who consider suffering, whether it comes from a broken body or a broken heart, a violation of their spiritual rights. The only cross they seem to have any acquaintance with is a piece of cheap jewelry. Can anyone get their attention long enough to convince them that suffering must not be avoided, but embraced; that brokenness does not diminish a life of faith but deepens it?"

He asks a good question then proceeds with his comment on suffering:

" … suffering is not evidence of God’s absence, but of God’s presence and that it is in our experience of being broken that God does His surest and most characteristic salvation work. I think that (all) … can be persuaded that there is a way to accept, embrace, and deal with suffering that results in a better life, not a worse one, and more of the experience of God, not less."

"Lord, help me to seek to hear you when I suffer in any way."

-Steve Brubaker, Director of Residential Ministries

Why I came to work today...

God has a great sense of timing when it comes to reminding me why I come to work at the Water Street Rescue Mission, where we are engaged in the Ministry of rescue – yet we are totally incapable of rescuing anyone.

Take Luis, who I met at Turkey Hill this morning. I have known Luis for 13 years – a regular at WSRM – and usually when I see him, he is either working on getting drunk or working on sobering up. As I watched Luis stumble around the Turkey Hill, the raw odor of urine and beer filled the store. Customers went out of their way to avoid him did not hide their disgust as they moved to avoid any contact with him or his space.

I Love Luis – because he reminds me of myself, and because Jesus loves me in spite of how smelly I have become. Paul writes in 1Cor. 6:9-11:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (Emphasis mine).

Or as Eugene Peterson writes in “The Message”;
Don’t you realize that this is not the way to live? Unjust people who don’t care about God will not be joining in His kingdom. Those who use and abuse each other, use and abuse sex, use and abuse the earth and everything in it, don’t qualify as citizens in God’s kingdom ...

How often do we stop here in our judgment of others... If I stop here I am running from Luis and avoiding him.... missing out on his smile and kind words... offered with a handshake and a joke....

A number of you know from experience what I’m talking about, for not so long ago you were on that list. Since then you’ve been cleaned up and given a fresh start by Jesus, our Master, our Messiah, and by our God present in us, the Spirit.

Lord, as I meet people today, no matter how smelly they might seem, help me to remember just how bad I look and smell – and the awesome Love and Grace you poured out in me. May I be a vessel of your grace and mercy, that others might experience a fresh start.

Thanks for the smile Luis, and the timing God... and that’s why I came to work today....

-Rick Rutter, Outreach Ministries Director

Lessons from the workplace...the Lydia Center

A few stray tears spilled over and ran down my cheeks as I processed the news I’d just been given. I was sitting in the business office at the Lydia Center where I work, and the director, Lori, had just told me of another lady who was going to be leaving our program. She was the third of four during that week in February.

Sadly and with a heavy heart I asked Lori, “When will they get it?” She gently reminded me how the Lord must ask the same question as he looks at the choices we make. Later as we as staff processed the leaving of so many women in such a short time, Lori shared Matthew 23:37, “o Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”

At the Lydia Center I feel I am experiencing a bit of the heart of God as I walk alongside women and observe some of the poor choices some make as they choose to return to old lifestyles or refuse to allow the Lord to penetrate their hearts. Sometimes I feel as Jesus, weeping over Jerusalem. My disappointment and grief of the hardness of their hearts can only be a fraction of what the Lord Himself experiences.

Simultaneously, I am humbled over and over by what Lori pointed out that day to me. How many times does the Lord shed those same tears that I shed in the office as He observes my pride and refusal to allow Him lordship over every area of my life? May I be found continually surrendering all of my life and choices to the Lord.

-Lorene Brubaker, Lydia Center counselor

The Uninsured - Giving them a voice

Never mix politics & religion? But what about health insurance and a faith based health clinic? They do intersect. Do I get involved Lord? As a Christian faith based clinic we are providing medical & dental care to the homeless uninsured. How frustrating each day as we care for people with serious health issues but they don’t have access to the testing, specialists and medicines that are available to those who are insured. “Cover The Uninsured” is America’s national initiative to get health coverage for all Americans as Congress’s top priority www.covertheuninsured.org .

Don’t make too many quick judgments now on who are the uninsured. There are 46 million uninsured in America of which 11 million are children. In Lancaster County, with our population of 450,000, we have a 12% uninsured rate which equals about 54,000 of which 11,000 are children. 30% of the uninsured are working! The census of the Water Street Clinic grows 15-20% each year (6,000+ visits in 2005) with an increasing portion (current about 30%) not living at WSRM. They are the former homeless who now have jobs and a place to live, but still no insurance. As we see this ever growing portion of our friends & neighbors without health insurance, we are opening the new Water Street Clinic to qualified uninsured in the community in 2007.

You probably know someone that doesn’t have health insurance (and they aren’t living at the Mission). I know I do…my daughter and her husband are without insurance. They are in their early 20’s, both working, and their employers can’t afford to offer them health care. Do I worry some over this, yes! I also pray that the Lord will keep them safe & healthy.

So who can solve this growing and seemingly insurmountable & unsolvable problem? Is it clinics like ours from the faith community that should fill the gap? Is it the government’s sole responsibility? Is it business that must provide health care for all of their employees? Is it the individual’s responsibility to acquire health coverage for himself? Let the insurance industry solve the problem? As I work daily in the systems and read about the issues and problems on both a national and local level I see that it is EVERYONE’S issue. We must work together, with Congress (for the insurance issues are heavily government regulated) to find the answers. Do not expect them to come up with a solution without your help & input. The answers are not easy & money is often the barrier in all solutions.

Jesus says the poor will always be among us which helps me not to be discouraged about the needs. The world’s issues are His to bear, but we/I am to be the voice for one person at a time. Jesus also tells us when we serve the “least of these” we are ministering to Him. I ask that you become involved, contact your congressman (both federal & state - their contacts are easily accessible on line) tell them how important this issue is to you, get involved in events that keep the issues of the uninsured in the limelight…be their voice! Come and help care for those in need at the Water Street Clinics, or others providing care to the uninsured. I challenge you to help put Water Street Clinic out of business! Don’t worry, the poor will always be among us and we will have plenty of other work to do.

- Gale Thomason, WS Clinic Administrator

Do I really believe in eternity?

I was heading out to a meeting this afternoon and picked up a book that I wanted to share with the person I was meeting with. Out of the book fell an index card with some thoughts I wrote down about 13 years ago, shortly after starting work at the mission. Having recently moved into a new house to accommodate my growing family, I find myself being challenged by my younger self.

My desires for comfort (and luxury, stability, and the material) betray the fact that I don’t have the attitude of a “stranger and foreigner in this world.” If I really knew that my true home was in heaven, why would I spend so much (time, money, and effort) to make myself at home here?

My attitude should be more like that of a man visiting an underdeveloped foreign country looking to help the people there. As far as his own accommodations, he only provides himself with the bare minimum of what he needs so his efforts can be focused outwards.

When I spent a week working in Appalachia during High School, I slept on a concrete floor in a room with 20 other smelly guys, showered in a basement room called “the pit of despair,” and ate low-grade mass-produced casseroles reheated multiple times… and I never complained once. I was even quite grateful for what I had because I had come as an outsider seeking to help the hurting people of that region – my comfort was not a priority (or even much of a thought). Plus, I was only going to be there for a week or so.

