Introducing...

We have so many wonderful volunteers who serve faithfully here at Water Street Rescue Mission. But just saying that doesn’t quite have as much impact as actually “meeting” some of our volunteers. Dr. Christine Janouscheck, is one of our volunteer doctors. Read below and get to know a little bit about her!

When did you start volunteering at the Medical Clinic?
September, 2004

How often do you volunteer?
Every Monday from 9am – 12pm (She actually has a “following” according to Gale, our Director of Health Services – people that sign up for appointments only when they know Dr. Janouscheck will be there)

What do you do when you’re not volunteering?
Take care of my 3 boys! They are 8, 12 and 14.

What led you to volunteer at WSRM?
It just kinda “fell into place”. I was at a medical conference and the woman in front me turned around and introduced herself to me. That woman was Dr. Lenora Berning, who was volunteering at the clinic at that time. We got to talking and I ended up here!

Have you ever volunteered before (at other places)?
I have volunteered working as a doctor for migrant workers. That was an interesting experience—working from a trailer and going out into the fields to treat people.

What has been your favorite experience? Why do you keep coming back to WSRM?
It is definitely the spiritual aspect that makes me come back. Doctors aren’t trained to investigate the spiritual side of illnesses, and are often afraid to even go there. I know that God is the true healer, but working here has really allowed me to see it first hand. I have learned so much!

What have you learned?
I have learned so much from my patients. They actually ask me to pray with them, they are looking for the spiritual side of healing as well. They come to be healed physically, but they want more. I have learned to rely on the Holy Spirit in my medical work.

How has this experience shaped what you think you may do in the future, how you relate to others, how you relate to God?
This experience has definitely changed me! It has been such a humbling experience for me to work here. I have treated people who are such survivors – a woman who was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, never met her mom, was thrown out onto the streets at the age of 12, got into drugs, but now she wants nothing more than to glorify God and serve Him by working with kids! I am humbled.

What would you say to others who may want to volunteer?
It’s a fulfilling and joyful experience! It also has given me opportunity to grow spiritually. I have truly lost my heart to my patients here. This place (WSRM) works like the “Kingdom of God” – staff and volunteers work together as a team, each using their gifts in holistic ministry. Each time I come I am amazed by seeing Christ at work!

The cost of grace

It is pretty clear to us who know the Lord that grace, though freely given, has cost the Giver dearly. At no cost to me, I am given His unmerited favor (grace). That means that in every instance God promises to favor me, to always act in my best interest. Further, whatever it costs Him to always act in my best interest He gladly pays. That’s what is so amazing about grace.

It is the initial realization of this unwarranted gift that drives us to our knees before our God. It is a fuller, growing appreciation of this grace that produces our growth and maturity in Christ.

I have come to see from my own experience of grace that grace is the thing the Lord uses to free us from our bondage to fear. His relentless commitment to always act in my best interest was what convinced me to trust Him and let go my devotion to self-protection.

Because grace is the stuff used to change people, we are committed to building grace into all our dealings with everyone whom the Lord brings us. That means that we commit to always acting in the best interest of those who come here for services. No exceptions.

This may mean that it is time to question some of our current practices.

WARNING: EXTENDING GRACE MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH.
If you do it poorly it will cost you nothing.
If you do it well it will cost you some abuse.
If you do it perfectly it will cost you your life.

Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

"Chain Reaction"

This morning I walked up to the Fulton Opera House to see a unique presentation. The Fulton’s Youtheatre program put on a play called “Chain Reaction.”

I went because I wanted to see and encourage a young teen from my church, Kyle Jones, as he performed on stage for the first time. But I also came away with a bit of an education. Each year the students involved in Youtheatre select the topic and theme of their production and work together to write the play and much of the music included in it. Typically the topic/theme is something related to their lives, an issue that they and their peers deal with on a daily basis. This year, the kids looked a bit outside of themselves.

The play is about slavery. Not the slavery of America’s past, but the slavery of today that exists throughout the world, including the USA. I have heard a bit about “human trafficking” and was aware that slavery is still a reality in the world today, but I was not aware of how widespread and how huge the issue really is. According to Free the Slaves, a national advocacy organization, there are currently more than 27 million slaves in the world today (more than at any other time in history). And although there are exactly zero countries where slavery is legal, it has been documented to exist in more than 100 nations world wide (including many western nations and the U.S.)

Interestingly, the play itself (and the research the teens did in preparing it) made it clear that though the issue of slavery seems a bit detached from the life of an American teen, we are all to some degree connected to the modern slave trade (primarily through our consumerism).

I was encouraged this morning by seeing a group of teens, many from our urban neighborhoods standing up and speaking out for those who are hurting and can’t speak out for themselves. (sounds like something Jesus would want us to do, huh?)

Nice job Kyle (and the rest of the Youtheatre crew), and don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about the blonde wig and purple dress (whoops).

Check out http://www.freetheslaves.net/ for more info on this topic.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

Summertime with Teen Haven

Every year as the weather gets warm, and Teen Haven’s ministry shifts toward summer camp, backpacking adventures, pool visits, and mission trips, I begin to reminisce about my own years of summer camp counseling with the kids here in Lancaster.

Some fond (sometimes funny) memories:
-Reassuring a counselor (all 6’3” 230 lbs of him) near tears because of a rattlesnake blocking our path on a backpacking trip
-Learning how to properly clean off the stench from a well-aimed stink bomb
“Banana Bombardment” (a form of dodgeball with over-ripe bananas), and WWF style wrestling in the creek while cleaning off the residue
-Swimming at Blue Marsh - and my first official opportunity to use my lifeguarding skills on a 14 year old boy who thought he was Mark Spitz
-Kids banging on the door hours before camp was supposed to start, begging to come in early to hang out with the staff – “But Jaaa-aack, I GOTSA TAWKA BEV” (translation – “Please excuse me Mr. Jack, but I really need to speak with my counselor Miss Beverly”)
-Pretending not to be hurt after diving over a couch while introducing a new night game – Mission Impossible
-Hours and hours of basketball (esp. knock-out and roughhouse), flag football, and home-run derby in the 90 degree heat

But the truly priceless memories are:
-The moments of intense conversation and prayers with teens as they came to understand who Jesus really is and who He says they can be
-The late nights in a tent when a kid would beg me to read just a little more from the bible before turning out the flashlight
-Praying with a kid to accept Jesus for the first time
-Praying with a kid about their home or family life
-Seeing a young man or woman take a stand for what is right even when all their friends are heading the other direction

There are many days when I wish I was in the pool, on the court, or under a tree teaching “devos” rather than here in my office. But I thank God that Mike, Jose, Lisette, Andy, Curt, John, Oddet, Vinny, Greg, Gina, James, Aaron, Ginny, Angelo and the others are out there today.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

More thoughts on poverty

One of the ‘advantages’ of ministry at the Mission is this: every day there is opportunity to come alongside people who are poor. And though I am not formally trained in theology it does seem God is on the side of the poor in a way that is more intentional than I am or the vast majority of the evangelical church is! Above all, I have come to realize that I understand very little about poverty.

