Leveraging for the Gospel

Certainly, we here at the mission would agree that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is at the heart of our ministry. Ultimately, all that really matters is Jesus and our connection (or lack of connection) to Him.

Still, there are questions of poverty and homelessness screaming at us from all sides that demand that we think carefully about how we choose to leverage our resources while sharing the Gospel. Here are some such questions:
• Will we stop serving someone if we conclude he/she is not responding, or is hostile to the Gospel?
• Are we ‘ok’ helping one out of homelessness and/or poverty who has no interest in Christ?
• Are we here to: 1) share the Gospel (or) 2) help the poor (or) 3) share the Gospel by helping the poor?
• Will we continue to sustain those who are not willing to take on the level of responsibility required to be self-sustaining?

How we answer these questions will determine how we use our resources and establish our system of Rescue.

Personally, I sense a call to serving the homeless/poor out of love for Jesus and a desire to please Him. My “Gospel” focus here in my work is the same as at home in my neighborhood. It motivates and permeates any acts of kindness in a manner that I hope reflects the high value I place on Jesus Christ.

To me, it does not seem Christ-like to leverage my resources to compel a gospel response. Could such a response ever be heart-felt? It seems better that others would see His lavish goodness and desire to come to Him freely than to ‘have to’, begrudgingly, to get sustenance for life.

In Rescue we are fond of saying, “Hope begins with a meal,” but then we make the meal leverage to get an individual to Chapel; we also make the shelter bed leverage to get them to Chapel. We may be fostering compliance and resentment more than love for Jesus.

In the Renewal part of our ministry, I think high expectations and accountability are good. In the Rescue part of our ministry, I think far fewer ‘strings attached’ will be best. In the gap between the two, I envision lovers of Jesus inviting without coercion those who would risk beginning the journey of hope.

Living in the tension, between Rescue and Renewal is not easy. We err repeatedly by getting them mixed in our minds. Mostly though, I think, this happens when we are too concerned about "them" taking advantage of "us."

In the “Good Samaritan" story, the Samaritan told the innkeeper, “Take care of him and when I return I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.” I see this as a huge risk for abuse.

Will we ever entice others with the lavish goodness of Jesus if we will not take the risk of abuse? Is not ‘taking our abuse’ exactly how Jesus convinced us to begin the journey into Him?

Freely given, freely give.

- Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

Under Construction

I have had the opportunity to serve as a member of the Water Street Rescue Mission Team in a variety of roles (during the past seven years) and in June 2007 transitioned into the position of Men’s Ministry Chaplain. Since June 2007, I have encountered many hurting souls that the Lord has brought to our campus. Although each of these ladies and gentlemen has a unique reason for coming to Water Street, the Lord calls us to serve and love them regardless of their past experiences. It is during the intense moments with those whom Jesus calls “The Least of These” in Matthew 25:40 that I have learned and grown the most.

As I reminisce back over the previous five years I spent at Teen Haven, as a youth counselor, I am grateful. It was during this season where I was groomed and prepared for my calling to work with the men at Water Street. Although I loved the young people (who are now getting older) that I ministered to, I (along with others in leadership) believed Men’s Ministry was where God was leading me next. I sensed that this is the purpose which the Lord had truly created (and redeemed) me for—to encourage those who are broken and have been marginalized into the shadows of life. Yes, my heart burns for what the Lord has called me to, but I would be dishonest if I said that it was anything like I had expected it to be.

For the past thirty-seven weeks, my heart has been conflicted with the joy, pain, and confusion that I have experienced here “in the trenches.” There was a time recently when I questioned if this is really what the Lord was leading me to. I had felt ill-equipped, and had become discouraged. Even after seeing (firsthand) the life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit on display, I have also watched people leave who mistakenly thought they “had it.” From that group there have been some who have come back, some who leave after coming back, and even some who have died.

As I reflected on the Lord and met with “the wise people” in my life, I have become re-centered that this is exactly where I am to be. I am reminded by Paul’s writing in 2 Corinthians as he wrote about his dialogue with the Lord,” My grace is sufficient for you; my power is made perfect in weakness” (12:8). I also am beginning to see that this isn’t about me. As I walk “with fear and trembling” through this initial year in Men’s Ministry, I am blessed to do so with the support of my family, mentors, and leadership here at the Mission. I will keep you posted as the construction continues.

-Michael Anthony Kerrigone Jr., Men's Ministry

Partnering to minister more effectively

At Teen Haven, we believe that effective ministry to teens takes more than one individual and it takes more than just one organization. We look for opportunities to partner with local churches and organizations because we recognize the diversity of gifts within the Body of Christ and the value that these diverse gifts bring to effective ministry. Sometimes this parntership looks like Teen Haven providing a facility for a youth group to hold a gym night, or holding leadership training programs for several churches to bring their teens to.

Sometimes it involves Teen Haven bringing some of our kids out to a youth group at a local church to participate in their activities and connect into that local body for growth and fellowship. That is what Alex is doing in York with some of his kids.

Calvary Baptist Church has an excellent youth group and I have truly appreciated them. I often bring a group of kids out to Calvary's youth programs. The preteens attend Calvary clubs and the teenagers attend youth group.

Well in last few weeks my van has been bursting at the seems with young people. The van is full to capacity and I am thankful. This weekend they will be holding a pine box derby and I think I have about 12 young people involved. Also this weekend 2 of my teenagers are going to a camp that they could not afford but the church is paying their way. The excitement of the kids as they return to Calvary is a testimony to the fun they are having, the warm welcome they are receiving, and all that they are learning.

I'm thankful for this part of the body of Christ that chooses to be a cheerful giver and is helping these young men see another part of Christian community.

-Alex Mikusow, Teen Haven, York

New hope in the "Refuge of Healing"

Some days I wonder if what we are doing in the Clinics is making a difference, and then God goes and does this as presentation of His power and Spirit at work!

The Water Street Medical Clinic agreed to be the clinical sight for “The Refuge of Healing” Christian counseling services starting in the spring of 2007. The number of patients from all over the community is growing! Many have come and been helped, with some having very slow progress. The needs some weeks seem overwhelming and we spend much time in prayer before and after each session.

Then last week, God brought in a young couple where she is pregnant with his child and he is caring for her child from a previous relationship. She tells the counselor that he is beating her and he admits that yes he is. That alone is a big step for the abuser to readily admit that he is abusive and that he has such rage that he doesn’t know what to do.

As they told their story and the counselor gave godly insight you could see the anger dissipate and the hurt and heart of the matter came forward. The lack of love in both of their lives was heart breaking and they were living as they knew. The counselor then told them about love that is all consuming, all forgiving and all healing through Jesus Christ. They both knew of Him but didn’t Know Him personally. They both prayed for Christ to forgive them and to help them. They prayed the prayer of believing that Jesus is God’s Son that died for them. Praise God, I could feel heaven celebrating!

God keeps bringing this young couple to mind this week and I know to pray for them for Satan will not be happy that they have given their lives over to Christ. I am praying they remember to pray, reach out to the believers they have set them up with for support, and to return for more counseling on Christ’s healing and strength in their lives. The road with Christ is fraught with danger from the evil one, but we know who wins! They (I) may stumble and fall, but forgiveness and hope is just a prayer away. He loves to pick us up, dust off the dirt of where we have been, and send us on His path. The little one they had with them and the one yet unborn will have hope as their parents learn to live with the hope and strength of Christ for a new life! Lord, break the cycle in people’s lives of pain and hopelessness and use us as your servants to others.

- Gale Thomason, Water Street Clinics

The Gathering Place - reflecting the heart of God

The Gathering Place is a ministry in Lancaster City that works with people who have HIV or AIDS. This year, they are commemorating their 20th anniversary. Water Street Rescue Mission partners with them in meeting the needs of hurting people and is grateful for how God has used them to His glory in such a vital and redemptive way. The following is a letter from honoring their anniversary:

When I think of the Gathering Place …

I am reminded of many things when I think of the Gathering Place.

First I think of who God is and how Jesus came to this earth most purposefully to meet the broken and hurting, those who carry labels like poor, homeless, addict, and HIV-positive. That these people - who are truly most invisible to most of society – are treated with respect and dignity by the Gathering Place reflects the very heart of God.