One week compared to the rest of my life is actually much greater than my lifetime compared to eternity. Shouldn’t I be just as willing to live “comfortless” while a “stranger in this world” waiting to be called to my eternal home.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

Blessed to serve

I often said that when I could retire I would do volunteer work. Well! I haven’t quite yet, but decided I have a few hours to spare! My husband attended a meeting for volunteers at WSRM and came home with a long list of areas in need of help. I noticed the clinic was in need of extra hands, so I asked the Lord if this is where he could use me. After a couple of weeks of praying and thinking it over, His answer was yes.

I called the clinic and spoke to Gale Thomason and made an appointment. When I arrived I was a bit nervous about the new experience. But to my surprise Millie, the staff nurse, put me right to work. Wow! What a fulfilling experience. It’s also been two-fold: I am learning so much as a new nurse and am also helping others in need.

My son asked me if I felt safe, a misconception many people have. I replied that the people who come to the clinic treat me with such respect and kindness that I never thought about being unsafe. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity and look forward to returning each week. If it is just to pat a hand, lend an ear or help someone feel a bit better before seeing the doctor, this is true nursing!

- Claudette L. Murphy, LPN

And if you spend yourself on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Isaiah 58:10

Becoming Oaks

Today I’ve been working on the plans for a leadership retreat for our Teen Haven youth and some of our partnering churches. I’m really struggling coming up with a “catchy”, or “hip”, or “urban” sounding title for it. And I’ve finally decided (with help from Lisette –one of our staff) that it doesn’t really matter.

The point is the content, the fellowship, and the investment we will be making in our youth that weekend, not whether we have a great title or fancy brochure that gets the kids hyped up for it. On that weekend, we will be talking about the potential that resides in each of these youth to become an “oak of righteousness” (check out Isaiah 61:1-4) and the impact they can have on their cities. (Maybe some other time I’ll share how God has been challenging me through these verses)

Each of the teens that are involved in Teen Haven is like an acorn, full of the incredible potential to become a towering oak. But just like an acorn, certain things need to be present in their lives to bring that potential to its fruition.

An acorn needs 1- the right kind of soil, 2- sufficient water and sun, 3- fertilizer, and 4- timely pruning and care to reach its ultimate potential.

Each of our youth needs 1- to be planted in a nurturing environment (home or church family), 2- to be fed by the Word of God and times of communion with the Lord, 3- the presence of trials that mold and build us up in our faith, 4- timely refining and pruning in our lives to help us remove the things that hold us back from being what God wants us to be.

I may never come up with just the “right” title for our retreat, but as long as each teen who attends that weekend leaves knowing the incredible potential that God has created in them and desiring to see that potential realized, I’ll be happy.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

A "routine" taxi run

I came into work one morning knowing I had to take one of the shelter guys to MH/MR for an appointment. Before I knew it, two other gentlemen were joining us – one needing a ride to the bus station, and one just needing to talk.

As we started on the road it wasn't long before Brad (the one catching a bus) started sharing. He started out by saying how thankful he was for the mission. Brad works delivering trucks all over the country, and he was catching a bus back to Wichita, Kansas where he lives. He delivered a truck in the Lancaster area and then because of a mix-up and argument with his dispatcher, he missed his bus and needed a place to stay. Someone told him about the mission. He said he had a good meal, great musical chapel service and then a good sleep - mentioning how helpful everyone was. He actually said he was glad that he got stranded. He was reminded he needs to let the Lord have control of his life again. He could do nothing but give thanks and ended by giving thanks to God for a very inconvenient but wonderful change in his plans.

As Brad was talking, he started rubbing off on Mike, a blind man who is also very glad he came to the mission and is so thankful for the help he is receiving and is excited about the possibility of getting some part time work – he had an interview the next Monday.

Then as I began to talk with the 3rd passenger it was rather dreary - he also is stranded - from Ohio. Ron is at least temporarily disabled - from a September fall off a roof where he broke both ankles. He has pain as he walks. He had a chance at a temporary job, but a “friend” left him hanging. So here Ron is with no money, no way to make money and no friends who can send him money. I encouraged him to join the program and let God change the direction of his hopeless life. He is considering.

Finally, I got back to the mission and met a man who was born in Vietnam and had just gotten out of jail. He is also happy for the help he is getting here and was excited when he found out I knew his pastor here in Lancaster!

In the course of making a routine trip one morning, I ended up fellowshipping with:
a rejoicing man from Kansas who had his life pleasantly interrupted;
a rejoicing blind man who is glad to be off drugs in his right mind and with a plan;
a man from Ohio who suddenly found himself in a strange place and state and now has to consider which direction his life will take;
and a Vietnamese man whom I’ve never met before, but I know his pastor!

What an exciting place to work! I never know who I'll meet! God is on the move!!! Granted it isn't always so rewarding, although then I probably wouldn’t appreciate the unusual times.

-Chuck Albrecht, Chaplain

God's plan, not mine

The Lord has a wonderful sense of humor and puts up with a lot of foolishness in us, His children. I can't count how many times I have heard people say that they held back from yielding to Jesus because they were afraid He would ask them to give up all they loved and do something they hated.

When I was a little girl I wanted to be a nurse, serving the Lord. But in my teens I found that I loved to help the younger girls understand their homework, and my goal changed to becoming a teacher, serving the Lord. In college I saw those who sat behind a desk typing and answering the phone, and thought how boring that must be. I would never want to do that!

I started out as a teacher of French in the elementary grades. (Don't ask me to speak French now! That was over forty years ago!) Then babies came along and I was nurse, teacher and scrub woman at home for several years.

When I returned to the work force I asked the Lord to open the right door… and where should I land but in a front office, behind a desk, typing and answering the phone!

In a secular company, I found my assignment and my challenge were to live the love and integrity of Jesus in such a way as to make people hungry for a Lord they had no time for. It is still my challenge, and it is anything but boring!

- Eunice Kolb, WSRM Receptionist

What can we do for you?

The great poet, Bob Dylan, asks this question, 'You have given everything to me, what can I do for you?' This line reflects an utter humility and dependency on the God of the universe. It also portrays the vast gulf between God's demands - even His love - and our ability to save ourselves.

To me, Dylan hits the proverbial nail on the head. And this thought speaks to both staff and residents here. Staff needs to rely on God and operate within God's grace - and live as though we really need God - because we do! And our residents need to get the idea that though we occupy different roles this side of heaven, all - staff and residents alike - have been given everything and can do nothing but respond to God with graciousness and humility.

And Dylan concludes,

'Pulled me out of bondage,
You made me renewed inside,
Filled up a hunger that had always been denied.
You opened up a door no man can shut and You opened it up so wide...
And You've chosen me to be among the few,
What can I do for you?'

Good question for all of us Bobby!

-Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries Director

Meditation

What is one of the most exciting experiences in my life?

• Joshua 1 and Psalm 1 tie this activity to success.
• I have had the joy of sharing this with clients and have personally experienced the benefits from this activity while at Liberty University.
• A day I had been deeply troubled, the sorrow turned to joy when involved with this.
  

The activity is meditation on Scripture.

My father told me that all forms of meditation are passive except for meditation on Scripture. It starts with memorizing a passage of Scripture and studying it to understand. From there meditation can begin. This involves personalizing the passage in prayer, then repeating the section, emphasizing a different word, and finally defining each word as far as possible in its context.