If God is on the side of the poor in a special way, I don't think this 'on the sideness' equates to glorification of them or their plight but rather a specific intention of our Lord to model humility. Pride is insidious. How easy it is for any of us to allow material things to inspire us, give us a sense of worth and importance, and craft our motivations and values. Jesus was locationally born in poverty, chose to 'move in' with us wretched folk via the incarnation, and walked alongside and comfortably moved around with the poor. His very life reminds us of the 'transitoriness' of life built on anything but that which lasts.

Most of my life is lived comfortably apart from those in poverty. In contrast with the life of Christ (What did Jesus do?) my life is most noticeable by little interaction with issues of or people in poverty. My thoughts are seldom consumed by concern for the hurting stranger by the side of the road. Candidly, I don't travel unsafe roads anymore so how can I expect to have issues of poverty force their way into my brain and heart?

-Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries

Poverty and the great commission

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Poverty and the Great Commission- what do they have in common? I’m really not sure, however, it seems to me that in fulfilling the GC issues of poverty are going to come up. They have in my own heart and mind as I have wrestled with the comments of others and the Scriptural Mandate to love my brother (and sister).

When you get down to it, poverty is a spiritual issue. No, not in the bible-berating – “get‘em saved and their lives will be changed” sense.

I’m talking about the life transforming, heart-changing spiritual issue that allows me to take the covers off my head and experience life as those around me experience it. To see life as others experience it – not through my own privileged perspective - and to rejoice with those who rejoice and grieve with those who grieve on a daily basis.

Discipleship is living in community, in common, with one another. Allowing others to see and experience my life on a daily basis and experiencing their life – as equals, co-heirs to the throne (if they are believers), recognizing that God has equipped me to be a blessing and the church to be a blessing to the world around us – saved or unsaved – minus the Messiah complex.

As a result, whether addressing very real physical deficits, or issues related to existing social structures which perpetuate poverty, poverty becomes less about assigning blame and more about life with the blinders removed. Seeing each other and our shared experiences from multiple perspectives – then responding, in love, to issues of poverty as Christ would.

Making disciples is based in relationship – my relationship with God and my relationship with man. As I model love and humility borne from God’s love for me, hopefully I am allowing others to get a glimpse of something desirable.

I am not always sure how someone can desire what I have. Then again, (to paraphrase Max Lucado) it really is not about me in the first place.

-Rick Rutter, Outreach Ministries

Visiting camp

Today, I took a trip down to camp.

Although I don’t get there as often as I would like, when I do it is often one of the highlights of my week. Today was no exception.

This week is younger boys week (9-14 year olds), which means lots of energy and lots of noise. It can also mean lots of attitude (usually a thin layer covering up some very sensitive often hurting hearts).

I spent an hour this morning sitting in on devotions with our counselors and JCs, while the young campers were in chapel with Vinny, our camp director. These are young men between 15-22 years old who are being discipled in our city programs and serve at camp during the summer and weekends throughout the school year.

Today, I had the privilege of listening to Terrell share with his peers what he has been learning about having confidence in the Lord (rather than in the flesh). He also shared about learning to trust God more while studying Psalm 23 and observing how God is fulfilling the role of “shepherd” in his life.

These lessons and insights carry even more depth as I reflect on Terrell’s testimony, less than a year ago, he was coming to Teen Haven Camp for the first time with a major chip on his shoulder. He was a professing Muslim (heavily influenced by a former foster family) and was seemingly resistant to the gospel while at camp. But on the bus ride home, his counselor (another teen) listened to his story and helped him find his way back to a relationship with Christ (he had accepted Jesus years before – before joining his Muslim foster family). Now Terrell is growing in his faith, learning to walk with Jesus, and sharing the hope of Christ with other kids from the city.

Please keep him in your prayers.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

Shirley and Doreen

I have been blessed with two wonderful volunteers who help me tremendously! When I started my job as Volunteer Coordinator in September, I had a lot of questions. Several different times I asked my boss about a specific volunteer issue, and he replied, “I don’t know the answer to that—Shirley takes care of that.” Needless to say I was excited to meet Shirley!

For the last several years Shirley has been coming in to WSRM every Wednesday—ALL DAY. Part of that time she works in the volunteer department, keeping the volunteer database up to date with all new volunteers, adding the volunteer hours each month, and preparing monthly reports. I rely heavily on Shirley to complete this work—in fact it is left in a tray for her that I don’t even touch! And each week she faithfully comes in and works her way through the pile that was left for her. I am thankful for Shirley—for her knowledge, for showing me the ropes, for her faithfulness, and for her friendship.

As I started to settle into my position as Volunteer Coordinator, I found myself running from task to task, never seeming to have enough time to get everything done—even with Shirley doing all the database upkeep! Finally I came to my senses. After all, as Volunteer Coordinator, one of my jobs is to see new areas where volunteers are needed and fill those positions. And I needed a volunteer!

Doreen started in January, with a willingness to do whatever needed done. I consider myself rather efficient, but I have never worked with someone who works as quickly as Doreen. After the first week I realized that she would be able to accomplish more in 2 hours than most people would in half a day! This was fine with me, because I had work for her to do!

Like I said, Doreen is willing to do whatever needs done. She makes copies. She processes Criminal Records Checks and Child Abuse Clearances. She designs bulletin boards. She makes phone calls. She researches addresses. She is a godsend.

