Common ground...

At Water Street Rescue Mission, the men’s long term program has a morning chapel each day of the week. This is a great way to minister to the guys and get the day off to a good start. On one particular morning, we had arranged for a high school hand bell choir to come play for 30 minutes. It seemed like an odd fit – a group of young students from a private school playing hand bells for a group of homeless men. (I began wondering what I had been thinking when I scheduled this group to come!) It only took minutes into their playing for us to realize that God had orchestrated the hand bell choir to be at Water Street that morning.

The songs they played ministered to the men’s hearts. One song represented a storm with a calm at the end. Many of our men have weathered very difficult and complex storms – storms that are finally subsiding as they allow the peace of God to reign in their hearts.

The students also shared testimonies. One girl shared how she had spent most of her young life working hard to gain her father’s approval. She talked of how she began to relate this to her relationship with God – feeling that, like with her own father, she may never gain His approval either. She talked of how she had truly embraced God’s grace and began to see His love and acceptance for her. Many heads in the audience nodded with understanding of how she felt.

At the end of the chapel, one man came forward and clasped the hands of the director. He began to pray with her. She and the group had touched his heart.

The body of Christ has no boundaries. The two very different groups of people had reached a common ground in Christ. The differences in outward appearance were stripped away and only inward souls were left.

We are all alike on the inside – whether we’re homeless or attending a private school. We each have longings, dreams, and emptiness that only He can fill.

Thank-you Lord Jesus that you come in to our lives regardless of our background, our choices, our circumstances. You see our hearts and you meet all our needs. Thank-you for working in us. Fill the voids and heal the hurts in each of us today. Amen.

- Cheryl Wahlberg, Volunteer Coordinator

What is that?

Our Camp Director just sent me this note from our boys weekend at camp. My first thought was how dramatic and extreme a change (from no knowledge of the bible to child of God in one weekend), but then again aren't all salvations just as dramatic and "extreme." You and I were both once lost and now found.

Thanks for sharing this Vinny.

Marcus (14) - First timer to camp from Philadelphia.

Friday night during cabin devotions, Marcus stopped the supervisor and asked, "What is that?"

He was referring to the bible that the counselor was reading and talking about. After some discussion, Marcus shared that he never saw, touched or read one.

Saturday morning during chapel, the Bible he never read was the Lord's instrument in saving his soul.

Marcus's entire demeanor changed. He would not separate himself from the Bible he discovered.
As he was presented the Christ-like camper award for the weekend, his cabin supervisor was lost for words as he joyfully expressed and described the transformation of Marcus.

We all rejoice together!

-Vinny Mikusow, Teen Haven Camp

Some Anonymous staff thoughts...

A few of the staff who wrote down some thoughts for this forum at our last staff meeting forgot to sign their names. Their thoughts are still worth sharing...

• God has taught me: Not to get too high or too low... to remain humble

• God has taught me: How to see people. My eyes see the outside of people, their physical condition. When I see through God's eyes, I can see their spiritual condition, their soul condition and ask the Lord how to meet that need. See the inner condition, that's what God has taught me and is still teaching me.

• Thoughts: I have been amazed at how many deaths have been close to home recently...

• Why I'm excited to wake up for work: I don't know if I am exactly excited to get up in the morning, but what I like about working here is the relationships with my co-workers, the mutual love and support, the laughter and yes, even the tears.

Waiting for Pop

What follows is a comment about my relationship with Pop, a gentleman I knew for over twenty years and one who frequented the meal and community services program here at Water Street. Pop came to mind recently as I thought about the tremendous task the homeless men and women here at the mission face as they try to find a church home. They very desperately need to be embraced and engaged to become part of the fabric of the local church. Often this transition for them and the local church is difficult.

Pop’s abuse of alcohol was lifelong beginning sometime in the Army during the Korean War and continuing for over 30 years. His yellowish skin was creased and weather-worn, the result of too many days and nights spent on the street and in makeshift lodging. One winter Pop had constructed a Styrofoam dwelling in the middle of a local junkyard; the next he lived in an abandoned school bus modified with pieces of cardboard and scrap metal. He was a man of great independence and resourcefulness yet I was very concerned about his health as his liver continued to deteriorate. So it was truly a grand and unexpected event when Pop finally agreed to allow me to transport him to the local veterans’ hospital.

And at the end of the twenty-eight day rehab he looked great the benefit of a regular diet, sleep and medication. His skin glowed again and the prognosis for his future was brighter than ever. And as I thought about his transition back into the neighborhood, I asked him a question. ‘Pop how about you and me going to church when you are done here? I’ll be with you and you’ll be able to make some new, non-drinking friends. It will be a great way of continuing the life you started here - one without alcohol.’ Pop hesitated then looked at me a bit quizzically before saying this, ‘That sounds really good, Stevie but I couldn’t do that, I couldn’t go to church, I don’t have a suit!’