This activity redirects the mind, will and emotions.

The goal is not to feel good (that is a benefit), but glorifying God in communion with Him.

-Michael Haines, chaplain

Recycled

(inspiration: saw an empty bucket in the trash while gazing out the window of the Men’s Emergency Shelter while on “desk duty” at 3:00am):

An empty bucket has a story to tell
That’s much the same as yours and mine;
Where as we were once full of promise
Now we have reached the end of the line.

Contents are empty, with nothing left to give
Tossed aside, discarded, thrown away on a whim;
Viewed by most as being totally worthless
No longer useful, the future dark and grim.

When suddenly, from the darkness, a hand reaches in
Pulling us from the trash heap with a warm tender smile,
“I can make something beautiful from this vessel”
Something all else would consider vile.

With a thorough cleansing, inside and out;
After a careful inspection and a period of rest
The vessel is granted new life and refilled
To be used as the “Rescuer” deems best.

With an attitude of gratitude, a sense of purpose renewed
We the vessels have a new lease on life
Recycled, replenished and now fit for His use
Blessed to be freed from Satan’s web of turmoil and strife.

-Don, WSRM resident

Fear

It was a Friday evening and my weekend to work in the shelter. I was feeling fearful because I had been out sick the day before and wasn’t really sure what I may be walking into (each day/evening is different). Plus, it was my wedding anniversary and I really wanted to be out having a nice dinner with my husband.

As the evening started my stomach churned in fear and in my mind was racing of fearful thoughts like “what’s going to happen” or “what may happen?”

I then remembered a verse from I John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear….” As I repeated this verse over and over in my mind throughout the evening going about my various tasks, my fears disappeared.

Later in the weekend, I had a couple of opportunities to comfort some children who were ill or who needed some help to get to bed. As I sang to them “Jesus loves me…” the song reminded me again of how God’s love is bigger than circumstances or me.

God’s perfect love drives out fear and since we are God’s children we can rest in his loving arms.

-Mary Minnich, Women’s counselor

Fellowship and fun in the mail room

My name is Shirley Dabler. I have been a volunteer with the Mission for about 12 ½ years. I had decided early on to offer my time and talents with the Mission upon my retirement from my profession. My reason for doing so was to be able to give back to the community. I was so blessed to have worked for my company for 40 years—I wanted to take the talents God gave me, and use them for the good of others.

My main duty at Water Street is helping to get the monthly mailings processed and out the door. For about six years I have been the Team Leader of the mail crew. I must say the experience has been both challenging and very rewarding. One of the greatest gifts I have received is the fellowship and friendship among the group. It sort of became like a family. Although we work very hard, the times of laughter and fun outweigh the task at hand.

Don’t miss your opportunity to use your gifts that can affect the lives of others. To see the life of someone change because of something you do is the most rewarding gift in life.

-Shirley Dabler, volunteer

No shoes allowed?

You are walking into work and you notice a sign on the front door. As you get closer, you read “NO SHOES OR SOCKS ALLOWED”. In order to be obedient you take off your shoes and socks, putting your socks into your shoes so that you don’t lose them. You keep on your way, but then feel something mushy on your foot. Looking down you are a little startled to see dirt and bugs all over the floor. You think, “This will be an interesting day…..

The Wonder Club children (Kindergarten and Pre-K) experienced this one morning during chapel time, except for the dirt. We did have bugs on the floor, but they were plastic. In order for the story to come alive for the children, we had the children imagine being back in Jesus’ day and walking bare feet through anything… bugs, dirt, mud and so forth. Then we retold the story of Jesus washing his friends’ feet. The children were reminded how Jesus would have been gentle and loving while washing their feet.

Now, it was their turn. The children were partnered up and used baby wipes to wipe their friend’s feet. To get everyone involved, the teachers also participated. As the music played, the children and teachers wiped. They got to experience loving others as Jesus did and being loved by Jesus.

-Nicole Imhof, Wonder Club Teacher

It's about real change

When I first met Norm he was bitter, full of rage and ready to ‘go off’ over just about any issue. He was scary. One morning I saw Norm standing across the street from the Portland Rescue Mission yelling obscenities as if the building was a person. I don’t know why, but I walked across the street and asked if I he wanted to talk. Norm seemed to calm when I talked with him. I enjoyed talking with him, even though I was afraid of him.

Norm came and went from the shelter for a few months. Then one day the Director came to me and said that Norm would be joining the mission’s “NewLife” program. I sarcastically said, “Who’s going to have to work with him?” He replied, “You are.” I was terror struck. Sharing occasional brief conversations with Norm was scary enough, but being closed into a counseling room alone with him seemed downright foolish.

Over the next three years of working with Norm my fears gave way to a deep abiding love. We chased every rabbit down every trail and he finally softened and began to listen. The changes were profound. Norm soon began to disciple the new men coming into the program.

When I left Norm in Portland he had become a staff member at the mission. During the 1 ½ years that Norm and I were apart he continued to grow in his walk with the Lord. The Lord eventually convinced Norm that he was headed for the ministry. Norm contacted me and asked if I would help him work through some more issues while equipping him for ministry.

Norm is now here with me at Water Street. He is an Intern, training hard in all aspects of our ministry. Already he is proving himself to be an effective channel of God’s grace to our men. Norm is a genuine success story, a living testimony to the power God’s love to change lives.

-Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

Prayer to the Master Gardener

Father,

I want to thank you for replanting my life (bulb) into your garden. You have removed me from the thorny and weedy garden plot were I could not live or survive.

You Father, The Gardener, gently lifted my bulb and transplanted me among all your other beautiful, full-bloom, fragrant and always in season, flowers and plants in your vibrant garden. You prune my weakened leaves and transform me to health. You strengthen my Love and Honor to you, Father. Your Love for me puts the nutrients in my roots as you strengthen my faith in you, Father.

I am blessed to have you as my Master Gardener (Father).

You have blessed me with such a Father loving family, such a variety of Brothers and Sisters; you have placed me among your best bouquet. I have always sensed your presence in my daily life.

I know that storms, hail and wind will from time to time damage us or even kill us. We know that you will always tend to us and if we don’t survive you will move our bulbs and roots into your Heavenly Garden.

Thank You, Father for adopting me, loving me and treating me as your own. Thank You for teaching and sharing with me, your ways.

-First Bloom, Pauljay, Learning Center Graduate

License to drive

I grew up in a pretty typical suburban family. It still amazes me how many of the things that were “normal” to my experience growing up (things that I take for granted) can be extraordinary in the life of a kid growing up in the city. I could share many, many examples.

Today, I’m thinking about driving a car… when I turned 16, I took my permit exam, and about a week later passed the test to get my license, and I’ve been driving ever since. No big deal, just like riding a bike.

Not quite the same experience for most of the kids we work with. A license is a rarity, access to a car - a luxury, motivation and support from parents to pass your test – often non-existent. So many of the teens we work with never get a license, or else struggle through the process. 8 years ago, when I ran a “driving club” at our Lancaster youth center to help kids learn to drive, only 2 of the 10 who started actually got their license (although maybe that’s more a reflection on their teacher…naah).