I think too of how the Gathering Place embodies faithfulness as the staff and volunteers remain true to the founding vision of always being ‘there for’ the clients most especially when their situation is most dire and their suffering most great. This too reflects the heart of God.

And I am reminded of how trustworthy God is but also how unpredictable. Who could have predicted His choice of a construction guy to receive the vision for this ministry and His use of this same guy to flesh out the vision every day in such a redemptive and compelling way? Who He chose to lead this ministry reflects the wisdom of His heart also!

So to Bob and Melanie and to all the staff and volunteers of the Gathering Place we thank you for your colleagueship, your heart, your vision, your mission, your service, your compassion, your love for the least and the lost. May God be glorified as you embark on the next twenty years.

Truly, thank you.

All our love,

Steve Brubaker
Director of Residential Programs
Water Street Rescue Mission

Thank you to leaders...

We're doing something a little different at Teen Haven Camp this weekend.

Usually during the school year, camp runs a 3-1 schedule. 3 weeks of Teen Haven Camp - kids from Philadelphia, York, and Lancaster come to camp and Teen Haven staff run the program; and 1 week of an outside church rental - church runs their own program and Teen Haven staff provide background support (facilities, meals, etc).

During the "Teen Haven Camp" weekends, anywhere from 5-15 teenage leaders from our city ministries serve various roles to make the camp run smoothly, and to minister to the campers. The teens serve as cabin supervisors, junior counselors, kitchen staff, and occasionally maintenance assistants.

By the time a young teen with leadership potential is 16 years old, they may be done with their years of being "just a camper."

Well, this weekend is just for those special teens who have given of themselves to serve God, to serve Teen Haven, and to serve other youth from their communities. This weekend is a special leaders retreat. No campers to watch, no scheduled activities to supervise, not even any training seminars or workshops to make them better leaders. Just a weekend of fun and fellowship. A weekend of "Thank you for giving of yourselves to help others."

Please pray that all the teen leaders who attend this "Thank you" weekend will have a safe, restful, and fun weekend at Teen Haven Camp.

Our ministry would not be the same without their selfless service.

-Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

Where there is a will...

Sometimes We need to think outside of our normal programs in order tomeet the needs of those God brings our ways. Here is another example of with from our Teen Haven ministry in Philadelphia:

Last month three girls finally attended camp from the Hill family. For months they were trying to come to camp but other church activities the children were involved in forced them to cancel.

After attending in January the girls had a great time and went back and shared with their parents. The girls were really interested in attending our Bible Study on Tuesday nights, but they lived outside of our normal boundaries. After talking with their mother about different options, and trying to make it work, we concluded that the girls would not be arriving home until well after 10pm which would not work for a school night. Needless to say, the girls, their mom and I were all disappointed.

Their mother was still determined. She is concerned that their youth group is more focused on games and social time and isn't helping the girls to grow spiritually. I offered to mail four quiet-time books and four notebooks to her and her girls that they would be able to be doing what we do at Bible study. She was so excited that she said she would pay for the postage by sending in a donation. I also suggested that I would be willing to come to her home once a month with some girls from Bible study and do a lesson with her and her girls and have the leaders check her girls quiet-times. She thought that would be great and said she would provide lunch for us.

We are excited for the start of this new relationship and for the ooportunities to connect not only with this family, but even their church as well. God is making a way even outside of our normal way of doing things.

-Oddet Mears, Teen Haven Philly

Superman, Batman... or Jesus?

So, who's your favorite superhero?

As a kid I always liked Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk. Maybe you're a Superman fan, or Batman, or maybe you were into the more obscure superheroes like Green Lantern, Captain America, or Dwight Howard (you NBA dunk contest fans know what I'm talking about).

Nikki, one of our Wonder Club teachers, recently shared with me a great story about the new superhero that is capturing the imagination of her pre-kindergarten students:

During free play time at school one day, two of her students ended up sitting a table having a pretty intense discussion...

"So, who is your favorite superhero?"

"My favorite superhero is Jesus!"

"Really, Jesus is my favorite superhero, too!"

"No way, are you on Jesus' team, too?"

Superheroes can be great role models for young kids, they can teach us about character, justice, and courage. How exciting to see these 4 year-olds recognize a role model even greater than Superman.

Staying connected

Working in youth ministry anywhere can sometimes be bitter sweet: you invest and care deeply for a teen, watch them grow, and then either they graduate and slowly drift away or they move and it is hard to know whether all you taught them and all that God has shown them really stuck. This can be especially true in the city where transiency and sudden changes in life circumstances are the norm rather than the exception.

This uncertainty of urban ministry makes it especially sweet when we are able to stay in touch and watch God continue to work in the life of a former Teen Haven "kid."

Once a week I get a phone call from EC (pronounced "Eee See"). Believe it or not, that is the actual name on his birth certificate. EC is 20 years old and is attending school at York Technical Institute. He will be graduating this summer and there might be wedding bells following that.

He calls me and often we will chat about scripture and what he is learning. Right now he is going through 1&2 Corinthians. We recently spoke about the headship of Jesus Christ in our lives and being a man of prayer.

What an encouragement to know God has built up our friendship based on the God of the Bible.

-Alex, York Teen Haven

Ministering grace to one another...

One of the blessings of working at WSRM is the staff realizes that we are just one of the venues through which God might choose to work in the lives of those he brings here. He works just as often through fellow residents to minister to those who need to feel his touch. A slice of life at WSRM from 2007:

We had a very interesting chapel this morning. I was sharing excerpts from Philip Yancey's book "What's So Amazing About Grace?". We started out talking about what we think grace is, where it comes from, what to do with it, etc... moved into things that prevent us from either accepting grace or showing it to others. For example, we spent quite a bit of time talking about a Ben Franklin quote about pride, and then went into guilt and shame, in relation to how these effect our ability to show grace.

I read a quote in the book that talks about "the three common sources of crippling shame", which are: secular society, a graceless church, and unaccepting parents. I said that I knew I had been affected by all of these and asked if anyone else felt that they had. Many hands went up at that point, but as they went back down, Stewart's hand stayed up. I said "go ahead" and as he started to speak, he completely broke down sobbing and shaking.

Some of the guys were encouraging him and one got up and put his arm around him and brought him some kleenex. Jerry (another gentleman in our program) jumped up and asked if we could come around Stewart and pray for him, which we did for some time. As we debriefed after chapel, it came out that Stewart is dealing with some very heavy stuff from his childhood and struggling with the idea that he can be forgiven.

-Scooter, Director of Operations

Systems and Relationships

I have been thinking recently about relationships and helping someone who is homeless. Specifically, I have been thinking about relationship and systems. I think humans are pretty good at designing systems, including systems to help people. In my world of caring for homeless individuals we call them “continuum of care systems” or “the social service system” or the “health system”. I am proud of some great systems of care that our community has developed to help people in need. There are people and processes ready to help where needed.

I was wondering though what role relationships have in the success of those great systems? In working with homeless individuals, relationships of trust are incredibly important. It is not unlike the relationship of a business with a customer. Without the trust of its customers, a business will not succeed. Without trust an individual—a homeless person—may not choose to access available services simply because they don’t know and therefore don’t trust the people in the system. All the great intentions and best systems fail if not interwoven with relationships of trust.

I think we need to regularly guard against allowing really good systems of care to push out relationship. Relationships can be hard work. Creating and managing systems often seems easier and, to be honest, it is. I think the key variable is that in a relationship we don’t have as much control over the outcomes.

I think when we value the system more than the relationship, caseworkers get weary. The daily work becomes managing the system instead of helping the person. When we push relationship out of the provision of care, a homeless person becomes discouraged, disillusioned and even more frustrated with life. I know this because, ashamedly, there are times I catch myself focusing more on ‘systems of care’ than on the people for whom they are designed to care. I must remind myself that systems without relationships are simply inhumane.

-Jere Shertzer, WSRM President

God at work (in big and small ways)

It is incredible what God can do in a minute, in a day, in a month. The Lydia Center is Water Street Rescue Mission’s long-term recovery program for women. The following stories are examples of some of the things God has been doing there recently!