I have been so blessed by both of “my” volunteers. Thank you to Doreen and Shirley and all the other volunteers who willingly give up their own time to serve the staff and clients of Water Street Rescue Mission. You are a blessing!

-Carissa Martin, Volunteer Coordinator

Truth & Love

I am struggling with being more like Jesus. What does that mean? I have heard this said since the day I gave my life to Him, but I’m not sure what it “looks” like. Jesus was God & I am so inadequate. I don’t know anything; I often do & say the wrong things. He always knew the perfect thing to say & do when He spoke with others. My heart aches for the lost and I have shed many tears for those who have no hope, but how do I show them the hope of Christ as He did. His love was demonstrated in such purity, gentleness & truth. Often my “truth” is just perceived as hurtful and unloving. How did He do that? He spoke the truth they needed to hear with such love they couldn’t resist!

Over the weekend I was in Philadelphia staying with my daughter & husband who minister to those on the streets of Kensington & Fishtown. We ooh & aah over how “rough” Philadelphia is, but the hearts and needs of the people there are no different than here at Water Street. I had done a women’s weekend conference with them and one of the women, still in the throes of addiction & denial, latched on to me as her friend. Why? Did she maybe see a glimmer of Jesus, His love, His hope? She invited me to a party for the christening of her beautiful 8 month old granddaughter. Her home was in an area of the neighborhood known for the alcoholics and heroin addicts, and she invited me in as if I was a royal guest. She hugged me, thanked me for coming and told me she loved me. Wow, how did I get such an honor? The party was a crowd of people ready to party & get high, but she ask them to wait until her guests left to open the “keg” and crank up the music.

I ask the Lord, what do I do? What do I say? Silence…… I walked away with sadness in my heart and a promise to keep in touch with her as she is facing surgery. Should I have got the attention of the crowd in a raised voice to speak about Jesus & what He could offer them that was so much better than the high they were headed to? Am I afraid to speak about Jesus so boldly or does He want me to love them as they are and wait for the time their ears & hearts will be ready to hear? I am also reminded as I write this that many hated Him, lashed out at Him and so I will also be hated. I hang on to His promises to trust in Him and He will show the way! Not me, but Him!

I have such good news & often want to speak boldly but hold back. Is this Jesus guiding me to wait until His time or is it my fear? Is anyone else struggling with this? As I serve those in the clinics at WS: clients, volunteers, staff and community, I want to speak as Jesus spoke and be more like Him. Loving, kind, gentle, while speaking a life transforming truth!

-Gale Thomason, WSRM Clinics

Thankful for the opportunity...

The Lord gave me a wonderful opportunity this week to take two young gentlemen from our shelter to a Vacation Bible School.

Driving to church the first night I had some reservations about taking them…especially after hearing from their mom “Do not let them be in the same group, they do not get along at all.” (OK and I’m about to get into a car with them?!) I wondered if I was getting into something over my head, yet I knew this was something Jesus would be pleased with.

When we got to church I so quickly got caught up with organizing the snacks that I forgot to tell the leaders to separate the boys…hence they ended up in the same group. Instead of making a big deal out of it I decided to watch and see what happens. They were WONDERFUL, so well behaved! I watched them sing, play games, listen intently to the Bible lesson, color, eat…everything! Not one problem all night, God was good…and so were they!

Now it’s Wednesday and two days of VBS have gone by…as I sit here typing I am picturing the boys interacting with people this past week. My heart grew attached very quickly to these precious children, I felt proud when they recited their Bible verses with no mistakes, I felt happy to see them interacting with other children, I felt sad when I saw them clinging to the male leaders, yearning for every bit of attention they could get…most of all, I felt thankful for the opportunity to bring them.

Each night when we went back to the shelter they ran to find their mom to tell her everything they learned and did that night, I could see it brought joy to her heart…and how good it felt to tell her that her boys were in the same group, and there were NO problems!
Two more nights to go, I can hardly wait until 5:00pm! By the time you read this, VBS will be over; please pray that the Word of God will remain in their hearts, and that they will want to share the things they’ve learned with all of their buddies in the years to come.

- Amy Wright, Development Department

Thankful

Before I came to Water Street Rescue Mission, I was floundering in my life.

I was filled with feelings of worthlessness which caused me to look for acceptance through pre-marital sex, one night stands, drinking, and getting “high” on anything that I could get my hands on to escape. I was out of control, practicing Wicca as my “Religion” instead of searching for the One who was always waiting for me.

Fourteen years ago I quit the drugs. I always thought it was through my own strength. But now I know it was God watching over His sheep. Because when I was eleven, before all this happened in my life, I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

I have always been over-emotional, and have a tendency to want to yell to get my point across. But with lots of prayer, He has been helping me give control to Him. It’s still a work in progress.

I thank God every day for giving me my counselor and the staff, and my church family that help me everyday on my path as a good Christian. God has helped me get control over my feelings and my inferiority complex, and my belief that there are conditions on all things. All things happen through prayer. I am thankful for all God has done in my life.

-Patricia, WSRM Resident

The bottom line...

Working for the past 16 years in a Human Resources Career and working for three for-profit companies, I had heard many times how staff were expected to excel in their job performance to exceed the bottom [financial] line.

Three years ago, I was part of a “Life Group” at Lancaster County Bible Church where we studied The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren. It was the best study I had gone through because God changed my heart in many ways. He specifically led me to reconsider my current career path and be open to new expectations He had for me during the remainder of my earthly journey.

Over the past two years, I began to seek other employment where my focus and expectations were not on the “bottom line”, but to first glorify God either in an HR career or another career path. After looking for more than one year, God brought me to Water Street Rescue Mission. WSRM is an essential ministry, which is led by Biblical values and a place where staff share how God is being glorified through their everyday work. Staff also pray before meetings, before interviews and will pray for each other when sharing a burden or personal issue. We are not expected to exceed the [financial] bottom line, but to experience God’s grace and His love through this ministry.

WSRM has dedicated, compassionate, hardworking staff who love Jesus and who desire to advance God’s kingdom through this ministry. We all have an internal gratitude to God (for the price that Jesus paid for us on the Cross) and want to glorify Him in everything we do and that is the bottom line!

-Jane A. Keller, Human Resources Director

Hiding in the dark, or a light in the dark?

I read this verse today for the first time. It’s always been there, however, this morning I saw it ... read it for the first time.