With this in mind, I was ecstatic when I received this understated email from John (our Philadelphia Field Director) about Aaron, a Teen Haven alumni and camp counselor:

Aaron is in his early twenties. Like many city kids, he did not get his drivers license while a teenager. He told me that he wanted me to teach him to drive. So I used my personal car on the Philadelphia zoo parking lot and had several sessions with him. Last Thursday I met him at the Island Avenue Penndot center at 8:30 in the morning. He used my car to take his test and passed. He is very happy about this.

Sometimes it’s about the “little” things that aren’t so little.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

We need each other

Last week we had a meeting with male and female program staff. Now that doesn’t sound like a big deal until you realize that everyone is incredibly busy and our census (the number of residents) is high so it’s difficult meshing staff calendars. And it is extremely easy to unthinkingly operate more as a Martha than a Mary when so often the latest crisis and our ever-present "day-timer" govern our agenda!

Adding to the mix was the intention of the meeting – to develop a philosophy of ministry that could be embraced by all program staff! Talk about a difficult task!

And I can say this – the meeting went very well! Now quite honestly, the philosophy of ministry statement is yet unformed. But I am gently reminded of this: that we are more effective and reflect Christ more clearly when we work together and value the contributions of all. Stay tuned.

-Steve Brubaker, Director of Residential Ministries

In plain sight

Have you ever driven the same streets, oblivious to the changes that are taking place, until one day you notice a building seemingly appear out of thin air? It happened to me yesterday as I was driving home from softball practice. I was following the same route I drive every day when picking my daughter up from Pre-K, and I saw two churches I knew existed, however, I never saw – really saw – their houses of worship until yesterday afternoon.

My Wednesday mornings can be like that too. I gather with pastors from the city for prayer and then we eat together at McDonalds and share ideas and thoughts for how we can be united in ministry in Lancaster City. On my way, I often walk in past people I know from WSRM, but sometimes I struggle to SEE them – really SEE them – because of how my SEEING them would interfere with my morning agenda. If I SEE them, I might have to be obedient and actually do what I am going there to talk about doing (OUCH).

The part that hurts the most is that I remember when I was invisible too.

Anyway, I reread the following essay that was posted on ‘The Purpose Driven Life website on March 30th, 2oo6. It was written by John Fischer and I originally read it on Larry James’ Urban Daily weblog. I pray that the Lord would open the eyes of my heart to see Him and His ... every time I go by.

-Rick Rutter, Outreach Ministries Director

The following essay was posted on The Purpose Driven Life website on March 30, 2006. Written by John Fischer, I found it on Larry James Urban daily Weblog. Who are you missing on your daily trek’s through town?
_________________________________________________
“In plain sight, yet invisible at the same time.” This statement struck me from a newsletter I received on behalf of an inner city worker. It was how one person described a time when she was at a low point of homelessness in her life. “Out of sight, out of mind” was one thing, she said, but to be “in plain sight, yet invisible at the same time” was the worst.

This has to strike a cord in all of us. Our societies are so fragmented now that there can exist a great divide separating us from the people we encounter every day. Here in southern California, just to drive from one place to another you can pass through districts of enormous racial, social, and economic disparity. I can’t imagine it is much different in any other city. In such an environment, I can feel the temptation to make whole people groups invisible to me so I don’t have to deal with what scares me or what I don’t understand about them. But if my purpose is to serve, I don’t get to write anyone off. Part of serving is seeing. And part of seeing is becoming sensitive to the invisible people who are in plain sight.

It appears that Jesus was always drawing a crowd made up primarily of invisible folks. It was a lame, blind, leprous, and insane group of left-behinds that seemed to gather around him wherever he went – people who if society had some place to put them so they would be out of the way it would. But since they can’t be put away anywhere, they become invisible. But not to Jesus.

Making people invisible is also a way we can avoid being called into service. “If I make eye contact with that guy, he might ask something of me.” Well of course he will! (I know what I’m talking about here, because I’m always trying to get off the hook.) And if I don’t have money to give him, I have something. Perhaps it starts with seeing him, and then I might discover what to do. Peter once healed a lame man begging by the road, because he didn’t have any money to give him. Imagine that! Well I don’t have any money, but I can heal you and completely turn your life around from here on out!

No one is invisible to Jesus. And if you and I have Jesus, we have something to give. For starters, we have the gift of seeing someone, and for someone who has been invisible in plain sight for a long time, that is an incredible gift in and of itself.

A place of grace

Last night I was at the annual banquet of the York Rescue Mission – a fellow member of our 300 member Rescue Mission association. It was a nice banquet with singing, testimonies, and special presentations. However, I was particularly struck by the stories of the former guests of the Mission. They had the same stories as many of the men and women guests I have gotten to know at Water Street Rescue Mission:

A life of pain and difficulty
…numerous attempts to escape by self effort
…descent to emptiness
…surrender of self to God
…transformation of the heart that infuses hope, joy and power into life
…then pain and difficulty, again
…but this time, with a power to live above it.

I was convicted by the reality of this pattern in my own life. There are things in my life that are painful and difficult and my first reaction is too often to deal with it by self effort. A process which seldom produces peace that is sustainable.

As I listened to the testimonies last night, I had to wonder: Since I know that surrender of self to God provides a grace to live above the pain and difficulties, why I am so slow or reluctant to surrender? At times I suspect it could be my stubbornness, or perhaps I am often not sure how or what to surrender. Regardless, I am grateful for God’s perseverance with me and for friends who walk with me thru the pain to find that place of grace.

It was a blessing to be reminded of the power and grace of God to deliver us from our own humanity.

-Jere Shertzer, WSRM President

Give us some feedback (please)

Hi everyone -

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Where I am in life...

My name is Bill. I was born in Philadelphia and raised in the Richard Allen Project. In 1959, we moved to Germantown where I grew up in a poor environment within a dysfunctional family. I experienced the negative effects of poverty, mental illness within family members, mental abuse and physical beatings. As a result, I suffered from depression and low self-esteem which led me into drug and alcohol use.

When I grew older, I began to live with my girlfriend and we had a son together. However, I did not treat her well, and we finally broke up and she left taking my son with her. I continued my downward path which included having to deal with my mother and elder brothers’ mental illness. As well as that, I was also responsible for taking care of my two younger brothers. All this time, I was trying to deal with my own depression.

I finally ended up in a rehab program in 1998. It was there that I was first introduced to God and His love for me. I welcomed these new ideas because they brought me comfort. When I left the program, I once more became immersed in my old problems with my family. I found that my new awareness of God was not enough to keep me from falling back into my old ways. I groveled around in Philadelphia for a while falling into and out of meaningless little jobs.

I finally hit rock bottom and turned in desperation to my younger brother, Warren who had moved to Lancaster to attend Millersville University. I followed him to Lancaster and found a place to stay… Water Street rescue Mission. This is where I finally met God in a life changing way.

What happened next? Well that will be in the next installment…. WATCH THIS SPACE.

-Bill, WSRM resident

A phone call

Today, I received another call from someone mistaking Teen Haven for a detox center or drug and alcohol rehab facility (we get these calls occasionally, sometimes because people mix up Teen Haven with Teen Challenge – an excellent Christ-centered rehab program).

Honestly the way I handle these calls can depend on how my day is going and how busy I am. Sometimes, I will fumble through my files and provide phone numbers to the person in need (usually a parent or friend of the person with the substance abuse issue), other times when I’m really busy, I may only provide the name of a program or just politely let them know that Teen Haven isn’t a rehab program.