--The staff had been praying that God would provide workbooks for Beth Moore’s study Breaking Free as well as volunteers to lead the study with the ladies. God provided both!

--One lady who enrolled in the Lydia Center was not engaging in the program for the first 3 weeks of her commitment. She seemed shut down emotionally. She didn’t feel she really needed all the program had to offer. Finally after several weeks, she has shown a willingness to look inside at what’s going on in her heart. She has been honest about her heart struggles. She shows a willingness to receive input from others. She loves to worship the Lord, and she talks about wanting to do things that please Him.

--In the last few weeks, another client has really come out of her shell. We have seen her looking happier, engaging more in the community, and taking more responsibility for herself. She is more conversational, enjoys the company of others, and allows her true colors to show. God has brought this dear woman a long way in her view of herself and what she offers to others!

Perfection - this side of heaven

I used to believe that work in a Christian organization would be a bit like heaven – no tension, problems, or disagreements. I no longer operate under this delusion. I’ve come to see that any association comprised of flawed people can never approximate the perfection of a future paradise. An organization conceived, constructed, and controlled by men is destined to be characterized by relational rifts and conflict.

And this is to be expected. Sin is alive and well and saturates everyone’s heart.

I also see something else that contributes to the persistent capacity we have to hurt and sin against each other. Everyone with whom I work is insanely passionate about what they are doing! I can think of no one who works here simply because ‘it’s a job!’ Each of my colleagues is deeply zealous about what he or she does. Each believes they are ‘called’ to minister here. And each is striving to make Jesus the Lord of every aspect of his or her life, to not compartmentalize. So when conflict happens it feels like a personal attack and it really hurts! Disagreement, though actually inevitable, feels so personal because it threatens the essence of ‘what I do, how I think, and who I am.’

Where does this leave us? Are we to walk in fear of messing up? Are we to be consumed with making sure we stay in the lines as we color? Is inoffensiveness our ultimate goal? Are we to walk on eggshells with each other and withhold what we think or who we really are in order to maintain the peace? I’m not exactly sure about all of this but am reminded of something Martin Luther wrote in a letter to his friend, Philipp Melanchthon. Luther was quoted by others after his death as saying, ‘if you sin, sin boldly.’

Here is some of the context around what he really said:

If you are a preacher of mercy, do not preach an imaginary but the true mercy. If the mercy is true, you must therefore bear the true, not an imaginary sin. God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We, however, are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign (2. Peter 3:13). It suffices that through God's glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard for you are quite a sinner.

Another explains Luther’s comments this way:

“Luther was making the point to Philip Melancthon that God's grace calls us to live boldly. If you are going to do something do it with confidence. Know that if you screw it up, God's grace and forgiveness is mightier than your efforts to screw up. No he is not calling us to go out and sin to get grace flowing (though he has said that if you cannot find a sin in your life go and commit some small sin so you can know that you are a sinner); he is saying that we are not going to get thrown away by sinning. Go out and proclaim God with confidence... you are a sinner but God is not ever going to be outdone in His ability to forgive a sin.

Think of this analogy ... if you are in high school on the football team and the coach tells you that if you make one mistake he is yanking you out of the game for the duration, then you are not going to play good ball because you will be too worried about making a mistake. But if the coach tells you to go out and play as hard as you can, to give it all on the field, and not to worry about getting yanked, then you will play a much better ball game because you are free to go out and play without worrying about mistakes. Go and sin boldly, live boldly is the same thing.”
So when you’re in the game, play as hard as you can. As a coach always says, ‘don’t leave anything on the field!’ Press onward!

-Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries

Joy in the flood

Urban ministry is not always fine dining and caviar (oops, is it ever) or even a bed of roses - sometimes it smells a bit different. The story below is from Alex Mikusow, our York Teen Haven Field Director who lives in our TH Center in the city of York:

Last summer my basement flooded due too a raw sewage backup of the city sewer. Because I'm the lowest point on the block I had about 20 inches of water in my basement. It wasn't pleasant or joyous.

But then the Lord sent his saints to my rescue and encouragement.

Daniel, my next door neighbor who attends my Bible study and is a cabin supervisor at our camp, came over to help. My brother Vinny, our camp director, also arrived with bleach, brooms and brushes to help me out. By the end of the evening the city came and helped pump out what they could as well. They were also able to unclog the blockage.

But the real joy was remembering what James said, "Count it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the trying of your faith produces patience". My brothers in Christ helped me to remember what I already knew.

-Alex

The $75 Adventure

Here's our first attempt to include a video clip on our blog... hope you like it (you may have to click the "play" arrow twice to get it to run). This comes from a friend of the Mission who created a unique opportunity to teach his daughters about sharing with others:

The last time I worked for my Uncle I picked up lunch for his workers, but forgot to give him the change back—it was a $75 mishap. The next day, realizing my mistake, I called him up. He joked with me a little bit at first, but then told me to keep the money and spend it on my children. My uncle and aunt, although very generous and kind do not know the Lord. We pray for them continually and seek out opportunities to “show” them how a follower of Christ lives.

My 3 daughters, ages 6, 4, and 1 have plenty of toys and clothes. We have a tight budget but we make it work every month.They were in need of nothing, so we decided to give them an opportunity to give the money away.

After some family discussion, I took the $75, added $25 of our own, grabbed my two eldest daughters and jumped in our van. On the way to Amelia’s Grocery Outlet, I called Maurice and asked him what he needed. He told me the kitchen needed juice, so the 3 of us filled up 2 carts with 100 containers of juice. We nearly cleaned out Amelia’s juice aisle. The best part was we videoed the entire experience from start to finish. It was an incredible opportunity to model for my children the value of giving to those in need. We talked about why the Rescue Mission exists and how they love people It was a $100 lesson that was worth 10 times that amount. The next day I edited the video, which we entitled “the $75 Adventure,” burned it to a DVD and sent it to their house. My Aunt and Uncle loved the video and were thrilled to see their money at work.

- Jason, friend of the Mission

Allowing Christ to use you as He sees fit

This past fall, the pastors at my church gave a series of sermons related to Stepping Out in Faith: being willing to allow God to use us in ways that we have not permitted Him to use us before. The following account is a great example of stepping out in faith!

One day recently I sat down for lunch with "Robert". He mentioned that the past sixteen months have been the longest he has remained in one location for a long, long time. I asked him where he had lived before he came to Water Street and how he came to be living here. He told me that he had been picking watermelons in North Carolina and decided that he would move on to Florida to visit some of his relatives there. As he walked along the highway heading south, a trucker pulled off the road and called out to him, “Are you broken down?” "Robert" was confused about what the trucker was asking him, until the trucker pointed to a rig parked along the road. The trucker thought that "Robert" was the driver of that rig, and that he was walking to get help. "Robert" explained that he just happened to be walking in that area, on his way to Florida. The trucker invited "Robert" to ride with him, as he was delivering his load to Jacksonville.

As the two men headed south, the trucker evidently realized that "Robert" needed an important change in his life, one that only the Lord could provide. He offered to take "Robert" to a place where he could get his life straightened out, and told "Robert" that he didn’t need to make an immediate decision, but to think about it as they traveled together for several hours. The trucker was from Lancaster County and explained that he himself had gone to the Water Street Rescue Mission about five years earlier and had become a new person in Christ.

As "Robert" thought about this offer, he imagined that this trucker was an angel of the Lord, holding open the door of Heaven for him. How could he refuse such an opportunity? He decided that, “Yes! I will accept this offer.” After visiting his relatives in Florida, "Robert" was picked up by the trucker, and together they headed to Lancaster. The rest is history. "Robert" is now walking with the Lord in newness of life. He is engaged in the Christian Life Development program and recently started a new job.

The Lancaster trucker, although out on the road all week long, occasionally checks in with "Robert" to see how things are going. He has invited "Robert" to visit in his home and has taken him along to his church. "Robert"’s life is definitely headed in a different direction than it was the day that he met the trucker along that North Carolina highway! And that’s because of the Christ that he met at the foot of the cross!

Praise the Lord for the trucker’s willingness to step out in faith and allow the Lord to use him in an unexpected way!