Judges 6:27 reads: So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night.

It’s tough being openly obedient to God. Especially if you like comfort over conflict, peace over prejudice, or rest over regret. This is especially true for the men in Lancaster County Prison I met with this morning. They are faithful in their attendance and appear genuine in their desire to see their lives transformed. However, the cares of the world, in their case a prison system that is overcrowded (this morning 3 men in 2 man cells and women sleeping on cots in the gym) and where control is necessary, compassion is not always evident.

So when some of these men get back to their pods and cells fear of man reigns. Fear of the guards, of the others in the pods and in their cell. Any slight is a perceived disrespect and those perceived as being weak are exposed to intimidation and threats. Persecution for genuine faith is real. Men and women struggle to succeed because they do not have the hope or a strong enough faith to see the potential they possess as God created them.

And in the darkness of their cells - they read and study. They cry out to God and live as obediently as they know how. In the middle of the night, they are studying, struggling to understand God and learn how they can be successful when all their lives they been told (verbally and through actions) that they are worthless and will never be successful.

No wonder they only come out at night.

In the midst of the chaos are men and women who withstand the persecution to minister under the banner of Christ that they may all know God has a plan and a purpose for them all.

What excuse do I have for not being the light, the example, the hope for the lost. The vessel God uses as He draws the unsaved unto salvation. Have I grown too comfortable? Too complacent?

Lord, help me to understand the freedom that comes from serving you openly and call and challenge to live out my faith boldly and openly – without the fear of my family or of man.

-Rick Rutter, Outreach Ministries

Why I love

Dr. Elmer Towns was my favorite Liberty University professor. I also enjoyed hearing my father and reading what he wrote. Both agreed on a significant issue that many miss. In part, through them I heard this amazing truth. “God is love” (1 John 4:16).

God does not love us for ourselves, but because He is love. He loves because that is what He does. What He does comes from Who He is. His love is not dependent on the object of His love.

My father pointed out God has to be faithful because He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). Jesus’ command flows from this—love because of God’s love; not because of the object of your love (John 15:12). A surprising idea—just as God loves because of Who He is, we are to love because of who we are (due to our connection with God); not the object of our love.

This means that as God loves those who deserve the opposite, we are to do the same. What a great way to do this, working at Water Street Rescue Mission. Imagine not just obeying God, but being given opportunities to do it. This I owe in part to my professor and my father.

-Michael Haines, Men’s Ministry

Poverty

For the last several weeks, the Outreach Ministries Dept has been facilitating a discussion about poverty...what is it? what causes it? how do we respond to it? The discussion has included staff and leaders at the mission and from the community. The conversation continues and hopefully will provide guidance to our programs and to our relationships with others in the body of Christ.

I am enjoying the discussion we are having at the Mission about poverty. But I have observed there seem to be many opinions how what poverty is. Some spiritualize it, some compare cultures. Some use pure economics.

I have been to India, Nepal, Thailand and African countries where the poorest person I know in the USA would be considered wealthy by the poor on those countries. I understand the economic viewpoint where poverty is viewed from the vantage point of its surrounding wealth (or lack of wealth). If the economic system in the US allowed for the poorest 10% of the population to receive $50,000 a year, but the remaining 90% of the population received $150,000 - would we not choose to define that 10% as “being in poverty”?

I think our challenge is to engage in our discussion from a place of supra-cultural principles. This would allow us to talk about poverty without cultural issues confusing our conversation. Perhaps we would be better served to define poverty without the help of economics.

Perhaps it should be defined according to the relationship a person has to oppression or opportunity. The Biblical instructions to followers of God are to help the oppressed, the prisoner, and the person in bondage. I suggest that using this lens to view poverty helps to lessen the cultural bias that we each have and allows for meaningful discussion about how we engage with those who are our neighbors.

-Jere Shertzer, President

A stolen car?

I thank God that He not only provides answers, but often amuses us by demonstrating His sense of humor here at the Water Street Rescue Mission.

Recently one of our residents, who struggles with paranoia, found life in our shelter overwhelming. After she telephoned police and the FBI to report imagined plots against her, the client was removed from shelter life for her own safety (and the safety of other residents). She took refuge elsewhere but that soon came to an end and, again homeless, she was permitted to stay in our cold weather sleeping with the stipulation that she not take it upon herself to call the police or the FBI during her stay.

She hesitated in accepting this condition as she was certain her car was in our parking lot and that her ex-husband had sold it to one of our employees. We tried to reassure her and repeated the “No Police-No FBI” rule.

Naively, we believed the matter settled until, next morning a call from administration alerted me to “something” happening in the parking lot. As I exited my office building, there was this dear lady, leaning into the passenger window of the police cruiser, rapidly explaining to the officer how her car had been stolen and parked right here in our parking lot.

As she described the third car in the lot and pointed wildly with her right hand to identify it, I was more amused than surprised to find that the vehicle in question was MY car!

-Vicki Bollman, Women's Ministries

Thank you volunteers!

The ministry at Water Street Rescue Mission would not be the same and definitely would not be nearly as effective if it wasn’t for the commitment and sacrifice of the hundreds of volunteers who give of themselves each day. Thank you to all of our volunteers!

Memories

Here I sit in my office contemplating the silence. As I listen all I hear is the ticking of the clock on the wall. No sound of children laughing and playing in the “gym area” as they enjoy playtime with their friends under the watchful eye of the teachers. No cheery little voices greeting me when I walk by their classrooms. No frantic running footsteps as a child scurries down two flights of stairs to let me know her teacher needs me “right now!” No screaming and yelling from the child who can’t have his own way and who doesn’t want to listen to his teacher. None of the sounds that come with being in the presence of other people.

Yes, the school year has ended and I sit here, alone in the quiet, preparing for the next year. My mind is drawn back to the last day of school just a few short weeks ago. Several days during the week I help to supervise the lunch time and on this day, we were having a pizza party to celebrate the end of school. As the children were finishing their lunches, I took the opportunity to ask, “Who can tell me one thing they learned in school this year?” The responses were instantaneous; they all wanted an opportunity to talk. “I learned to count to 100.” “I learned all my letters.” “I can write my name now.” “I learned about Jesus.” “I learned Jesus died on the cross for us.” “I learned to know new friends.” “I learned to pray.” Then one little fellow raised his hand and when I called on him, he proudly said, “I learned about the Holy Spirit and that He lives in me and helps me in all I do.” Wow! I know a lot of Christians who haven’t gotten that lesson down yet.

