God was Watching

The story takes only four verses in the gospel of Mark and again in Luke. Four verses to describe an event that has been the topic of sermons and study for hundreds of years. In those days, the temple would have a place for people to deliver their offerings and gifts to the Lord. This special donation "bin" was out in the open for all to see. Jesus Himself was standing there with His disciples, watching the wealthy put their tithes into the box. They were obvious with their clothes and the large amount of their offering, but it wasn't the wealthy to whom Christ drew the attention of His disciples. "Look at this," you can almost hear Him whisper, and the disciples turn to see what amazing gift will come next. But it's only an elderly widow, and all she contributes is a few tiny coins. Perhaps she felt a bit shy about coming to give her gifts in the midst of all the wealth around her. Still, she gave. And she gave not out of her wealth but "out of her poverty," scripture says. What she didn't know was that God was watching. And He wasn't keeping tally of the amount of her gift; He was seeing the generosity in her heart. (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4)

 

At the City Rescue Mission, we are constantly blessed by the generosity and support of our fellow rescuers. Without your gifts and prayers, we would be unable to provide food, shelter, and hope to the hundreds of women, children, and men who come to us in need. We are grateful for all gifts, but we are truly humbled by the sweet notes we receive from some of our faithful supporters who give, as the widow gave; their notes include words of gratitude, that they can contribute, and words of regret, that they cannot give more.

 

I truly believe that the heart behind the donation makes a difference to our guests. The food that they eat, the bed where they sleep, the clothes that they wear, and all the other help we can provide, is a gift of love. An act of compassion. It comes from people, our fellow rescuers, who desire to help us help others.

 

Thank you so much for your prayers and your generosity, but most of all, thank you for seeing the "people" beyond the need. People who need encouragement, shelter, hope, and compassion. Thank you for being a rescuer by helping us help others.

Team Rescue

As we drag ourselves out of one of the worst winters we've experienced in some time, I can't help but take a moment to reflect on what have been four of busiest months in our 103 year history. We expect to be "busy" during the winter, but our staff and volunteers have definitely gone above-and-beyond. So far this year, our staff have provided a safe haven for 157 women, children, and men every night and served more than 310 meals every day. Volunteers continued faithfully to arrive, bundled up but ready to serve alongside staff. In spite of the raging winter and frigid temps, we were able to serve our guests as we do every day, as we have done for over a century.

While we have "weathered" Michigan winters before, every day is a learning experience, and we are blessed to have such great "team" members to share the joy and the responsibility of providing food, shelter, and hope in Michigan's capital area.

 

If you are interested in joining "Team Rescue" there are lots of opportunities, both as volunteers and as staff.

Volunteer Information: www.BEaRESCUER.com/volunteer.htm and email volunteers@BEaRESCUER.com

Employment Information: www.BEaRESCUER.com/employment.htm and email Cheryl@BEaRESCUER.com

The Story Behind "The Streets of Our City" March 2014 Mission Outlook

Nearly a year ago, we sorted through the incoming mail to find a precious letter from a girl named Jasmine. Jasmine had seen a man in need, who was walking the streets in tattered clothes. Her heart broke for this man and others she saw in need, and she asked us to please help him. What Jasmine didn't know is that the man about whom she wrote suffered from a mental illness. We had tried to help him, but until he was willing to receive that help, his condition would remain the same.

 

There was little debate about what to do. Jasmine needed to know that people did care. That we at the Mission cared for those in need. However, the issues of homelessness are varied and complex, and trying to condense those issues into a carefully worded letter was indeed a challenge.

 

Finally, the letter was sent, along with much prayer, because our hope was that, while Jasmine would understand the issue a little better, she would also realize that her concern was a beautiful and wonderful thing. We do not underestimate the power of compassion, nor would we minimize the strength of a tender heart. Jasmine's heart hurt for those in need, but that pain is, oddly enough, a gift.

 

That pain is what Paul might describe as love. In 1 Corinthians 13, he wrote, "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing."

 

Often, after sending that letter, I would think of Jasmine, the little girl with the big heart. I would pray for her and wonder if we would ever find out if the letter helped. Then, during our recent "Share Night" at Culver's, Mark Criss, our executive director, was approached by a woman, Jasmine's mother. What a blessing, to meet Jasmine in person and to be able to hear, firsthand, about how the letter was received.

 

We always enjoy meeting our "fellow rescuers" at events like the "Share Night." It is such a joy to hear from you and to be able to say "thank you" in person for all you do to help us help others. Thank you for your tender heart and the compassion that enables us to provide food, shelter, and hope to hundreds of women, children, and men in need!

Jasmine stands with Laura Grimwood, City Rescue Mission Communications Manager

Thank you, Health Bus Heroes!

Sitting in my office, drinking Vitamin C in the form of orange juice, and hoping the lingering remains of my cold will end soon, I can't help but reflect on how much more difficult even having a cold is when you're homeless. Where do you go? Whom do you see? We are here to help with food, shelter, and hope, and we are so grateful for the agencies who work and serve, as we do, to meet needs in Michigan's capital area.

 

Some of those unsung heroes arrive at the Mission every Monday in a renovated RV that we call the Ingham County "Health Bus," a service of the Ingham County Health Department. These faithful medical practitioners have been providing medical care to our guests and others with limited or no income for many years, and they have a definite compassion and rapport with the homeless community. They also coordinate to be sure our guests have access to things like the Flu shot, to protect them and others with whom they come in contact.