It’s been several years since Pop passed away of liver disease. He never did make it to church. I miss him and he is on my mind a lot. I keep wondering what it would have been like if Pop had come to church. Would he feel welcomed in his frayed and holey jeans and shoes? Would anyone look past the disheveled beard, the unkempt hair, the clothing that reeked of sweat and alcohol? Would anyone intentionally sit by his side, look him in the eyes, listen intently to his story, and invite him home for Sunday dinner? Would Pop understand the protocol of church, the language, when to sit or stand, from which book to read or sing? Would the words of the preacher make sense to him? Would the demons that drove him to drink be addressed? Would anyone strive to engage with Pop in a way that conveyed that God loved him as he was and help him see that he could be free from the control of sin and bad choices?

Sadly, I’m not sure there is a seat for Pop in most of our nice, Bible-believing churches as it so often seems that a lot of our activity is pretty self-absorbed. Are we really expecting a guy like Pop to stop by? And realistically, why would Pop want to visit with us on a Sunday anyway – with or without a suit?

I’m not sure how to answer these questions but I do know this: I’m waiting for Pop. I’m going to be ready when he shows up. I’ll be the one next to the empty seat in jeans and sneakers.

- Steve Brubaker, Residential Ministries

Caught or taught?

What makes me excited to come to work at WSRM?

I am thrilled each day to come and share life with real people who need someone to love them as they are. It is my joy to hug others and bless them in Jesus' name.

What has God taught me lately in my role at WSRM?

I was totally humbled by a young man's testimony of how our 3 month Overcomers Class impacted him. "Dan" told me the content of the class was cool and important, but even more importantly, he caught the attitude and character of the teacher instead. God allowed me to experience His grace as I learned that much is caught, not taught by servant people.

-Jim Stanton, Men's Ministry

All about Christ's Love

I have tons of paperwork to complete, phone calls to make, grants to write, evaluations to do, never enough time in a day and then to top it off I have patients and other agency staff complaining. About what you may ask, about everything! Not only complaining, but being down right rude and disrespectful. Lord, why am I here and where has the passion gone for the work that we do in the Water Street Clinic? He clearly asks me the question, “Do you love them?”

Instead of blaming others for their rude, legalistic or complaining behavior, the Lord asks me to look at my heart. He has been reminding me that no matter how others may behave, I must love them as He loves them, and not respond to them as they do to me. Wow, very hard! I realize that the only way I can respond to others unkindness with love is through Christ. When I get an email or verbal response which is rude and or legalistic I stop and say Lord, how do You want me to respond? I have found that I don’t get my emotions all tangled up if I give the problems to Him immediately, and I have much more loving responses than I ever thought that I could.

As the Lord has been teaching me how to love like He does He has shown me a few things that I’d like to share with you:

1. Life and ministry is NOT about rules, but about giving to show the other person that they are special in His eyes. Yes, we still must have the paperwork and limits on services so we can serve the many uninsured and in need, but there are many acts of kindness that we can add that will show the individual they are cared about. Unless they plan to commit physical harm to someone we never turn anyone away from the clinic without some guidance or words of encouragement.


2. Listen to others without working on my answer to what they are saying. Really listen and when I speak affirm what they are saying. If I am trying to come up with a response from my perspective, I’m not really hearing them.


3. I must forgive others as Christ has forgiven me. Not just a feeling, but a conscious act to treat them with respect. Jesus was never a door mat but He loved those who hated Him. I will have to forgive others often over and over again.


4. Don’t judge others, that is God’s job. I am to compare myself only to Jesus as my model. As I judge others He will judge me.


5. #1 Love the Lord, #2 Love others – this wraps up how He wants me to live!


6. I cannot do the above; I must BE the above, by letting Jesus live in me! It is never about an act of will, but a change of heart.


7. Let God be God and work His plan in only the miraculous way that He does. I often limit His work by not expecting a miracle. Yes, God still heals today whether the person’s illness is physical, mental or an addiction. The world offers cover ups with medications, procedures and lies, but Jesus offers true freedom.


8. Trust Him when all appears to be going wrong! His ways are not my ways and He sees things differently. Death is true & perfect healing. I trust that He loves me and others more than I can know.


9. Every day I am to devour His word and put it in my heart and let Him teach me His ways.


10. I can live a full life filled with His Joy as my strength here and now!

Lord, may I never live like the Pharisees by only spouting out the rules, but with a heart filled with your love for others that you have placed in my life. Thank you Lord for my family, friends, staff and patients of the clinic!