For some reason, today I lingered for a while and talked with the mother of Michael, a 20-year-old who is using cocaine and slowly destroying his life and his relationships with those who love him most. While directing her to some ministries that hopefully can provide her and her son some help, I realized that God had a small role for me to play at this moment in this woman’s life whom I had never met.

As she shared her brokenness and fear and tears and lack of faith, I was able to reassure her that the God she knows and who loves her and her son more than she ever could, is still present even when things are dark. And that He is more than able to deliver her son, if Michael is willing. It may happen instantly (the way she was delivered from her alcohol addiction) or it may be a long, exhausting struggle. But either way, God will be with both her and her son as they walk through this. (Isaiah 43:1-3)

As we prayed together before saying good-bye, I thanked God for causing me to pause and listen rather than rushing off the phone and back to the task I had been working on when she called. Occasionally, I get so busy doing “ministry” work that I miss the ministry opportunities that God puts before me, today He allowed me to recognize and respond to one. “Thanks God.”

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

The best job in the world

I have the best job. Day after day, phone call after phone call, email after email, people contact me to give. They offer their skills, their talents, their time, their love for Jesus. It truly is rewarding to see Christians putting their faith into action by volunteering to serve at the Water Street Rescue Mission.

Sometimes, though, despite having the best job in the world, it is easy for me to get frustrated. Thoughts like “No! Not another volunteer application to process!” and “I’m not going to answer the phone one more time today, no matter what they want to give!” sneak in and try to steal the blessings that God is trying to give.

I was having one of those days the other week. You know, the kind of day that adheres to Murphy’s Law that everything that can go wrong, will. I was feeling overwhelmed and had definitely forgotten that I had the best job in the world. I flew in to the mail room to get my mail on the way to accomplishing another task, but Lorraine, the Director of the Wonder Club, stopped me.

“Carissa, I was thinking that it would be really great to have a volunteer who was willing to teach music to our children. Could you start trying to recruit someone for that position? Maybe we could try to have someone in place for next fall.”

I responded that I would work on that for her, all the while thinking that here was just another thing to try to squeeze into my already packed schedule. I smiled, but I wasn’t overly excited about the new task I had just been given.

I picked up my mail, and went back to my desk. I opened the first piece of mail to find a volunteer application that needed to be processed. Oh great, like I need more of these, was my overwhelmed response.

Then I flipped the application over to the part where the applicants list the positions they are applying for. There, written in the margin was a comment to the effect of, “I didn’t see a position listed anywhere, but would love to teach music if there is an opening. I especially have a passion for preschool-age children.”

Of course, I jumped out of my seat and ran wildly to the mail room to where Lorraine was still working and told her how God had provided in record time. What does that verse say? I think it’s something about God knowing our needs before we even ask…

Yes, I have the best job. And even when I forget that, God has a way of blessing until I remember.

-Carissa Martin, Volunteer Coordinator

God's heart for the poor

I have always counted it a privilege to work with the poor and homeless but I never thought of it as work specifically blessed by God. However when you look at what the Scriptures say, it is true. (Proverbs 19:17, 21:13, 22:9, Isaiah 22:16 to name a few)

God has a specific concern for the poor; I always knew this and it motivated me to work in this population. But, I had never thought about the personal benefits of serving the poor. God assures us this work is blessed and we can be involved with a people of great concern to God and close to his heart.

Working at the medical clinic has given me a wonderful opportunity to observe firsthand lives changed by the grace of God and a chance to serve the poor with my nursing skills. However the greatest benefit I now realize: I can be involved with a work God considers vital and is completely blessed.

I have selected several quotes from Bono’s (yes, the lead singer of U2) speech at the National Day of Prayer Breakfast which apply to the poor in general and may help explain some of what I wrote.

"Look, whatever thoughts you have about God, who He is or if He exists, most will agree that if there is a God, He has a special place for the poor. In fact, the poor are where God lives. Check Judaism. Check Islam. Check pretty much anyone.

I mean, God may well be with us in our mansions on the hill… I hope so. He may well be with us as in all manner of controversial stuff… maybe, maybe not… But the one thing we can all agree, all faiths and ideologies, is that God is with the vulnerable and poor.

God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house… God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives… God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war… God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them.

'If you remove the yolk from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom with become like midday and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places'

It’s not a coincidence that in the Scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It’s not an accident. That’s a lot of air time, 2,100 mentions. [You know, the only time Christ is judgmental is on the subject of the poor.] ‘As you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.’ (Matthew 25:40). As I say, good news to the poor.

.... A number of years ago, I met a wise man who changed my life. In countless ways, large and small, I was always seeking the Lord’s blessing. I was saying, you know, I have a new song, look after it… I have a family, please look after them… I have this crazy idea…

And this wise man said: ‘Stop.’

He said, ‘Stop asking God to bless what you’re doing. Get involved in what God is doing—because it’s already blessed.’

Well, God, as I said, is with the poor. That, I believe, is what God is doing. And that is what He’s calling us to do."

02.02.06 BONO'S REMARKS TO THE NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST Entire speech if you are interested: http://www.data.org/archives/000774.php

-Kim Herr, RN staff, Water Street Medical Clinic

Simple words, great power

Many of the men and women who live at the mission are used to being treated as second-class citizens in our society. Many of them have poor self-esteem and have come to expect to be eyed with suspicion.

One man who lived at Water Street received a daily paycheck from his employer. He was expected to pay a program fee on all of his income, but after several weeks he got tired of making daily payments in my office. He began to wait until he had 3 or 4 paychecks, then came in to pay fees on all of them at one time.

After a rather long stretch of days without payment, he came to my office and said, “Thank you for your forbearance, Mr. Ron. I’ve been late a number of times.”

I offhandedly replied, “I know I can count on it coming in.”

He soon moved out of the mission into an apartment. A few weeks later I received a thank you card in which he had written about my verbal response. He wrote, “Mr. Ron, I want you to know that that was one of the finest compliments I’ve ever been given!”

I’m reminded of how easy it is to use words for building up rather than tearing down.

-Ron Pawling, Bookkeeper/Client Services

That's God Talking

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?
That’s God talking to you through the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to?
That’s God wanting you to talk to Him.

Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven’t seen in a long time and then the next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them?
THAT’S GOD. There is no such thing as coincidence.

Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn’t even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you needed, but couldn’t afford?
THAT’S GOD knowing the desires of your heart.

Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it was going to get better, how the hurting would stop, how the pain would ease, but now you look back at it?
THAT’S GOD passing us through tribulation to see a brighter day.
- Lane, resident at WSRM

Typical night?

You may have the perception that as a counselor here at the mission we spend a lot of time sitting behind a desk counseling women. While this is true, there is also the opportunity to be stretched beyond the normal counselor duties when the unexpected arises.

It wasn’t the typical Thursday night in the women’s shelter (yet no two nights are ever the same around here). The night started out in the child care room helping to babysit 14 little ones while their mothers attended the chapel service. Three babysitters to soothe the crying ones, change messy diapers and mediate the scuffles between these little ones. The time passed quickly only to move onto the next task of getting 75 women and children settled in for the night.

With the help of an intern from LBC, breathalyzers were completed, medications handed out and nightly chores had begun.