-Ron Pawling, Business Office

We're back!

Here's hoping 2008 will be a little more consistent here on our little blog...

Look below for a brand new glimpse at life on Grace Plateau.

Wise me up, too...

I love how God knows what I need and doesn’t think inside my box.

Several months ago, “Maria” became my client here at the Lydia Center. Because of her simplicity, short attention span, and difficulty comprehending, I was not sure how I could help her. I whined and got upset at people who had sent her my way. Several months ago, I made a referral for her for housing and to my shame, was getting excited that I wouldn’t have to deal with her anymore.

Well, God is using “Maria” to teach me how to love well. I have seen her blossom so much from when she first entered here b/c she knows that she is loved and belongs. She recently stole the show at our Lydia Center talent show. She has such a kind heart and simple faith. Her mannerisms and the things she says are so endearing. I have come to enjoy my time with “Maria” so much, and now I will probably cry when her housing comes through and she spreads her wings to fly.

I am still not always sure how I can help "Maria", but I’m beginning to think that God may have sent her this way to teach me a few things:
1) to love others as He loves
2) to enjoy life and not take it so seriously
3) to laugh at myself
4) not to judge others on appearance or ability
5) to teach me patience and to enjoy the moment
6) and just to bless me.

The other day in counseling, “Maria” prayed this sweet prayer, “Keep an eye on all of us up here on this mountain…Give Lorene wisdom, and wise me up, too, to be kinda like You. Amen.”

Lord, I’m sorry for my selfish, judgmental ways. May I be more like You and love as You love. I thank you for teaching me through this precious woman. Bless her, as she continues to know You more and goes her way in life. May her life be as sweet to You as it is to me.

-Lorene, counselor at Lydia Center

My Resignation

For so many years,

I kept running from fears.

I kept living my way,

In search of fun everyday.

I took for granted all my responsibility,

All stemming from denial of my ability.

When the landlord knocked at my door,

The words I heard, I heard times before.

Thinking again I've been down this road before,

I turned to leave and shut the door.

I kept living a life, Oh, what a mess,

If only I had God would I surely be blessed.

I must have walked 10 miles or so, and

What came to mind was "Footprints in the Sand."

Oh what a blessing, walking that night,

Jesus was watching, I was in his sight.

I had blisters on my feet at my destination,

But my thanks to God, Satan received my resignation.

Written Testimony by Jeff - Men's CLD program

Check us out this Sunday...

Hey - This Sunday is our Fall Open House!

This is second Open House since our big renovations were completed this Spring. Try to stop by between 1-4pm to see what things look like today. Above are some pictures from the beginning of the Renovation Process - the change is amazing... come and see!

If you can't make it on Sunday, give us a call to set up a tour at your convenience.

Thank You God...

I used to drive past the Water Street Rescue Mission and think to myself, “Boy, I’m sure glad I’ll never end up there”. Well, here I am! The worst thing I thought could never happen…turns out to be the best thing that ever happened in my life. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t like being here but without the help of all the good people here, I would never have had the courage to surrender and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Thank God; He gave me this chance.

I have learned a lot since coming here…so much that I didn’t think my brain could accept anymore information. Well, I kept stuffing it in there and some things started making sense…like doing things the easy way, just to find that it usually makes everything else difficult. It’s hard being a Christian but in the long run, with the help of the Lord everything seems so much more bearable.

There are two good teachings that really stick with me: #1. There is nothing I can do to make God love me less. And there is nothing I can do to make God love me more (Thanks, Scooter); and #2. Real growth comes when I learn to trust God at the hardest possible time (Biblical Life Management).

Thanks to everyone here for opening my eyes and letting me know I am worth it. Thank You, God!

--Mark, resident - Christian Life Development program, Transition phase

Serving Water Street... and Haiti

A group of volunteers recently replaced the ceiling tiles in our men's emergency shelter. Needless to say, we were quite grateful. As they emailed Chuck, one of our chaplains, with the rest of the story, we were amazed by God's goodness and timing in blessing not only us, but a ministry in Haiti as well.

Hi Chuck-

... Here is what God has done.

My husband, Ken, and I planned a spaghetti dinner to raise money for Good Samaritan Mission School in Beaufort, Haiti. It took place on Saturday, May 5. We had spaghetti, salad, and bread left over and took it to WSRM on Sunday, May 6 after church. Our friends, Claudette and Michael Austin were with us. We did not know that on that day there was an Open House. We decided to stay and take a tour. The medical and dental facilities and the women's shelter were beautiful. Then we arrived at the Men's Emergency Shelter. It had not been renovated. Ken stated that he thought that we should do a fundraiser and raise the money to replace the ceiling tiles in the Men's Emergency shelter. It was decided that we would.

On Saturday, July 7 a yard sale and aluminum can drive was held. We raised $850.00. We approached building supply stores to ask for a discount to purchase the supplies we needed. The Home Depot responded with a 20 percent discount. Our bill for the ceiling tiles, light defusers, and a bathroom fan came to $721.00 exactly.

During the time we were preparing to do the work at the mission, we went to the PA Haiti Benefit Auction. Ken and I have gone to this event for many years and have developed a friendship with Leon, a missionary that drills wells in Haiti. Since I am a school nurse, he asked if I could find some uniforms for a soccer team that he was forming in Haiti. I said that I would. After searching for a good price, Ken and I decided that we would order the shirts and shorts from a local apparel printing shop. The sales person offered a discount. When we recieved the bill we found that the amount due was exactly $129.00. The exact amount left over from the fundraising.

God reminds me always that we have nothing to worry about. He has ALL things taken care of.

Thank you, Chuck. I hope to see you soon when we hang the new curtains and the shower curtains.

With Love, Ken and Kathy Wall

Everyone deserves a second chance...

Solomon aptly said, “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away…” Song of Songs 8: 7

Like most of our serious clients, Russell could barely stumble through the doors of the Water Street Rescue Mission. He had sold his life off for a steady handful of pills; a price that could no longer purchase relief. Dark shadows haunted Russell, reminding him of his life’s most painful memories; memories of a wife who now belonged to another and of a daughter and granddaughter who had grown up, without him; memories of countless broken promises.

On Russell’s first day with us, he met Chuck (men’s counselor) who simply began loving him to our precious Jesus. Imagine my joy, when Chuck called to share the news that Russell had accepted Jesus, flushed the pills, and was going to join our Christian Life Recovery Program (to change his life). For nearly 1 ½ years now, Russell has been following Jesus, “by faith”. He has surely relished the tender moments, when God would touch him in a deeply personal way, but mostly Russell has trusted Jesus, as he takes “one more” painful step of Recovery.

In September, I was blessed to attend a wedding with Russell. His daughter had invited her changing dad (and me) to share in her day. Imagine the immense Joy on Russell’s face, as a long line of relatives and friends from his past (relationships he thought were utterly destroyed) came up to shake his hand and to hug him, welcoming him back into their lives. And imagine a beaming Russell, as his daughter came with a welcoming hug saying, “Daddy, I have always wondered if you would be at my wedding but you came and you’re doing so well. I’m so proud of you”. Now imagine a happy man being hugged by a lovely little granddaughter (who he only held as a baby).

It was interesting to note that the scripture Russell’s daughter chose for her table gifts was the very first scripture Russell memorized, “Love is patient; love is kind…” How apt are the words of his former in-laws, “Everyone deserves a second chance, Russell”.

--Norm Lowry (Learning Center Coordinator)

It's not fair that...

I was asked to assist my Pastor with a presentation at church relating to "justice and longing for God," so I decided to take a little poll of some staff and residents. Here are the results:

Please complete the following sentence:

"It's not fair that..."