 

Thank you, to the "Health Bus" team! We are so grateful for your service to guests of the City Rescue Mission and for your continued work throughout our community!

Behind the Scenes: February 2014 "Mission Outlook"

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the interview. I knew about Rev. Robert Jones III; he's something of a legend at the men's shelter, having served as night security for more than twenty years. My feelings going into any interview are usually the same: a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. That kind of hesitant waiting where your brain prepares to pay attention and know how to direct the questions to create a solid foundation of accuracy and detail for your resulting story.

The end result was unusual in that I asked maybe one question and Mark asked only a few more. The remaining hour and a half was Robert describing his thoughts and fleshing out what he's experienced in two decades of Rescue Mission work. Robert has an amazing aptitude to remember people and dates and times, and it became almost eerie as he drew word pictures of those people he had known.

"It's like I can still see [them] sitting there," and I could see them too. For Robert, the Mission is filled with the memories of those who have worked there, volunteered there, been sheltered and fed there. An overwhelming and very real mix of tragedy and triumph. There were terrible stories of men and women who never left their addictions or destructive lifestyles. Men and women who died long ago. There were victorious stories of those who used the Mission as a "stepping stone," "a bridge," to a better life and better life choices. And there were wonderful stories of men and woman who came faithfully to preach the word or serve a meal, who ministered to guests out of love and compassion. Men and women who had an impact on our guests and on Robert, as well.

When you are a part of a ministry like the Mission, that has served our community for over 100 years, you discover it is rich in history. The Mission, in a sense, is connected to the very heart of Michigan's capital area, because for over 100 years it has served as a physical embodiment of that heart, of the compassion of the people who live here, reaching out toward those in need. The Mission has legacy of service that spans generations.

Robert is a part of that legacy. As are those he remembers. As am I. As are you. Those who support the Mission do more than provide food and shelter for today. They lay a foundation of hope that will impact our community into the future.

Thank you for helping us help others. Thank you for being a rescuer!

To read the February newsletter, including Mark's reflections on the interview, click this link: http://www.bearescuer.com/e-outlook.htm. To sign up for the monthly newsletter: http://www.bearescuer.com/Newsletter.cfm.

"And the Light Shines in the Darkness..."

The ice storm of 2013 has a different memory for me than for many in mid-Michigan. With Christmas quickly approaching, Mission staff had collected funds and, due to the diligence of Icon Signs, managed to procure the perfect gift for Mark Criss, our executive director: a Jesus Saves cross.

I was contemplating just this morning on the many roads that lead us to the Mission, whether guest or volunteer or staff. For Mark, that avenue began with that Jesus Saves cross that hangs over the Mission chapel building on Michigan Avenue. He was heading to a Lugnuts game when he saw it. The resulting curiosity led to him become a volunteer, serving meals then serving on the board, and finally to his current position as the executive director. So when we had the ability to give him a smaller version for his home, the idea seemed inspired.

Then the lights went out over Lansing.

 

The blackout hit right before Christmas, and while the Mission was blessedly immune to the power outage, our executive director found his house to be one of the many without power. In fact, his entire neighborhood was blanketed in darkness.

 

Until he received his Christmas present.

 

 

When I see this photo, which Mark posted to his facebook page after plugging his gift into a generator, I think of Christmas. The real Christmas. The message of Christmas that gets lost in the lights, and the tinsel, and the glitter, and the gifts. That message, that Christ came to earth to die for us, isn't just meant for Christmas. It's meant for every day. In that hushed, dark stillness caused by the blackout, the message shone with a brightness unequalled in the whole of its surroundings.

 

Then the lights came on.

 

This little cross got lost in the glare of porch lights and television sets, and, if we let it, the message gets lost too. In Romans 12:9 we read, "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good." Hold fast. It's so easy to be distracted by the glitter of things that, if we truly think about it, are unimportant.

 

Thank you, Fellow Rescuers, without you that light of Truth would have stopped shining long ago. Instead, we can proclaim a message of Hope to all those in need.

 

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2

Resolve to Rescue in 2014!

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

 

Lately, I've noticed a recurring theme in the words of my pastor and daily devotionals, the theme of choice. Joshua asked the nation of Israel to "choose," and that idea of choice included more than just a determination. More than just good intentions. While he asked his fellow Israelites to make a choice, his final words indicated that, for him, that choice had already been made and put into action. Choose and Do. No hesitation. No pause. No "I'll start tomorrow."

 

A friend once gave me a great piece of advice: make your resolutions (goals) measurable. Don't be vague and say, "This year, I'll be a nicer person." Or "In 2014, I'm going to make a difference." Put specific goals in place; look at your schedule; check out your budget. Do the homework and the research. Create a specific plan and follow through.

 

Recently, we received a call from one of our fellow Rescuers. Like many others after the ice storm, she was without power for several days. She was calling to ask direction to deliver a donation of new, heavy duty gloves, hats, and flannel shirts. While being without power, she'd come to better understand the needs of those out in the cold weather. So, she put a plan into place and made it happen. Today, there will be several grateful people because she put action to her compassion.

 

Another year has arrived. Its blank pages lie open, waiting for the actions that will shape our lives and the lives of those around us. You have a choice. Your options for 2014 are open. What will you choose?