I love & trust you Lord!

- Gale Thomason, Water Street Clinics

Praises from the Family Shelter

Just before Christmas we opened the door to the Family Shelter. The Family Shelter was developed during our most recent major renovations of the Prince Street campus in response to the changing face of homelessness that we encounter every day. In recent years the population of homeless families has been growing... and by "families" we mean single mothers with children, single fathers with children, and intact families (with both mom and dad).

Prior to the opening of the Family Shelter we were pretty much unable to serve intact families, fathers with young children, and mothers with older boys (above 12 yrs). We would do our best to find ways to accomodate or help, but we were not set up to serve these families.

Daral Boles our Director of Women's and Family Ministries recently passed along some exciting news:

Just wanted to let everyone know we have our first SINGLE FATHER in the family shelter. He has two children with him—a 16-year-old son and 1 ½ year old daughter. Please pray with and for us as we learn how to address the unique problems of this type of family group. We now have all three types present—husband and wife with children, single mom with teenage boys, and single dad with children—for whom this shelter was designed.

Also wanted to let you know that our “first” family, Barbara Gonzalez and her 6 children, will be leaving us on Thursday for a home of their own. Praise God with us!

Daral and Gentine

Fear not...

Frankly, I was scared to death to begin working at Water Street Rescue Mission. I love working with people and meeting needs, but never dreamed that this sheltered, suburban boy would be working in the city with drug addicts and alcoholics.

But I have found that God met me here and enabled me for this ministry, and that I have nothing to fear, for God is with me.

-Craig Hickey, Men's ministry

A gift

My friend Angela and I attended a LCBC women’s retreat in Strasburg this past weekend.

After the conference ended on Sunday, we decided to go someplace to eat lunch since neither of us had eaten breakfast that morning and we were fairly hungry. It was 12:20 and knew that any place we chose along Route 30 would be packed with tourists and those eating out after attending church services. On our drive back to Neffsville, I suggested that we go to Olde Hickory Grill; it has the best Angus burgers! Since Angela had never eaten there, we decided that was the place to eat.

When we got to the restaurant, it was packed and moving from the doorway to the cash register was difficult. After waiting for about a minute, still at the doorway, an elderly woman who was waiting for a table told me to put my name in at the cashier. When our table was available, we sat in a corner booth. I noticed that the woman who previous talked with me was sitting (alone) at the table beside us. I whispered to Angela that maybe we should invite her to join us for lunch, because typically, no one likes to eat alone.

Angela did invite her to join us and the woman said, “You made my day.” She sat beside Angela and she introduced herself. Her name is “Ms. Finny” and she is 85 years old. She had just come from church (Highland Presbyterian) and owns a cottage at one of the local retirement homes. She told us all about her three daughters, their families and that she recently returned from California to attend her grandson’s wedding.

When she saw my sweatshirt had Eastern University on it, she said that she went on a tour to Israel, which was lead by one of the Eastern University professors and told us all about her adventures.

When we were finished with our meals, the waitress came over to our table and said that someone had paid for all of our meals! We were all stunned! We asked her who it was and the waitress said that it was someone who had eaten at the restaurant and saw Angela and I invite Ms. Finny to join us. This anonymous gift was the result of us asking a stranger to eat with us. We had no idea who anonymously paid for our meal, since they had left the restaurant before we had finished our meals.

Ms. Finny said that she was blessed by spending time with us and we assured her that she had also blessed us. Angela and I gave her a hug before we left the restaurant and went our separate ways.

Angela and I had never expected such a gift in Ms. Finny. She is a beautiful woman of God. In addition, knowing that someone noticed our gift of kindness and acted upon it compels me to pass this kindness on to others.

- Jane Keller, HR Director

God has taught me...

What has God taught you recently through your work here at Water Street?

God has taught me that I cannot do all things by myself... that I need help from Him and others in my life.

- John Yuninger, RDC

In my short time here at WSRM, God has taught me patience. He has also shown me how much He cares through giving me the opportunity to work with such an awesome organization.

- Mike Redcay, IT

When a person feels loved and accepted, they are often then willing to step out and take risks. They know that we and God are there with them.

- Elaine Hostetter, Women's Ministries

Tribute to Teen Haven Founder

In December of 2005 William Drury, the founder of Teen Haven went home to be with the Lord. Bill (Mr. D) was man who was passionate about the ministry of Teen Haven and the work of sharing the gospel with inner-city children and teens. We are privileged to carry on the work that God used him to start back in 1963 on the streets of Philadelphia.