…some people are homeless while others drive $80,000 cars past them
…some of us are allowed to work just one bad decision away from being homeless
…millions of children are undernourished and many of us throw away sinful quantities of food
…life is hard
…those who choose to live a healthy life free of smoking, alcohol & drug abuse, etc. still get cancer.
…young people die
…Some get over, others don’t
…Good things happen to bad people
…Bad things happen to good people
…Children suffer
…The rich get richer, the poor …
…I was born in America and … someone else was born in poverty
…my poverty disrupts my family
…people don’t know Jesus
…when we get wisdom it’s too late to stop what we shouldn’t have done
…when you commit to following Christ, you are not exempt from being emotionally & physically abused by Christians.
…Christians harshly judge others by their political choices
…I am the one who sinned, and Jesus is the sinless One who became sin for me, and gave me His righteousness instead.
…the Lord gave us the Love Commandment, and the Holy Spirit to enable us to do it, and yet we treat each other as if we were not even His children.
… I have parents that love God, each other, my siblings and me, while so many of my struggling brothers and sisters in Christ do not know what it is like to be in a nurturing environment like I was.
…we got off the hook at Jesus’ expense
…some couples try unsuccessfully for years to have children they would love, while other couples breed like rabbits to produce children they don't want
…there are millions of children without parents, and adoption costs tens of thousands of dollars and years of red tape
…the biggest disease on the planet is loneliness
…the burden (and often, cost) of raising children too often falls to the mother.
…grown children disrespect and disregard their parents and/or grandparents.
…I have been wrongly accused by another
…I was grounded this weekend
…I don’t have his office
…you have more money than I do
…so many people live in poverty and I live in abundance
…some of us had opportunities for education and advancement, while others were stuck in situations of merely striving for subsistence
…I sit here with a full stomach typing on the computer, while people have just died from starvation

- Debbie Miller, Administration

We are only a part of the journey

When I first started in the ministry of rescue I was a bit naïve and thought a bit too highly of my part in the life of the men. At that time, if a man would attempt to leave the program prematurely, I would (literally) stand in his way and plead with him not to go. I truly believed that for him to leave us would mean that he had stepped out of the Lord’s work in his life.

Today that thinking seems obviously misguided. I realize now that the Lord has been working in a man’s life well before he ever gets to us and that He will continue to work long after the man leaves us. We only get to participate with the Lord’s work in a man’s life and then only for a season (and seasons come and seasons go).

With this wiser, more accurate sense of our part in a man’s life we work hard to sense what the Lord is already doing in him when he arrives. As we interview him for potential intake into our program (we do not use this process for Emergency Services), we are looking for signs that we are the next step in the Lord’s plan for this man’s life.

We believe the Lord has led us in the development of the program services we offer. We also believe that if we are the best next step for a man then he will fit who we are. The essential criteria to help us make that decision are these:
Brokenness: has this man come to the end of his own efforts to make life work his way?
Openness: is this man ready to receive input from others?
Desperation: does this man see the severity of his life condition and the consequences if he does not get help?

The intake interview is a two-step, two-person process. The Emergency Shelter Chaplain begins the process and I complete it. Along the way we attempt to connect deeply enough with the man to see his true condition –often by offering him alternatives— to see if he is actually ready for who we are. If we believe he is ready, he is invited in. If we are not sure he is ready, he is placed on a one week trial period. If we do not believe he is ready, he is not invited in.

Once a man enters the program we evaluate him regularly as to his continued brokenness, openness and desperation. If it becomes clear that a man no longer has these key life-change prerequisites, it may be time for him to leave. To discern this, we convene a panel of his peers (3) and staff members (3 or more). And through a lengthy conversation with him, we determine whether or not he should continue to be in our program.

If we release a man, we are not at all “giving up on him.” We are instead stepping aside for the next step in the Lord’s journey for the man. We may, down the road, be used again in that journey and we may not; we are only part of the journey.

- Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

Apologies...

Sadly, my blog management has been pretty pathetic. Once again, I will pledge to try to do better. Hopefully you will see at least 2 new posts per week (I will try for more, but 2 is a realistic commitment at this time).

I hope the stories we share are an encouragement to any who read them and give you a glimpse into life at Water Street.

-Jack

God gives lemonade...

A story as told by Maurice Yarbrough, Food Service Director:

God (through his people and many local companies) keeps our kitchen stocked with enough food and drink to provide 3 meals a day to hundreds of residents and friends from the community. Sometimes though, both staff and clients can begin to take God's abundant provision for granted. Earlier this week, we ran out of flavored drinks (teas, juices, etc) and we had several meals in a row where the only option we had was water.

Some individuals, a little disappointed and frustrated, began to complain about the situation. God prompted me to help them check their spirits, so rather than listen to their complaining, I encouraged them to pray about it and ask God to provide something other than water.

How exciting to see God answer the prayer so quickly, when later that same day, a truck dropped off two cases of juice. Then, the next morning, we received a donation of two skids of Turkey Hill lemonade (if you never worked in a warehouse, that's a lot of lemonade).

Maybe someday, we'll all be more like Paul: "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Phil 4:12b) Still, we will acknowledge and thank God for all he does (in spite of our attitudes, sometimes).

Jesus was a Homeless Stranger

At the end of an especially trying week, I pulled into the parking lot at 210 South Prince Street. The male residents were making their way to chapel. The mothers and their children were returning from the dining hall to their dormitory.

While in the car still, I finished up a phone call with a friend caught up in turmoil. His life was spiraling downward and he was fragile and angry. The conversation was turning accusatory and I was receiving the brunt of it. It was becoming harder and harder emotionally for me to maintain my composure. I began to sob in my car now parked in a space in front of the mission. I quietly said goodbye and hung up. I sensed our friendship coming to an end. I felt the sting of rejection. I was in pain.

But there was a job waiting for me in Administration. I had a supervisor depending on me. I wiped away tears and began to cross the parking lot. From the corner of my eye I saw Francisco, a newer resident, who I greeted every morning on the corner where he started his day.

I didn’t have any energy for Francisco this morning. I’ll pretend I don’t see him, I thought. He won’t notice. As I neared “his” corner it became obvious our paths would intersect. He extended his hand to me. I reached out mine... he grasped it and he held it up to his heart. “Buenos dios,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Hello,” he said, smiling a wide toothless grin.

There are times my problems can seem so small. And yet so big. Simply put, God sees them all. And in this instance He provided me comfort from a homeless stranger. Francisco showed me Jesus. May I be able to do the same.

- Debbi Miller, Administration

God says that He loves me...

I say I want help…but I spurn advice.
I say I want to change…but I refuse to learn how.
I say I want to love…but I continue to hate.
I say I want to know God…but I seek him not.
I say I’m tired of this life…but I hang on with a death grip.
I say I understand…but in reality I haven’t a clue.
I say that I’m listening…but I don’t really hear.
I say that I care…but yet it’s all about me.
I say that I’m grateful…but I complain everyday.
I say that “you’re right”…but I sneer at your stupidity.
I say that I’m afraid…but I never let anyone see it.
I say that I’m hurting…but I cover it with a laugh.
I say that I’m willing…but then I break all the rules.
I say I love my Dad…but I’m still waging war with him.
I say I love my Mom…but my feelings matter more than hers.
I say I want to go to church…but I seek out hypocrisy.
I say that you’re my friend…but that’s solely for my benefit.
I say I know I’m a sinner…but I’m not as bad as you.
I say that God has blessed me…but I take everything for granted.
I say “maybe tomorrow”…but I don’t even have it.
I say I desire humility…but I don’t bend my knees to pray.
I say that I practice forgiveness…but I cherish perceived ways.

God says that He loves me…but I say, “Why?”

—Don (Men’s CLD Program)

Waves happen

There seems to be a never ending series of waves that course through our lives. Many of them seem to arrive with a crash, knocking us down and pummeling us under their weight. Others sweep in to swamp us; they lift us from our footing and leave us feeling vulnerable and out of control. Still others provide a great opportunity to surf.

Recently I commented to my boss that I felt as though I had caught a wave. I was blissfully surfing through life feeling courageous, even invincible. I further commented to him that I knew it wouldn’t last, but boy was it a great ride!

Sure enough, that wave ran its course and while I was there basking on the shore in the memories… the next wave hit. Today I am pressed to the bottom as what feels like the full weight of the ocean sits on my back.

I have felt like quitting recently, yet not a very short time ago I felt like a champion, exercising heroic faith and conquering in the Name of the Lord all that came at me.