Things were moving along nicely when we were disrupted by the sound of a fire alarm. Quickly, all 75 women and children escaped safely from the building while the fire department arrived to assess the situation. Fortunately, it was not a fire, but a faulty heat detector.

In the process of evacuating the building several of the women with severe asthma encountered breathing difficulties, so the paramedics were called to aid us as well. One woman was taken to the hospital for further treatment. After everyone calmed down and made their way back upstairs we resumed the normal activities of getting chores done while the mothers helped the children settle in for the night.

In the process of closing up for the night and calling it a day a different sound of alarm came, this time from one of the residents who was assisting another resident who was having a seizure. For those of you who have witnessed this you know how frightening it can be to watch someone have a seizure. Several of the women came to her aid, helped her to a safe, comfortable position and sat with her through the whole ordeal. By 11:00 pm all was peaceful and calm.

I left that night knowing I was not alone and that Jesus walked beside me through every twist and turn of the evening.

-Kim Harris, Women’s Counselor

Thoughts on a pacifier

I’ve a great need to be liked and when not, at least understood! So I often find myself with an urge to appease people as I move through my day here at the Mission.

It reminds me of when our daughters were young and we allowed them to use a pacifier. Quite often the pacifier ‘did the trick’ in quieting them which was a great thing for a harried parent. But I’m sort of glad that today neither Hannah, age 14, nor Gabrielle, age 11, uses a pacifier! These beautiful young women have learned to work through stress and discomfort in ways that have encouraged their growth.

Yet how easy is it for me to say what another wants to hear or to silently ‘go along’ with something that I disagree with when I am relating to residents and staff on this campus!

I am challenged to ask this: am I really acting in their best interest when I am primarily concerned not with their growth but with whether I am liked or not? Too often the answer is – “Steve you are most concerned with looking good!”

“So help me Lord to be most interested in pleasing You and in so doing – love those around me in an open and authentic and ‘non-pacifying’ way.”

-Steve Brubaker, Director of Residential Ministries

Loving because of Christ

What is the center of Christianity? Some say Christianity is religion. Others say Christianity is relationship. To me, Christianity is Christ. He is the center, source and goal.

Colossians 3:4 calls Christ our life. Philippians 1:21 has living as Christ. Colossians 1:16 has Christ as Creator and goal of His creation. Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 2:2, that his resolve was to know nothing other than Christ and Him crucified.

When trying to reach the people of Lancaster City, the secondary goals must not be primary. The main goal must always be related to Jesus Christ. He is the solution for man.

For me as a Chaplain, this needs to be in mind. I witness and give to other’s needs not because of the need but because of our Commander and Chief’s command and example. He loved with sacrifice. My service must be one of love. As a result, actions and attitudes of clients should not determine my service to them. They do not merit love. My sacrifice for them must come out of love for Christ; apart from the good or bad they might do.

-Michael Haines, chaplain

Open my eyes

Here at Water Street, we work among guys with lots of problems and issues. Yet, among them I often see such tenderness and servanthood (evidence of being God’s workmanship even though the work isn’t any where near complete).

Earlier this week we were headed up to the gym and our blind resident Mike wanted to go along (I quite honestly thought it was pointless) and so one of the guys let him “latch” on to him and slowly walked the 2 blocks to the gym.

As soon as we got there another guy started assisting Mike shooting free throws. While this other resident could have been practicing for the game they were going to play here he was serving a blind brother by standing under the basket, tapping the middle of the backboard so Mike could hear where the basket was.

Mike hit the rim more times than not. I left the gym amazed at the lesson in serving that God taught me through a mission man that took time out to help a blind brother shoot baskets.

God, I think I need my blind eyes opened!

-Chuck, Chaplain

A story of change

Hi! I am writing about my life at the Mission. This is my second time here. I came here once in 2003 and left after 3 months because I didn’t really like the rules. Now this time I have changed. I feel I am growing in faith and finding myself. I never felt this stable and balanced like I feel in here. I have 3 children with me and they are now on a routine.

From going to Daily Devotions and nightly Chapel, I started to really focus on the BIBLE and GODS WORD. I used to have a little faith and even though I believed in GOD I didn’t know Him personally. I used to feel that I had nobody to really turn to and understand me. But when I received CHRIST as my personal Savior, I realized HE is the only one who will never leave me.

I came here after I realized that I needed help. I didn’t come because I had to, but because I wanted to change my life around. I didn’t have a drug or alcohol problem, but a problem of not being stable. I used to live with family and friends, and I couldn’t save money up because I always spent it. I realized that I or my children didn’t have to live like that anymore. I used to go out and party every weekend and wasn’t a good mother to my children. Now that I am here with a nightly curfew, nightly alcohol testing, and random drug testing I am more on myself. Because if I would fail any of those test, I and my children would have to leave and because of my mistakes and selfishness they would be out on the streets.

I have been here for almost 9 months, and in these 9 months I have become a different but better person. I meet with my counselor, Miss Cheryl every week and we talk about what is going on in my life and my personal relationship with God. I have gained my certificate for Child Care Provider Workshop and I am currently working to finish my GED. I have only Math to pass and then I am done!

Coming here I have learned a lot of about patience, principals, morals and values. Not every day is a good day and you just want to quit, but I realize now that if I just keep reading God’s Word and really believing it, I can get through anything as long as I just trust Him. I am really grateful for the Mission and all that it is providing for me and my children because without it I wouldn’t had made it this far. Thanks.

-Erika, a WSRM resident

A stranger's impact

When you pass by people on the street do you find yourself wondering what their unique story is? I often wonder who they are, where they came from, how they got here, and are they the person they want to be?

As a child passing by strangers and in the company of strangers, we were taught by grown-ups to not talk to them. Some, if not many of us carry that over into adulthood. Working at a mission gives you a unique opportunity: to talk to, learn from and fellowship with strangers. That is great blessing!

Could you imagine Jesus not talking to and not healing strangers? I sure can’t.

I am not sure when it was that I lost that old adage of not talking to strangers. I am surely glad that I don’t follow the motto any more. I certainly have been blessed by many strangers here at the Mission. Building relationships with the residents and clients is quite rewarding to say the least.

Our residents here are soooo uniquely awesome. If you’ve never worked for a mission I encourage you to volunteer at one. Don’t walk, but RUN to your nearest mission, homeless shelter or soup-kitchen. Do as Jesus commands us to do, "Love as I have loved you".

- Lisa Shopf, Assistant to the President

Finding meaning through serving

Searching for the true meaning of life? You’ll find it in serving the Lord with sincere commitment and living for Him. I’ve been volunteering for a number of years at the Water Street Rescue Mission, helping with the mail, preparing food, correcting Bible lessons and much more.

The fellowship with other volunteers is enjoyable and strengthening. The dedication of the chaplains, teachers, counselors and everyone else is amazing and encouraging. Time here on earth passes quickly and we must serve while we have the opportunity.

The bread that giveth strength I want to give,
And the water pure that bids thirsty live.
I want to help the fainting day by day;
I’m sure I shall not pass again this way.
I want to give to others hope and faith.
I want to do all the Master saith,
I want to live aright from day to day,
I’m not sure I shall pass again this way.
(Anonymous)

-Barbara Nissly, 86 year-old volunteer

Pajama Day

Not too long ago the staff decided to spice up the winter stretch by holding “pajama day” at school. The anticipation of such an event generated a lot of excitement and many children would ask as they left for the day “Is tomorrow pajama day?”