Teen Haven now ministers to urban youth through city ministries in Philadelphia, York, and Lancaster and through our camp ministry in Brogue (York County).

- Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

It's not about me!

God has been impressing upon my heart a lesson that I need to be taught again and again - that it is NOT about me! That it was never about me and its never going to be about me.

Sometimes my job as volunteer coordinator is hard and forces me to step out of my comfort zone, do things that annoy me or stress me out. The selfish person in me usually wants to throw in the towel at that point. But if for even a split second I slow down and listen to the small voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to me, I hear that He brought me to the Mission not to serve me, make me happy or comfortable, but lo and behold, to serve others and USE ME - the sinner that I am!

I praise Him that He never gives up on us or gets tired of speaking the same message with us again and again. He is long suffering and full of mercy.

-Cheryl Wahlberg, Volunteer Coordinator

Charred stones

What has God taught me lately...

God can use "Charred Stones."

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

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

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

-Gentine Clark, Women's and Family Ministries

Stories from staff

Last week at our staff meeting, I asked the staff to reflect on a few questions and jot down their thoughts on at least one of them:

1. What makes you excited to come to work in the morning?
2. What has God taught you through your role her at Water Street in the last few months?
3. Share a fun, unique, touching, or trying story from the last month at work.

Thankfully most of them responded. It has been great to read through them all and I'm looking forward to sharing them with you over the next several weeks. I think they will provide a great view into life here at Water Street Rescue Mission.

In a few minutes, I'll post the first one.

- Jack

"I'm glad he died at the mission"

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

Darrell died on our campus a few weeks ago. A resident found him slumped over in a bathroom stall with a used needle on the floor and another half-used still in his hand. We miss him greatly. He was a fixture on this campus for at least a year before leaving the men’s program the prior summer. His recent relapse was devastating and hard to watch unfold.

Community members often ask about the ‘success rate’ of our programs. And I sort of know what the questioners are asking. They want to know how many formerly homeless “are now in a home, are working, aren’t using drugs any longer, have been restored with their families, etc?” And most of the time I am not sure how to answer them in a way that satisfies. You see, I believe Darrell is a ‘success story.’

It was on this campus that Darrell realized he was loved by God and others. It was here that he heard hard truth – about his addiction, about his willingness to embrace lies about himself, about how he allowed fear to trump what God says about true reality. It was here that he grappled mightily with addiction and his position as a child of God. And it was to here that he returned in the middle of a relapse with a bag of heroin and a few needles in his hand.

You won’t read about Darrell in one of our newsletters and his death won’t provide one of our year-end statistics. Yet, his Step-Mother’s statement at the memorial service was most revealing. Though she was devastated by the loss of her step-son, she was able to say this, “I’m glad that Darrell overdosed and died at the mission... in this place where he knew he was loved rather than having to be found dead in a back alley.”

Lord, help me to trust you when life is paradoxical.

- Steve Brubaker, Director of Residential Programs

Peacemakers or peacekeepers?

Anyone who works with youth (urban or otherwise) knows that conflicts can often erupt. The signs and symptoms vary, but one minute things can seem to be going smoothly, and the next minute, kids will be yelling at one another, threatening, or even throwing punches.

A good youth worker becomes adept at seeing the warning signs before things get too hot. A good youth worker also becomes skilled at redirecting teens away from conflict or helping lead them to a healthy resolution before things explode. Keeping the peace is an important aspect of being a good youth worker.

But a great youth worker learns how and when to let things ignite (without getting too far out of control - or putting anyone at risk) so that deeper lessons can be learned and deeper healing can take place. I'm not sure if I or any of my staff are really there, yet. Thankfully, there are times when God allows circumstances to happen that way so that He can do that deeper work.

Nina, who works with our Lancaster girls, shared a story recently from the last girls weekend at camp:

Several girls were attending camp for the first time, and things were not going very smoothly. Lots of conflict and tension. After things flared up once again, Nina and the girls sat down to work things out and talk things through. She noticed that the girls seemed to be paying attention and started to show different attitudes...

Before leaving for home at the end of the weekend, they took some time to pray, and one of the girls who was in the middle of all the conflict offered to pray. After thanking God for the chance to come to camp and get out of the city and to meet new friends, she then went on to thank God "for all the drama we went through this weekend, because it gave me a chance to get things off of my chest and talk about the stuff I would usually just hold inside."

Sometimes God uses conflict to bring us to the place He wants us to be... a place of honesty and realness... so that He can meet us there.

It can be a challenge to allow those moments to take place when so often we are tempted to keep the peace... but I think Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" not "Blessed are the peacekeepers."

Nina, whether it was your preference or not, thanks for being a "peacemaker."

- Jack Crowley, Teen Haven

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