As I prayerfully analyze this fall from crest to crevasse, to see if I can learn something that might reduce the expanse between the two, I become aware of a few things:
-In both conditions I sense the Lord is very close.
-In both conditions I sense the Lord is Sovereign and in control.
-In both conditions I sense that time is running and change is coming

My conclusion in all this: waves happen, and then they are gone and then another one comes. Some will crash, some will swamp and some will provide a great opportunity to surf.

At the end of the day, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)

-Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

Tears...

The women’s shelter can be very sobering. In one night I experienced three issues that nearly brought me to tears.

1. On Monday evenings while adults are in chapel, a volunteer provides a special activity for the children. On this particular night, the mother of a 7-year-old girl was called out of chapel because her daughter was practically screaming for her mom. I found out later that while out of the mission on an approved pass that weekend, the mother had run into her husband. The two got into a fight which landed her in the hospital with a concussion. Her oldest daughter, the one crying, must have seen it happen, and now didn’t want to leave her mom’s side.
2. After praying for months, one mother in the shelter recently received custody of her 5-year-old son. Since coming to the shelter, the boy’s disposition and attitude showed that his past years of life with his father had included little discipline or stability. When he was playing with some other children tonight, energy levels were high and the play soon turned a bit dangerous. Before his mother could step in and calm things down, the boy ran into the corner of a piano and cracked his head open. While by itself, it wasn't very serious, the injury would add to several other recent accidents that were incurred from the boy doing the opposite of what his mother said. As the two sat together waiting for a ride to the hospital, she mouthed to me with despair, “I can’t take much more of this.”
3. For evening check-in, adults over 18 report to the counselor’s office. A woman’s children have no responsibilities at this time. Tonight a woman checked in holding a newborn, saying it was her granddaughter. The baby’s mother didn’t check in, so I assumed the grandmother had custody of the baby, or some such situation. Later that night, I dropped off sanitary supplies in the same woman’s room. It was then that I finally saw the mother of the newborn – a 13-year-old girl. A girl who should have been doing her hair or studying for school but was instead pumping breast milk. I had to leave the room before tears spilled down, realizing that this baby would be 11 by the time her mother was my age.

I never realized the role that stability plays in a child’s life. I’m hurting inside tonight, and I’m wondering if I would be able to make it if I were homeless.

-Maria Ream, Development Dept

Encouragement...

Lately, we have been asked to take special notice of the "good" that is happening all around us... In our last staff meeting, we were asked to encourage our co-workers... The other day, Cheryl Wahlberg sent an email, requesting that we take time to encourage our volunteers...

Encouragement is big...our words can uplift or tear down.

What does God think of us?

God thinks that we are extraordinary people. He sees our interactions as being compassionate; full of grand knowledge & wisdom. He imagines the Joy that we will experience, when our feet first land in His eternal Heaven. He sees the many who will greet us, among whom will be those we didn’t even think could possibly be touched by our attempts. His only desire is that we step into the next level of life with Him; simply freeing our whole being into His capable hands—for greater, fuller ministry. Though we feel under qualified, we are eternal Royals, to whom He has given a very special & precious name that is way too wonderful for any other being to even hear. It is this precious name that we have heard in the quiet moments of our days. He has been calling & inviting us to Him; to deeply know His heart of Love.

God knows all that we do and yet sees us as walking in humility, simply allowing Him to shine His Glory through us. He perpetually invites us into deeper Joy & intimate relationship with Him & with those we serve. He invites us to “Watch what He does, and then do it", like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.

Mostly what He does is love us. He desires that we keep company with Him and learn a life of Love. He desires that we observe how Christ loved us. His Love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. God desires that we Love like that” Ephesians 5:1-2 (The Message).

God thinks that we play a large part on His Team, here at the Water Street Rescue Mission.

- Norm Lowry, Men’s Ministry

Supplies

Philippians 4:19—But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

According to Strong’s Greek dictionary, the word “supply” here means: to make replete, that is to … satisfy… accomplish… (be) complete… fill (up)… perfect.

I am constantly amazed at the way God acts to “supply” the needs of Water Street Rescue Mission. In the few short months that I’ve been here, I’ve seen many examples of God providing according to His riches, including the following unsolicited contributions:

• Sarah, a woman who called me to verify the validity of a fundraising project she had read about and ended up donating to that project
• An offer from an individual to donate a washer/dryer pair, which was until then an unmet need at the Lydia Center.
• An offer from a local truck maintenance shop to provide maintenance and inspections for our large fleet vehicles.
• Several vehicles donated to the Mission by community members. These donations have allowed us to provide transportation for clients as well as staff job-related travel.
• Individuals and groups coming together to provide new roofs for several of our Teen Haven Camp buildings.
• A consistent supply of volunteers that provide much-appreciated and critical assistance with facility maintenance, food & clothes sorting, kitchen duties, and many other tasks.
• A camp called asking if we could donate mattresses to them. At the time, we did not have enough to fill the needs of the camp as well as our own, but we gave them as many as we could. Shortly thereafter, we received a donation of over 100 mattresses! (See Who do these mattresses belong to anyway? , posted on the blog on June 13).
• Groups from local churches that have pulled together to meet needs, such as the church group that is currently working on redoing our Men’s Emergency Shelter ceiling.

One of the great things about working here is seeing the hand of God daily in the way he sends “supplies” to us and helps us meet the needs of our clients.

-Scooter Haase, Director of Operations

Fake I.D.s

Many of us may be walking about with fake I.D.’s. By this, I mean we are not living out life as the person God says we are, but rather who we think we are.

Since God likes to use people in keeping His promise to supply our needs, I put out a sign-up sheet a while ago asking for help with some painting at the outreach center. I was specifically giving the folk who receive goods from God through Water Street Rescue Mission the opportunity to help upgrade the place. We had a few sign up but none actually came on the designated day.

How, when, why, where, and who we serve or don’t serve will always be determined by who we think we are. Working in outreach over the last few months one thing has become clear to me. People who volunteer to serve do so out of a perception of who they are and whose they are. Most of our volunteers would say they know they are people of God and have something to offer. Many come with an understanding that they are missionaries of sorts serving here at the rescue mission.

Those who receive services through outreach also have a perception of who they are. How we interact with one another either confirms or dispels what we believe to be true about ourselves. Many of those served see themselves as the mission field only. Do we confirm that identity or dispel it? While it is true that they are receiving from God according to God’s promise it is unfortunate if that is all they see about themselves.

The same holds true for those considering themselves missionaries exclusively. Do we confirm or dispel that illusion? It is unfortunate if the only role they perceive for themselves is that of the giver. People assuming themselves to be missionaries have to learn how to live by faith before they can truly be effectively used of God. By effective I mean that God’s purpose is fulfilled - that the givers and receivers are all blessed. God’s people must know how to receive graciously in order to be gracious givers.

No individual is merely mission field or missionary. We are all both. It is in learning to be gracious receivers from God that we become capable of being gracious givers. Believe it or not we all play a vital role in shaping the identity of the people we interact with. Let’s be careful that our identities are not misshaped and that we don’t misshape the identities of others. Those who see themselves as mission field only will never volunteer to serve because they assume the role of receivers only. They miss the blessing God promises when we give of ourselves. Those who assume they are only givers have taken on the role of God and that role is already filled.

- Conrad Moore, Outreach Ministries

A day in the life of Water Street volunteers…

Water Street is a place where you can go to feel happiness and love coming off everyone’s face. Ever since our mom got a job at Water Street we have wanted to volunteer.

Before we came to Water Street we knew that something was missing in our lives. We didn’t quite know what. When our mom got the job at Water Street we knew that volunteer work was our calling from God. We have come down to Water Street frequently and we love it. The atmosphere at Water Street just puts a smile on your face and a feeling of joy in your heart.

We have helped out at many of the events at Water Street. We helped face paint at the Open House and had a memorable time. We also enjoyed everything about working at the Golf Tournament. Everything except for the fact that we woke up at 5:30 in the morning!

Working with the people at Water Street have helped us look at people differently. It has also given our hearts a boost for caregiving for the rest of our lives.