As I look at the class pictures under the glass on my desk, I see faces that bring lots of memories. Faces of children who heard about Jesus for the first time in Wonder Club and who learned to worship and to pray. Faces filled with excitement as they entered each day wanting to learn. Faces of children who were shy or lonely or scared, but who found love and acceptance from their peers. Faces of those who were easy to love and those who were challenging. And I thank God for giving me the tremendous privilege to learn to know them and be a part of their lives for this short time.

-Lorraine Brandt, Wonder Club

Not just an ordinary Father's Day

This is the day many children celebrate and honor their dads, whether biological or adoptive; we celebrate a special day for them.

I give great honor and thanks to my Father, God. He took me out of the worst of the picking; I was anything but a son to be proud of.

My bio-family disowned or shunned me because I choose to speak the truth about the dysfunction in my life with the family. I knew if I was to survive my life I would have to hold up my chin and walk away from their denial. One parent blaming the other, yet both was abusive. Lies that they taught me I believed and lived out until November 14th, 2004.

I became baptized, reborn in my spiritual life, more importantly to me at the time was to be adopted, as is, into my Heavenly Father’s Kingdom. He has blessed me so many blessings.

He directed me to Water Street Rescue Mission, He provided loving and patient staff to allow me a chance to really learn the truth of who God really is, who I am and given me a happier life with Him. I’m swimming in a healing, loving, spiritual pool that my Father has given me. An opportunity to really seek Him out, to make me transparent so His light can shine through me and allow light to brighten another’s darkened spirits.

Father God has taught me Real Love; His Truth in His Word is all about.

I forgave my bio-family and prayed mercy on them. I had hoped they (the bio-family) would have sought out Christian counseling and moved on with their lives.

I’m starting to move on in my life with all my heart and soul on doing anything that is pleasing to my Heavenly Father. I want to live a life that is only pleasing to Him.

He blessed me with a family at West End Mennonite Fellowship, also many Brothers and Sisters at Water Street Rescue Mission. I am also surrounded daily with Love, support, encouragement and inspiration.

This will never be “just another Father’s Day” for me again, but rather a Happy Holy Father God’s Day.

Teach me all your ways so you, Heavenly Father can have all the glory and honor for all the many accomplishments in my life.

Happy Holy Father God’s Day! I LOVE YOU

-Bro. Pauljay

What if I don't feel forgiven?

Today's post comes from a member our Lancaster Teen Haven program. Nate is 14 years old and has been coming to Teen Haven for about 2 years. He is a mature young man with great potential who the staff count it a "privilege" to be training up as a leader.

Many times, we have trouble letting go of the past experiences in our lives. Instead of receiving God’s forgiveness, we try to work for it and still wonder why those “old tapes” play in our heads. Why is it so hard to be free from the past?

Overcoming guilt has been a struggle for me. When I was thirteen years old, something I did (regrettably) stayed with me for a long time. I had a hard time believing that the Blood of Jesus was all that I needed for an eraser, to rid me of that blemish on my record. Sure, I understood that the Word of God was all truth, but it didn’t feel like it. It wasn’t until I realized what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross and understood the true forgiveness given to me through a relationship with Him. It wasn’t about feelings anymore, it was about Truth.

I now know the importance of prayer and standing on His Holy Word, when I don’t feel forgiven. 2 Corinthians 5:17 reads that “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has came.” Praise God for that.

-Nathaniel, Lancaster Teen Haven

Looking for a little depth

I’m reading a book describing the Rwandan genocide where almost a million people were slaughtered within an extremely short time period. During 1994, in the span of 100 days, 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered mostly by machete, mostly at the hands of colleagues, fellow villagers, and even relatives. This event was described as the ‘fastest and most efficient killing spree of the 20th century!’ Yet, Rwanda was statistically the most ‘Christian’ of any African country in the mid – 1990s!

How can we reconcile this (hopefully apparent) inconsistency where the church was unable to prevent or - at a minimum - restrain genocide? How is it possible that so many Christians could participate – while standing by or with machete in hand - in these acts of murder?

I began reading the book with hope of answering these questions and have yet to find adequate resolution. But the Rwandan story has forced me to consider the depth of the faith we are encouraging among homeless folks here at the Rescue Mission. Candidly, we have men and women going through the programs who have never been ‘written up’ or broken a rule while staying here. Many of them are not swearing, not drinking and dressing better and grooming more neatly than when they first arrived. Some can even quote the Bible and sing spiritual songs in chapel! And yet, some will leave here totally unchanged! Underneath the façade they are still thinking the same, struggling with the same issues as when they entered the program. And superficial faith is neither sufficient to prevent a holocaust nor can it withstand assault from the addictions, obsessions, toils, and difficulties that confront all of us in daily life.

How easy it is for all of us – Hutu and Tutsi, or resident and seasoned Christian alike – to define our faith by what we do or don’t do!

A superficial faith allowed the Christians of Rwanda to ‘friendly up’ to the then government. A superficial faith kept the Rwandan Christians from seeing the power grab of the majority Hutus for what it was – a twisted way to compensate for their prior exploitation by the Tutsis. A superficial faith tolerated the butchering of friend, brother and sister, grandma and aunt. And, though apparently less consequential, a superficial faith keeps our men and women – and us - in bondage to addiction and sin.

“Lord forgive us. Forgive us for settling for the ease of defining our faith by what we do or don’t do. Forgive us for judging others when our own heart is far from being centered on you. Forgive us for our pride and help us to be authentic and vulnerable so that in our weakness You will be glorified. And help all of us in the Body of Christ – Hutu, Tutsi, rescue mission worker and resident – grow deep in our relationship with You."

-Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries

What is poverty?

We are in the midst of a discussion – internally and externally – concerning poverty.

How do we define poverty and what are the causes?

Is there a difference between the deserving and the undeserving poor? Who makes that determination?

Define charity. Is it biblical? Is it redemptive? Who makes that determination?

Who are the poor? What do they look like? Is this an urban or a suburban or a rural issue? How do we respond? How do we determine who needs our help and who does not?