At last the long-awaited day arrived. You could feel the joy in the air. I had an early morning meeting that day and so I arrived at school just in time for weekly chapel. Since I had not been at the door to greet them as they arrived, each little one wanted to make sure I saw not only their pajamas, but also their slippers and the stuffed toy they had brought with them. They were even amazed that their teachers wore their pajamas to school!

The teachers had worked hard at planning special activities for the day and I know that a lot of memories were created that day. So much so that just last week, one of our K-4 children told me on his way out, “Miss Lorraine, we’re praying for another pajama day!” Reminding me once again that God really does care about the little things that make us happy. (Uh-h-h, I wonder if God wants me to help answer that prayer?)

-Lorraine Brandt, Director of Wonder Club School
Wonder Club School is WSRM's kindergarten and pre-k school for children in Lancaster City.

Hummingbirds

My passion is hummingbirds. Though not my first passion, it is certainly on my “top ten” list. Have you ever wondered how amazing it is to see these tiny “jewels” flitting around so quickly that the eye can hardly keep them in view? I became fascinated with them just after arriving in the USA when a church member gave me a feeder as a gift, (we don’t have hummingbirds where I come from.) Not really knowing anything about these birds, I decided to hang the feeder out anyway. Then came the waiting time. I watched and I waited, and summer slipped by with the feeder hanging there ignored and unused, and still I watched and waited.

One morning, as I was taking a leisurely breakfast on the deck I casually glanced at the feeder with no real hope of seeing anything when it suddenly dawned on me that there was something sitting on the perch. I was stunned, speechless and in tears. This tiny creature appeared when I least expected it and then it was gone just as fast.

I was taught a valuable lesson that day. God is in the business of sending blessings into our lives but sometimes those blessings are tiny and they come so unexpectedly that we miss them. He showed me how important it is to look for the small, daily blessings instead of always looking for the big things .A smile, a word of encouragement, someone who holds the elevator door open for you when you are trailing 10 yards behind and round the corner, these are the small blessings for which I am truly thankful.

- Sue Pearce, Learning Center Coordinator

Uncertainty

What can I say?
Deciding what to write about has always been a greater challenge for me than the actual writing. In fact, coming up with a theme has sometimes been agonizing for me. So, as I approach the writing of this blog, I come with a great deal of uncertainty. I therefore resort to writing about what I know – uncertainty.

In our ministry to the women and children here at Water Street Rescue Mission, we in the Women’s Division need to constantly remind ourselves that, though we may be uncertain, God is never so.

We begin each day with a time of staff prayer and commitment, not because we have all the answers, but because God does. What a blessing to know that the God of the universe knows and cares about each hurting woman and child who will come our way on any given day. What a joy to share His Word with each of them and to be a part of His Work at Water Street Rescue Mission. What a comfort to know that no situation or circumstance catches our Heavenly Father off guard and nothing is too big for Him to handle.

I thank God for the uncertainty that drives me into His presence and forces me to call on Him day by day, moment by moment, and for the absolute certainty that He hears and answers.

-Vicki Bollman, Director of Women’s Ministry

I used to be a great parent

Before I had kids I was a great parent. Now as a Father of two girls I can tell you that I am neither a great parent nor an awful one. But few things have brought me to my knees like the challenges that arise in day-to-day parenting. Last week our oldest daughter Hannah was faced with a difficult decision. She came to my wife and I and wanted us to make a decision for her. And we could have too, if we would have had a clue of what that ‘right decision’ was!

But we yielded to our ignorance, encouraged Hannah to please God in whatever choice she made, and prayed with her for wisdom. Her choice is still pending but bottom line, this incident reminds me of how easy it is to make decisions for others as we try to insulate them from hurt. Yet it seems more important – and more difficult – that Hannah grapple with making a decision on her own. And as Parents, the compulsion to decide for our children is not unlike what the staff at the Mission faces everyday as broken folks look to us – all experts in parenting of course – for answers. So, just as God gives us choice – to follow Him or not – we must resist the urge to co-opt another’s choice when this process might be meant for their (and our) growth.

-Steve Brubaker, Director of Residential Ministries

We can't do it alone

Fear – the most powerful tool that Satan has in his arsenal – paralyzes men and women every day. The fear of failure and the approval of men cause countless people to put on a desperate smile and repeat over and over that everything is alright.

Poverty – of the pocketbook, of opportunity, of resources, of desire, and of hope combine to create emotional poverty and spiritual bankruptcy.

How can we come alongside people and help them to overcome fear and address issues of poverty in a manner that will communicate Christ’s love, that the hope and presence of His Spirit might bring hope and healing? In His goodness God has provided us with the physical resources, so, how do we at WSRM distribute these resources in a manner that is redemptive and ministers holistically to families and individuals?

Recognizing that the Body of Christ is immense and multi-gifted, and that many of the individuals who come to us for assistance live in neighborhoods where the Body is already present, we are attempting to serve the Body of Christ as the body of Christ serves their communities by addressing issues of homelessness, poverty and social justice. The issues and solutions are too complex and the number of people needing assistance are too high for one part for the body to do this alone.

The work of the kingdom has never been about one individual, one church, or one organization – it is about One Body, One Spirit, One Hope, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of all, who equips us according to our calling that “when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:1-16)

Columbia United Methodist, Columbia Christian Fellowship, Faith Reformed Presbyterian, and Crossroads Mennonite Church will again serve their local communities at Easter by distributing Food Boxes. Through these efforts and the relationships being built and established, people are coming to SEE the love of Christ and EXPERINCE the hope that comes from living a life surrendered to Him. Isn’t this what life in the Kingdom is all about?

-Rick Rutter, Director of Outreach Ministries

Losers being used by the Lord

As I sit and reflect at the end of a hard day a fresh wave of unworthiness washes over me. How did this dysfunctional, drug addicted-loser end up being used by the Lord to change lives?

I recall the early days of my recovery as I slinked into Bible College filled with shame over a lifetime of sleazy acts that would always have to be stated in any honest recounting of my past. In College, I walked the halls with some who had never tasted alcohol and were still virgins. I felt filthy in their presence. My shame haunted me throughout College and Seminary. I could hardly look my Professors in the eye.

As an attempt to help me discover the Lord’s plan for me, one of my Professors recommended that I try volunteering at the local rescue mission. I was amazed at what I found. In ten minutes of sharing my history with a man at the mission I could feel my shame being lifted as my story provided him hope. I was convinced in an instant that this was where I would be serving the Lord.

Since Seminary I have found that, in ministry, the Lord continues to use my brokenness far more than he uses my training. All I have to do to be effective is: be honest about my sinfulness!

- Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

A change of life

Ten months ago I was living in a smelly, roach infested motel room. I had no hope of living another day. Then my brother brought me to the Water Street Rescue Mission.
My first night was spent in the Men’s Emergency Shelter. The next day I spoke to a chaplain. He explained the three program options available to me. I chose the 15 week Christian Life Development Program. The goal of this program is to teach life changing skills through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
As a requirement of the C.L.D. program, I was assigned a task. My job as “Deskman” was to see to the needs of new clients coming into the shelter. This was very difficult for me because all my life I have avoided interacting with people. Through participation in the C.L.D. program I learned to treat all people with gentleness, kindness, dignity, and respect.
In applying this knowledge my outlook on life has become more hopeful, and I feel more a part of the community of believers in Christ. Thoughts of taking my life have been replaced with thoughts of giving my life in service to the Lord. For this I am thankful to the community at the Water Street Rescue Mission.