- Naomi and Esther, age 14

Real people

As a volunteer in women’s ministries, I assist counselors in the evening. Simple tasks like marking off each woman when she checks in for the evening or getting sheets and towels for a new resident allow me to slowly build relationships. It also gives me a chance to simply hang out with real people who happen to be homeless.

Last night when one resident checked in for the evening, her makeup was smeared and her eyes were red. I knew that she could have quite a temper, so at first I simply greeted her and did the necessary paperwork. Later I had a chance to talk to her briefly and learn just a bit of her pain. She has a 6-month old daughter who was taken away by Children and Youth. Her 2-year-old daughter, who she hasn’t seen for about a year and a half, is living with her sister. Someone at work that night apparently knew these facts and others, and made some harsh comments. The truth often hurts. At just 22, this young lady is experiencing a lot of guilt. I’m not sure that she sees her life in God’s perspective – that she is His beautiful creation, that He loves her and has actually already cancelled her sin if she’ll only believe.

So much of her life is ahead of her… plenty of time to fix things and still be a mother to her children. Please pray she will not give up. Pray she will fall in love with Jesus and never let go. And as she’s on this journey, pray for the staff and volunteers who interact with her…that we may offer real help that will empower not enable.

- Maria Ream, Development Department

Taking it home...

When I originally started my job as a counselor [at the Lydia Center], my boss told me "don't take it home with you," and I thought 'sure...I leave the paperwork at work.' Not so. It's not the paperwork that goes home with me. It's the precious hearts and pain and disciplinary issues of the ladies that go home with me.

• Some days all their requests and the chaos and noise make my head spin.
• Some days the attitudes make me want to shake them and tell them to grow up.
• Some days the angry outbursts make me want to hide under my desk.
• Some days the refusal to talk and share of themselves during counseling makes me want to scream, or at the very least walk out of the room for a bit 'til my impatience calms down.
• Some days I mourn as I see the continual hardening of a life, or when another lady chooses to leave...unchanged.
• Some days (like today) I am priveleged to pray with ladies as they commit their lives to Christ for the first time.
• Some days I rejoice at an "aha" moment, or b/c of the emotional and spiritual healing that God is doing in their lives.
• Some days I love them so much I cry...because I want so much more for them than they want for themselves.
  

I find I am learning at the Lydia Center the things I most wanted (when initially taking the "job") to learn:

1) Not to stereotype, judge, or look down upon people who are living in addictions, sexual immorality, and crime, b/c in my heart I have the same exact pain and sins...I only choose less physically destructive and more legal coping mechanisms, and hopefully allow myself to be convicted of my sin and live in a lifestyle of confession and forgiveness.

2) The heart of the Father. Surely He feels some of these things when He deals with me!

3) To be stretched. Oh yes, WAAAAY out of my comfort zone! But that is good. Because He is good and He is with me in the stretching. I had a thought the other day that (like a rubberband) God only stretches us to the point that He wants to launch us. So I'm getting excited about what He's preparing to launch me to in my future. Yet for now I will be stretched...b/c I am called here and my heart is here.

I am thankful for the heart of compassion that Christ has given me for these precious ladies, and I only hope that I will be faithful to love them with His love, to see them with His eyes, to walk with them to the best of my ability during this crucial time of their lives.

-Lorene Brubaker, Lydia Center

Testimony

When a friend from church died, I was looking in the Obituary column, I discovered this "testimony" of Madelyn "Tootie" Dixon who died in 2006 ( "In loving memory of"... by her family).

I thought is was so good, I cut it out and want to share it with others:

When I said..."I am a Christian"
I wasn't shouting "I'm clean livin."
I was whispering, "I am lost"
Now I'm found and forgiven.

When I said...."I am a Christian"
I wasn't bragging of success.
I was admitting I had failed
And needed God to clean my mess.

When I said..." I am a Christian"
I wasn't holier than thou,
I was just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow.

- Arlene Snyder, WS Clinic Volunteer

Teamwork

Imagine a football team. In its ideal condition each player does his part to support the whole, under the direction of special team’s coaches, who in turn support the assistant coaches, who likewise support the head coach.

In this idyllic world, the Offensive Coach focuses on offense in full trust that the Defensive Coach is working on defense, and vice versa. Each one knows his best contribution to the team is two-fold: do his job and trust the others to do theirs.

In team sports there are three things which will bring the team concept to its knees:

1. Coaches who second guess other coaches: each coach is chosen for his expertise in some area. It is destructive to the team (and very silly) for the Offensive Coach to believe he would have made a better decision than the Defensive Coach made in some situation. This presumes that the one had all of the same information and expertise as the other, which is always untrue. We cannot possibly know what we would do in a situation until we sit in the seat of the decider. We must trust the other coach and focus on our own area, or the team fails.
2. Players who second guess other players: a good coach will never allow players to undermine team morale by negative assertions about other coaches or other players. Effective coaches will redirect a disgruntled player to the team goals and specifically, to his own contribution to team play. If the coach listens without redirecting, team morale will fracture and the team will fragment into isolation and competing interests. Our own personal disappointment must be set aside for the good of the team.
3. Murmuring to others about someone else: nothing is more destructive inside a team than this. It is the thread that connects items 1 & 2 above. Expressing negativity about others, instead of to them, is like pouring acid on the team; it eats away the foundation upon which teamwork is built: Trust! To foster trust we must all agree to two abiding principles: 1) believe that others are doing their best, and 2) never speak negatively about them; only to them.

We at WSRM are a team, assigned to the most important ministry in the universe. We are most effective as we work as a team. This work is too important not to. We are a part of something bigger than ourselves.

- Aaron Eggers, Men’s Ministries

Fathers Day Reflections...

...Having a good dad was nice. I just wish that he hadn’t died when I was twelve.

…This is my dad and mom. They came all the way from Missouri to visit with me.

…My dad was a monster and I was his evil twin.

…My daughter checked in to the women’s shelter last night. Do you think it would be okay to see if she would be willing to talk to me?

…My dad moved halfway around the world to fight a war. When he was done fighting, he just left…without me.

…I miss my children; I’m resentful toward my dad; but, I’m becoming grateful toward my heavenly father. Please pray for me.

…My dad and my children are dead.

…My daughter wrote to me and still wants me to be in her life.

…My daughter and I used heroin together.

…Look what my daughter gave to me: Dad—So much has happened in this past year and through it all I believe you have become a much stronger and better man…and father. You are and always will be my Daddy. I love you and hope you have a great Father’s Day.

- CLD Program Men

Who do these mattresses belong to anyway?

Note: Occassionally, other ministries and congregations contact us to see if we can assist them with a pressing need they might have as they attempt to serve their congregations and communities. When the Lord supplies sufficiently through our faithful donors, and the partnership fulfills our mission, we attempt to help as we are able. Being good stewards of what the Lord provides and staying faithful to the donor's intent are high priorities when making these decisions... God has a way of helping us know how to respond as well...

This week a camp called asking if we have any extra single mattresses we could give them since they needed to replace a bunch at their camp. We have a good supply of them on hand so I gave them a smaller portion (33) of what we had available (not meeting their entire need), since we do need to look out for our own needs too.

Just after he left this morning with his second load, I was asking Maurice (our food services coordinator) how to know when you should give away all that God has given to us and when to hold back something for our own use. Arriving back in my office I got a call from Conestoga View wanting to donate 100-150 single mattresses!

God will meet all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus! Thank you Lord for this reminder when I am so slow to get it.

-Dean Wenger, RDC

Eyes front

Did you ever walk by someone who lives on the street and look the other way, hoping they wouldn’t notice or, God forbid, speak to you? The temptation to react this way is huge, and society teaches us that this is an acceptable reaction to poverty and homelessness.

We’ve become so comfortable with poverty and homelessness that we hardly notice their end results. As a former resident of Chicago and Boston, my ability to see without noticing became finely tuned, although having this ability didn’t alleviate the nagging feeling there was more going on here than meets the eye.

I have the opportunity to interact and work with our clientele on a daily basis and I can tell you that each one of them has a life history filled with many of the same things as you and me. The biggest thing that usually separates us is a few decisions along that way the either of us could have made differently.