As we look at Outreach Ministries, I have been facilitating a discussion that seeks to answer those questions from God’s perspective. In my flesh, I can draw lines where God might require Love. In my cynicism, I can close doors while God requires open arms.

Answering the philosophical questions are important and necessary, however, there are real people, with real lives, and with real needs who will be affected by what I decide.

Way too much power for a sinner such as I. Good thing I have a sovereign God to lean on.

Pray for me and all the leaders, staff, residents, and volunteers for the wisdom to lean on God and the grace to minister out of His Love for us.

-Rick Rutter, Outreach Ministries

Jesus is Hope

I have often characterized our work as “standing at the edge of Hell pulling people out one at a time”. I can’t imagine doing anything else. Seeing men grasp the hope that will lift them from the pit is truly miraculous. Hope provides both the courage and the energy needed to “fight the good fight”. This hope is the indwelling Christ, who changes men from the inside out.

All too frequently though our men grab on to a wrong hope and these wrong hopes are not sufficient for the task. If we mistakenly focus our men solely on improving life skills, relapse prevention or Bible knowledge we may instill an inadequate hope. With insufficient hope they slip back into the pit. Many of our men are clinging to a false hope.

Real hope comes from trusting in the indwelling Christ alone. This is the scariest thing imaginable for our men. It is also the most difficult thing to teach. How do we teach trust? …not in a class …not in counseling …not by obeying rules …not by more discipline.

In my experience trust is caught, not taught. It is learned in relationship. It is modeled. It defies anything rote or programmatic. It requires an experience of much grace and truth over a long period of time in a safe & healing environment with unrelenting accountability done in genuine loving relationship.

It would be my wish that any who read this would stop and pray for our ministry, that we would be effective modelers of trusting in Jesus. And that our men would see our trust of Him and take the risk of trusting Him themselves.

Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

A tree in the city

Have you ever seen a tree planted in the city (you know in one of those cut-outs in the sidewalk)? Occasionally, one of those trees that was meant to “fit-in” and provide a pleasant diversion in an otherwise bleak landscape does much more than that. It grows so large that it breaks up the sidewalk, causes damage to the street, its roots damage water lines and sewer pipes, and its branches disrupt power lines. It changes not just the sightlines on the street, but it changes the street itself. When it was planted, it was intended to be a pleasant little thing, but now it threatens to disrupt the city.

A while ago I shared about planning for a teen leadership retreat. Well, last weekend was that retreat…Becoming Oaks – The Teen Haven Spring Leadership Retreat. Almost 50 teenagers from Philadelphia, Lancaster, Columbia, and York came to Teen Haven camp for an intense weekend of training, encouragement, and worship.

The emphasis was on encouraging these youth to understand the potential God has placed in each of them (like the potential of an acorn), and equip them to live up to that potential (like a majestic oak).

What encouraged me most in those three days was seeing how many of those teens are already spreading a firm foundation of roots and stretching their branches toward the sky. There was a hunger to learn, grow, and serve among these youth that is a precious resource.

The youth who left Teen Haven camp on May 28th are prepared to disrupt their cities. These “oaks of righteousness” will return home and continue to grow, and their lives will cause their communities to change. I can’t wait to see the work God will do through them. (Isaiah 61:3-4)

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

Learning about life

I work on the administration floor, away from the sweat and tears of real rescue mission work. In an attempt to understand what Water Street Rescue Mission is all about, I spent a Saturday evening on the women’s floor. Really, I spent a Saturday evening learning what life is all about.

I learned about the desire to achieve: I met a female resident in the elevator who had just found employment for the first time in two years. She was so excited and proud – you could see the joy bubbling up from inside of her.

I learned about the hardships of parenting: One resident was very pregnant, and she looked exhausted. It was all she could do to walk down the overly warm hallway (currently the women’s shelter does not have air conditioning), let alone tend to the two rambunctious children tugging and screaming at each arm. She struggled with understanding how to best discipline her children.

Another mother had three children, ranging from 3 to 6 years of age. I sat down with her kids who were watching Cinderella 2 in the lobby. They laughed and hugged me and jumped onto my lap. The youngest even started to cry when I had to leave. Their mom obviously loved them, but often spoke with a sharp tongue – maybe from the frustration of all that homelessness brings, or maybe that’s how her mother spoke to her.

I learned about living out faith. A resident shared about her job, and how her coworkers were giving her a hard time for being thorough and efficient. The resident said she wanted to do her best at the job the Lord had given her and share her faith at the same time, but others’ comments and looks were demeaning.

Thank you, Lord, for each unique individual you bring to Water Street Rescue Mission. Thank you for their gifts, talents, and dreams. Thank you for making a plan for their lives – for each of our lives.

Praising Him,

-Maria B. Ream, Public Relations and Media Manager

Death is life

I found out last week that a client we have helped for the last year has died. Ruth (fictitious name) was a woman in her 40’s tormented by alcoholism and the resulting health problems that come from years of drinking. When I met Ruth she was desperate for help in getting her medications. She was living in a half-way house and had a private Dr, but no money to get the medicines she needed to sustain her life.

I got her hooked into the Clinics prescription assistance program, and wouldn’t you know it, the paperwork got “lost”. I don’t blame her for being angry. She was used to having people let her down and not help her, and here we were, a “Christian” Clinic who also did not do what they promised.

As she was screaming at me over the telephone, my heart softened and ached for her. This was absolutely the Spirit of Jesus in me, for my usual response would have been to get firm with her, and if she didn’t stop yelling to hang up. I listened patiently until she was done, and then simply said, “I’m so sorry we messed up!” I told her I would do whatever was needed to make this right. First, I would get her the medications she needed immediately, and then re-file the paperwork for her medicines from the pharmaceutical company. All the while I was praying, “Lord, how & why did we mess up so for Ruth?”

I then got her address and personally delivered the medicines to her along with a note of apology and a small gift of a notepad & pen. Ruth called me the next day and said that she had not had an apology from anyone in many years and she was sorry she had acted so rudely. We talked and laughed together. What a moment of humility for me and a picture of the Spirit filling us with gentleness & forgiveness.

We continued to help Ruth over the next year get her medications & without any problems with the paperwork, thank the Lord!