- Lane (client and learning center student - WSRM)

A snowy day in Philly

Feb. 13 schools were closed and Bible Study was cancelled due to snow. I called Brandon Robinson and Joe Hall, two of our junior counselors, to see if they would spend the day with me doing volunteer work.

First we went to the 20th Street Teen Haven building where Miss Ann and Miss Oddet live. We thought we'd help them by shoveling out Ann's car, Oddet's car and Oddet's van. The guys worked hard and did a good job. We had it all done in less than an hour. Then we were rewarded with lunch served by Oddet in her kitchen. Oddet told me later how impressed she was with the courteous and respectful behavior of Brandon and Joe.

After lunch, Joe, Brandon and I drove over to Shahid’s house. Shahid is new to Teen Haven and has not seemed very enthusiastic about coming or about doing his quiet times or memory verses. He does do them, seemingly grudgingly.

Joe and Brandon (along with Curt, another staff) sometimes visit other boys from bible study to encourage them to do better quiet times (many of the boys only do the bare minimum).

This visit worked particularly well with Shahid. Shahid doesn't talk much with me, because I'm an adult. Just gives me one word answers. So I didn't say a thing. Brandon and Joe led everything. They kept peppering Shahid with questions until he really started to open up and share his thoughts. The passage Joe and Brandon chose to go over was from the book of James, chapter 3, about the proper and improper use of the tongue. The discussion was very stimulating and helpful to everyone. I think Shahid was greatly encouraged. (Update: a month later, John reports that Shahid continues to put in great effort on his bible studies and quiet times.)

-John Schleh, Philadelphia Teen Haven

Thoughts from a volunteer

Right after graduation, I began volunteering at the youth center at my church, but then had to stop after my new job monopolized the majority of my time and energy. After that job did not work out, I suddenly had a lot of free time, and wanted to keep busy while I searched for a new job. After prayer for some guidance and direction, God led me to the Water Street Rescue Mission to volunteer, as I was interested in possibly working for a non-profit organization. I appreciated the work that the Mission was accomplishing in the community, and wanted to contribute my time and talent.

As a volunteer, I assisted the Development Department to allow the staff to focus on the tasks that only they were trained to do. I arranged the Thanksgiving meal tickets into a bulletin board display, trained to assist and cover for the receptionist, and helped with other basic office work. From my experience volunteering here, I have enjoyed seeing the devoted reliance on Christ’s guidance for the success of this organization.

Most importantly, I have also learned that any help, no matter how insignificant it may seem, greatly contributes to the changing of lives that occurs daily at the Water Street Rescue Mission.

- Sara Miller, volunteer (now part-time office staff)

A different treatment

During a Monday evening clinic session a gentleman living in another shelter came into the clinic to see the physician. He had been drinking and was somewhat upset and while in the clinic became agitated by a situation. The doctor and staff encouraged him to go to the hospital to detox.

As he came from the treatment room after talking to the doctor, one of our volunteer nurses suggested that we gather around this gentleman and pray for him. He agreed and the staff formed a circle around him and lifted him to the Lord in prayer. As we prayed he was quieted and wept and joined us by offering his own prayer.

The following Monday he returned to the clinic, sober and a different man. He had in fact followed through and had gone to detox and was now back at his previous program. During the next 1-2 weeks he again returned to see us and shared that he had found a job and was beginning work the following day.

Prayer changes situations, but more importantly it changes hearts. Praise God!

-Jean Benedict, RN, Water Street Medical Clinic

A gentle answer...

My wife teaches me a lot about life and God… recently, the teenage girl who was living with us was trying our patience a bit: getting in trouble at school, lying, etc. After getting a phone call from her school explaining that she once again arrived without her uniform and then told the teacher she didn’t have access to laundry facilities, my wife was ready to explode. You see, my wife does laundry 3-4 times a week (we have 4 young daughters) and has offered just about every night to do our young guest’s laundry as well.

Wouldn’t you know, though, that Tanya’s quiet time that morning included Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

All her planning of the right words to use to rip into our guest and put her in her place was going to be for naught. When she arrived home from school, Tanya gently asked to speak with her in the kitchen for a few minutes. Somehow Tanya let all the anger and rage drift away, and calmly explained how much we cared for the young lady, her surprise at the story she felt compelled to make up, and to once again offer to do her laundry.

Our guest didn’t say a word (she was prepared for the barrage of anger she usually receives from adults in her life), and after a few minutes left the room. When Tanya finished prepping dinner, she walked into the living room to find a basket of the girl’s clothes and a remorseful young lady. For the next 10 minutes, our guest apologized and thanked Tanya again and again. She didn’t instantly turn into an angel, but the last several days before she returned to live with her father were much better.

She still stops by several times a week, and is continuing to come to our church’s youth group. She also looks at Tanya like she does few other adults.

-Jack Crowley (Teen Haven Director)

Thoughts on throw-up

I spent lunch time today with my family. On the days I am able to do this, it is usually a highlight of my day (my family consists of my lovely wife and 4 beautiful daughters - under 5yrs old). I’m not sure if today would qualify as a highlight, since I spent most of the time cleaning up throw-up out of a car seat and clothes and holding a smelly 14 month-old. Don’t get me wrong, I still loved being able to be with the fam, but now I’m wondering if the lingering smell on me will be noticed during my afternoon meetings.

Thoughts on throw-up… usually vomit is the result of either something bad working inside of us (a virus or bacteria) or something bad that we put into ourselves (spoiled food, too much alcohol, etc). When there is something bad working inside of us, or we fill ourselves with something our body wasn’t intended to ingest, we are not surprised when something ugly comes back out.

Why did it take me years of working with youth to stop being surprised when occasionally something ugly came out of them (language, violence, anger, attitude)? Look at what they and our society put into them (racism, poverty, absentee parents, the media, anger, violence, etc). Add on top of that the sickness of sin working from within, and it makes more sense to expect some ugliness than to be shocked by it.

The challenge is to love in the midst of cleaning up the vomit (literal and figurative). This is easier to do with my own children, but I thank God he is helping me learn how to do it with the others he brings my way as well.

-Jack Crowley (Teen Haven Director)

Coming Soon...

OK, here's the plan...

Each day, someone connected with Water Street Rescue Mission will be posting a short article/essay/stream of conciousness rant about life at WSRM from that person's unique perspective. From day to day you will encounter various perspectives (clients, guests, counselors, chaplains, program director, volunteers, etc) on homelessness, poverty, urban life, ministry, God, addictions, community, or whatever is on our mind.

Our hope is that if you come back to visit occasionally, you will come away with a better understanding of what life and ministry at Water Street Rescue Mission is really like, and hopefully what God is doing in the lives of all of us here.

It may take a while to get this up and flowing on an every day basis, but bear with us and hopefully within a few weeks we will have daily posts on a consistent basis.

To learn more about what WSRM is all about, check out our website at www.wsrm.org.

Peace -
Jack Crowley
Director of Teen Haven (WSRM)