I recently had the privilege of having my teenage step-son (Daniel) spend a day with me at the mission. During that day, he spent several hours working with one of our clients (Don) and the two of them developed a real connection. As we were driving home that day, Daniel said to me “I really like Don. We had a great time together, he’s a great guy!” I agree; I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Don and he is a special person. The next thought that came into my head was: how would Daniel and I have reacted to Don if we’d met him on the street instead of at the Mission? It’s upsetting to me that there was a time when I would have discounted Don as a person and just walked past him while trying to avoid looking at him.

We can’t all work at a rescue mission, nor should we, but there is more you can do. I invite you to take a moment to consider your reaction to poverty and homelessness, based on only one idea: there’s a real person of God’s creation under the rags, the smell, and the dirt. It’s very likely that this person under the rags is someone that could have a real impact on Daniel, me, and you if given the chance. You don’t have to give money, cars, or even your time to our clients or those still on the streets, but I invite you to consider giving them your love, respect, and most of all, your prayers. Look them in the eye and say hello, you might be surprised at the good it does for both of you.

- Scooter Haase, Operations

Grace-based Ministry

A Father recounts the following story[i]:

“When my daughter Abrielle was four she came running down the hall screaming, "I don't want to die! I swallowed a stone!" I immediately determined that nothing was obstructing her throat but she was still in a panic."It's OK, sweetheart. You're not going to die," I said. She thought I didn't understand. "But I swallowed a stone! It was a blue one!" she emphasized, as if I should realize this was a particularly deadly stone.

Apparently, a babysitter, in order to discourage her from putting things in her mouth, told her she could die if she swallowed the wrong things, and to Aby, that included polished stones I'd given her. I assured her she was in no danger; that the stone would come out in the morning when she went "poo poo." She ran to the toilet, "I want it out now!" She was pushing so hard it looked like a blood vessel would burst. She was frightened and desperate.Moments like this test and refine your values. Truth and reason weren't working. So I lied."I know what to do," I said, and I ran to get a spoonful of maple syrup. "Here, swallow this syrup. It will melt the stone." "Will it be gone?" she asked. "Absolutely," I replied. She swallowed the syrup and announced triumphantly, "Daddy melted the stone. I'm not going to die." The emergency was over, but I hated lying to her. Though I worried she would never trust me again, I had to tell her the truth a few weeks later. Today, she's almost nine, and I heard her using the story to tell her sisters that her daddy always takes care of her. Funny, she trusts me even more.”

The Father in this incident stumbled on something deep: ‘Truth is really important, but trust is the ultimate treasure.’

Trust and Grace

At Water Street Rescue Mission, we are asking this question: ‘Is what we are doing, thinking, or saying building or undermining the potential for building trust?’[ii] Our mission to skillfully share the gospel leads us to establish a trust bond with each resident, with conviction of this culminating in ‘a resident trusting God.’[iii] So to effectively share the gospel we must do all we can to encourage this bond of trust with the men, women, and children who come to our door.

But getting someone to trust is not easy. Accordingly we promote this trust by encouraging an atmosphere where grace lives. That is, we motivate others to begin to trust us by always operating in their best interest – which is our practical definition of grace. And this grace is what draws others to a relationship with God.

This culture of grace is neither license nor law. It is a place where both resident and staff member can freely acknowledge their position in this process of becoming more like Jesus. It is a place of safety where weaknesses and failure provide glimpses into the deeper issues of the heart. It is a place of risk where staff members are vulnerable and residents are held accountable to their choices. And it is a place where true heart change occurs not through compulsion or coercion to conform but by the prompting and power of the Holy Spirit.

- Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries
[i] The Blue Stone and the White Lie, told to me by Brad Hoopes
[ii] See, Christianity Confronts Culture, Marvin Mayers, Zondervan, pp. 32-33.
[iii] Ibid.

Perspective...

Someone once said, of God, that He is “Lord of the Heights of Faith that can calm the troubled soul and Lord of the Depths of Fear that can tear such Faith apart”.

In our line of work, we daily come face-to-face with both extremes. Most everyone who finds our doors genuinely desires change; they want a reprieve from a life of choices that just do not work. For a brief moment, all are touched by God and by his life-changing faith. But few will find this place of life-change, because the personal “cost” is just too great. Most desire the better life but find little value in the need to die well (to self) in order to have that better life. This means a return to faith-rending fear.

As a leader (and as a daily-recovering addict to self-exaltation) my constant prayer is for Perspective. This world (Water Street Rescue Mission) that I so dearly love is full of destruction and death (and a few visible victories). In my middle-of-the-night prayer times, the burden of pain often seems unbearable. Yet always He comes very softly, holds me close, and reminds me of just Who He Is (and of who I am not). He also reminds me of the day (about a year ago) that I stepped into His absolute contentment that makes these nightly “deaths to self” have value. He reminds me of His absolute Sovereignty and of the fact that He is Good. He reminds me of how, since His lovely Jesus traded His Righteousness for the Sin of all humanity, He is able to use even Sin to shape us into His Image.

Truly, “He is the Lord of All; of the seen and unseen things; of the creation that proclaims Him; of the power not to sin. He has always been and always will be Lord of All”.

- Norm Lowry, Men’s Ministry

Complaining

“There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. The people blamed Moses and said, ‘If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into the wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates and no water to drink!’” (Numbers 20:2-5 NLT)

The children of Israel were always complaining about food, water, and where God had placed them and where He was taking them. God showed me that when I complain I am saying, “God, what you have provided for me is not good enough!” What causes me to complain? When my eyes are focused on my surroundings and not on Jesus, I complain. Like the children of Israel I tend to focus on my surroundings (what I have and what I don’t have). When I find myself in the wilderness, I often complain, not realizing that God is the one who led me there and if God brought me to a place of wilderness then it must be a good place for me.

Just like the children of Israel I start to blame other people. The children of Israel cried out for freedom for 400 years. God answered their cry and sent Moses to bring them out of captivity and still they complained all the time, not realizing that although they were in the wilderness, they were free! Just like me – when I was dead in my sins, I cried out to the Lord to save me and He did. I still complain about the hard place in life that He has me in not understanding that though it may be a hard place, I am free!

Also when I am in the wilderness I tend to take my anger out on other people blaming them for where I am just like the children of Israel blamed Moses and Aaron. I have to realize that I am not fighting against flesh and blood, but the enemy of my soul. It is so easy to focus on people and blame them because we can see them.

When in the wilderness I have to understand that God has not brought me there to die, but rather He has brought me there so that I might have a more abundant life in Him. He is using the wilderness experience to mold and shape me into His image. So I have to understand that what God has provided for me is good enough, even the wilderness.

- Nicholle M. Norton, Wonder Club teacher

Treasures...

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth; where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven; where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in or steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)

Being involved in the learning center has been great. I am learning a lot. I recently took and passed three of my five GED tests. The learning center has taught me a lot about myself. I am discovering the value of slowing down and of asking for help. My need for rushing through life is disappearing.

A lifetime of making wrong choices brought me here. My life is coming together now. I have eight months sober and a vision which includes hope for a bright future. I am looking into options for College; seeking God’s direction. It is my desire to step into His design for me. I did not believe in God before I came here. I’m glad that He believed in me.

The Chaplains and Staff are so good and kind. They are a loving family to me. Prior to being here, I had not experienced stability in my life. It is great to feel wanted and loved by so many. If it were not for the Mission being here I would be dead. And, if it were not for the people who have donated money and resources, I would not have had a chance to survive. I am grateful. I am simply one of the many people who count on the mission being here every day. I see God’s work being done here, in me and others.

The bible says that we shouldn’t lay up treasures for ourselves on the earth but that we should give our lives to helping others. When we get to heaven, we will receive our real treasure—Eternal life with God. This is so cool; I can’t wait to see the streets of gold. All it took was faith in the One who will love me forever, no matter what mistakes I make.

Thanks to My Savior…

- Lester Laughman (Men’s Ministry Intern)

Sorry...

Once again, I need to apologise for the gap between entries. No excuse, just life and work and general distractions.

I will try to do better... In fact there should be a new one posted in a few minutes.

Thanks for your forgiveness (I hope that's not presumptuous).

-Jack Crowley, inconsistent blog administrator