She is now in heaven with Jesus, for she expressed to me that life is so hard for her, and she often stumbles, but it is Christ that is seeing her through. No more need for pills or paperwork Ruth & I look forward to seeing you in heaven!

-Gale Thomason, Director of Health Services

Letter from a friend

One of the chaplains recently passed this letter on to me from a former resident.

Hey Chaplain –

You might not remember me but my name is Dale ------ and I wrote this short pray that was read on the radio and I was thinking about you because you helped me when I was down and out. I’ve been clean since Sept. 9, 2005, I was discharged from Water Street in December of 2005 and I have continued to stay rooted and grounded in the word. Just wanted you to know that God works through people such as you and you remain in my heart and prays. Thank you for being you and may God continue to bless you as he sees fit.

Dale

PS – Feel free to share this with your class, it might help somebody that’s having a tough time.

The Song Prayer
By Dale -----

O Lord my God “How Great Thou Art” that you would “Pass Me Not” while I’m “Standing on the Promises” of your “Amazing Grace.”
I can count on your “Blessed Assurance” that as I “Trust and Obey” your commands “Heaven (will) Come Down and Glory Fill My Soul.”
“Nothing but the Blood” can wash away my sins, as I stand “Near the Cross” where my savior died, Hallelujah thine the glory that He has “Revived Us Again.”
Will He refuse us a home in Heaven “No Not One” because there’s “Victory in Jesus.”

Do I love you?

In my life here at the mission I am learning many truths about myself. Some things I thought were true I find were not. I sometimes use words I think I know the meanings of, but I really only know part of their meaning.

Take the word “Love” for example. When I say “I love you” to someone, what do I really mean? Am I saying I like you, you make me feel good, I want you to like me, I lust for you? Or am I saying I am willing to do anything to bring you true happiness even if it causes me pain?

God loves me so much that he sacrificed his only son on the cross to pay for my sins so I can live forever with him in heaven.

I know now that Love is not something you say. Love is something you do. If I say I love you and don’t do anything to meet your needs or help you in your struggles then I don’t really love you. If I say to God, “I love you,” but don’t try to live my life for him then I don’t really love God. If I don’t put my brothers needs before my own I’m not loving my brother.

I hope someone tells you they love you today.

- Lane R (a resident)

Me? Work with the homeless?

If someone had told me when I was younger that I would be working at a homeless shelter, I would have laughed at them. My dream was to be a history teacher. I never knew much about homeless people. I grew up in a middle class family. I remember helping our church when they went to the York Rescue Mission to serve meals and doing a chapel service. I remember thinking “those poor people.” However, I never really got to know them or talk to them. When I was 25 years old, I joined Brethren Volunteer Service, a volunteer organization in the Church of the Brethren. My first year assignment was at a homeless shelter in Fremont, CA as a case manager. What an eye opening experience for me!!!!

While there, I learned a lot about homelessness but more importantly I developed relationships with the men and women who stayed there. One woman, who was a resident, said to me one day, “you can become homeless!” That comment struck me in such a way that it made me think! She was right! I could lose it all because of choices or circumstances in my life. The homeless are people just like you or I. They have families. They have children. They have hopes and dreams. They go through problems. God knows how many hairs on their head like he does ours. God loves them like he loves me even when all of us make mistakes. God sent his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for anyone who believes in him (it doesn’t matter if your homeless or not!)

That year working in Fremont taught me a lot about homelessness but the people who were homeless taught me so much about life! Since I came back from that year, I have continued working with the homeless. I have tried to use that experience and my current experience to educate people whenever I can about people who are homeless. We aren’t different!

Matthew 25:40 “ …I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

- Mary Minnich, women’s counselor

Are you a Noun or an Adjective?

In the book of Acts, at the church in Antioch, “the disciples were first called Christians.” The noun “Christian” describes those who had devoted themselves to Christ. Jesus, and who they believed He was, directed and drove their lives.

How does that relate to the ministry of Rescue and Renewal that God works out through the various ministries of WSRM and specifically Outreach Ministries?

Well, the adjective “Christian” is often used to describe music, books, authors and TV programs, and generally, the “Christian” aspects of Outreach ministries that help set us apart from other groups attempting to do the same work. However, it is the noun, the person who God uses (Kerry, Jose, Ed, Pat, Bill, Lois, Jackie, Carl, Don, etc.) that should really set us apart from other agencies and organizations. The life I live with Christ, central to who I am, should dictate my thoughts, actions and motivations personally and programmatically.

Am I managing “Christian” (adjective) programs, hoping that the Gospel takes hold and lives are changed as a result?

Or, am I as a Christian, reflecting my Savior in the day-to-day, reflecting the hope, mercy and grace – challenging myself and those God allows to cross my path, with the reality of my Savior and the implications that holds for all life?

Father God, do not allow me to become comfortable in my faith or in my work, in my family or in Your Ministry. Constantly challenge me, wrestle with me as I struggle to articulate who Christ is to a world that does not know Him – and often denies Him – that I might continue to grow into the image of the Risen Savior and Your Name might be glorified throughout the earth

To God be the glory!
Amen

PS: Want to be challenged? My Book of the Month (maybe I can start a popular club like Oprah and get my books for free!) is Rob Bell’s “Velvet Elvis.” Articulate and challenging, this book has challenged my thought processes and convicted me of the sometimes shallowness of my faith (I KNOW that I am the only one who wrestles with that!). Pick it and be blessed – after you get past the uncomfortableness.

-Rick Rutter, Outreach Ministries Director

Blast from the past

A number of months ago, my wife and I took the girls to the pet store to look at the animals (that’s as close as we’ll get to a pet for a while – when you’ve still got three to potty train, you don’t really need a dog to mess with as well).

While looking at the hamsters, mice, and lizards, I heard a familiar voice. Elias came walking up from behind me and gave me a big hug. Elias was one of the kids I met early on in my time running the Youth Center, and I always felt he had great potential. But like many kids, he preferred to “flirt” with Jesus rather than really commit. He never got pulled into the “really” bad stuff that some of his friends did, but he had a bit of a temper and had a baby at a very young age. I wasn’t sure whether he would ever let go and truly follow Christ.

That night at the pet store, Elias caught me up on the last few years of his life. Short version: he is married with three kids, has a good job, a house, and most importantly – he has recommitted his life to Christ and is attending a strong, bible-teaching church. He is even involved in leadership of an outreach ministry of the church. He thanked me for the years at the youth center and assured me that even though it didn’t seem like it then, what we did and said and taught had a huge impact on him.

To be completely honest, I was ecstatic as I hugged Elias again and said goodbye that night, but a part of me wondered how much of his story was for real… he wouldn’t be the first kid to tell me what they think I want to hear rather than the truth. But it seemed real, and my heart felt that it was.

Two days ago, a gentleman from that church was visiting the mission, and we had a chance to talk. I asked if he knew Elias, and my heart leapt as he told me what an outstanding young man and leader Elias is becoming. Praise God.

Sometimes we see fruit in our ministry right away, sometimes we never do, and sometimes God blesses us with a blast from the past.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven Director

Refuge...

“The world breaks us all and some become stronger at the broken places” (Ernest Hemmingway).

Here at the Water Street Rescue Mission, we are a refuge; “a source of help, relief, and comfort in times of trouble”. An endless stream of the humbled flow through our open doors and yet, our constant dilemma is finding those who are actually broken. Though we offer provision to the many, we can only genuinely aid the broken; they alone have what it takes to become stronger at their broken places.

Doug is one of the broken. After completely destroying his life and exhausting his available work-related rehab options, he somehow found his way to our doors. After nearly nine months of submitting to our precious Jesus, Doug’s life is being restored. His family is again opening their arms to him, his railroad career is miraculously being restored, and his sweet Afton (11 years old) is cautiously looking forward to being embraced by her genuinely loving daddy. Doug continues his quest for Christ-like vulnerability and accountability. Last evening, I accompanied Doug to an AA meeting. What a Joy it was to see a formerly hardened old railroader softly asking for, and offering, genuinely intimate fellowship. Doug is becoming stronger at his broken places.

Ron is embracing brokenness. A former missionary to Africa; his marriage gone; his parents recently deceased; Ron crawled through our doors. It has been no small struggle for him to overcome the shame accompanying once ministering for Christ and walking away for a synthetic high. Lately, Ron has been expanding his accountability; painstakingly removing lies and codependent ways of relating from his life. Yesterday, Ron came to discuss his plan for lovingly setting good boundaries in a formerly sick, long-term friendship. Ron is becoming stronger at his broken places.

Then there’s Don, who recently surrendered his life to our precious Jesus and who took a great risk of being transparent in one of yesterday’s classes. And there’s Paul Jay, who has stepped into intimacy with Christ, new friends, and with his Godly calling. And, last but not least, there’s Bill whose stated goal is to make people smile and thus “lift someone else above the emptiness of their unbearable life...” …more men becoming stronger at their broken places.

My days are full, at this refuge called the Water Street Rescue Mission. Being broken is a wonderful privilege, bestowed by our loving God on those He greatly loves. I, too, am becoming stronger at my broken places and daily pray that I will be changed into what I was created to be…


- Norm Lowry, Men's Ministry Intern

From all walks...

We play a little flag football at the Mission during the fall of each year. The park behind the Mission has an athletic field that is convenient. Once a week maybe 6 to 12 residents from the men’s program convene. We warm up, divide up teams, put on the flag belts, and go at it for about an hour of good-natured play. I serve as the ref. Occasionally a chaplain or other staff member will join in.

One day a fellow who appeared in his 40’s came to play. It was obvious he had played football in his day, but was now a bit rusty and creaky after a number of years off. On the receiving end of pass routes, he caught everything that came his way. He pulled a hamstring near the end of the game that set him down. After the game I told him, “It looks like you’ve played before.” He cracked an embarrassed smile and let on, “Yes, I’ve played.” His girlfriend chimed in, “He played in the NFL.” In fact, we learned that he played for a couple years for two teams.

It got me thinking… We see folks from all walks of life come through the Mission… and backgrounds that do not fit neatly into the stereotyped category of “homeless”: former successful careers, advanced degrees, loving/caring families, church-going upbringing. I am tempted to think about such fortunate folks that “if they can’t stay on the straight and narrow, then who can”. And, the answer I am reminded is that in fact no one can, not even the most blessed of backgrounds. It is God’s work to keep us in his care and draw us to himself.

The one common denominator of guests at our Mission is a need that only God can fill. We are trusting God to give us wisdom concerning the communication of His love, and the way if His Kingdom in the lives of the men, women and children who come through.

-Steve Gentino, CFO

Between a rock and a hard place

We had a tough meeting today. We were caught between the tension of having to do more with less and the program staff was feeling it. They were weary of trying to fill a schedule while short staffed, weary of the pressure to make a program happen, weary of the unrelenting demands of trying to love broken people. Just very weary.

And I, the facilitator of the meeting, didn’t have a clue of what to say nor did I know how to encourage the tired folks around me. So we sat and looked at each other for a bit. And then we sat for a bit more. Finally I said, “I have nothing to say but let’s remember what we are to be about.”

“God has called us here to come alongside homeless and broken down people. As far as we know He hasn’t changed His desire for us. So now – even though we are weary and tired and short staffed and not sure we can contribute anything of value – let’s seek Him by continuing to walk in the calling He has on our lives.”

And you know what happened? Nothing really! We had neither new perspective nor any profound wisdom following the meeting! But we did leave grateful for this reminder: the God of the universe uses tired and weary and messed up people – such as us – to minister! It truly is all about Him and His agenda!

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

- Steve Brubaker, Director of Residential Ministries

Things I have learned...

Two things have became clear to me.

• Many seek God’s blessing, but I was surprised to learn that God has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3).
• I also learned that legalism is obeying God so that He will bless; under grace we obey God because He has blessed us. I had discovered that I am to bless others with the blessing God blessed me.

Thinking of blessing in a general way does not seem to work for me; thinking specifically does.

• Since God loved me, I am to love others (1 John 4:10-11).
• Since God forgave me, I am to forgive others (Eph. 4:32).
• Since God has comforted me, I am to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
• Since God has met my needs, I am to be generous (2 Cor. 9:8-11).

What a change in operation, to do based on what has been done, rather than to gain from God. Having learned these two things, my desire is to share them with others.

-Michael Haines, Chaplain

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