Building Blocks for Life Transformation

The City Rescue Mission of Lansing provides a Life Transformation Program to men and women who are seeking to overcome drug and/or alcohol addiction. We are excited to be able to offer this opportunity to people who 1) need more in-depth "treatment" and 2) cannot afford the costs of a rehabilitation program. Your gifts help us to help those seeking Life Transformation.

While reviewing their many blessings in 2012, the women in our program wanted to be sure to give their personal thanks to those whose gifts are helping them reach their goal of Life Transformation:

We would like to thank the City Rescue Mission and the Women's Life Transformation Program for all that they have done for us this year. We are very thankful to everyone who donated their time, supplies, and even Christmas gifts for our children. Without God and each and every one of you, it would be impossible for us to transform our hearts, minds, and lives to glorify God!

These feelings of gratitude our echoed by the men on our program, as well as by staff. We recognize that without your support we would be unable to meet the needs of our students.

Below is a wish list of some "extra" items for both areas of the program:

Men's Program
Life Application Study Bible (NKJV), hard copy or leather bound
XL Bible Covers (for men)
Stamps
Mach 3 refillable razors and blades

Greatest Area of Need: Employment. Our men are in great need of jobs during their final months with us and after they graduate. We are especially appreciative for employers who could be an encouragement and support for these men.

Women's Program
Bathroom Scale
Lap desks
Kitchen items, such as microwave safe containers with lids
Laundry baskets
Current calendars in a planner style

Great Area of Need: A doctor who can assist with the care of our students and be supportive of our work with them and their place in the Mission's Life Transformation Program.

For more information on the program, you can check out the brochure for men or for women.

Sounds of Joy

The week before Christmas is never "business as usual." The administrative offices are located in our women and children's shelter, and for Christmas a type of "store" is set up in the classroom. This store is filled with donated toys and other gift items for the mothers who stay in our shelter to "shop" for gifts for their children. Tables with wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and gift bags (for those of us who are wrapping challenged) are set up in the hall leading to the offices. There is even a plate of cookies to de-stress the challenges with tape and tissue and corners that aren't straight.

Yesterday, the sound of sudden laughter echoed right down the hall, through the wall, and into the board room, where we were opening a meeting in prayer. We often pray for our guests, supporters, and fellow staff members, and the sound of the laughter seemed a perfect background for our requests.

Christmas, especially with recent events, can be a sad time for many people. They look at what the day is supposed to represent and they regret what they do not have or what they have lost. Our guests could feel the same; homeless and in need, they could let present circumstances rob the joy of this celebration of the greatest gift ever given to mankind (John 3:16). But there, in the midst of a shelter, was the music of spontaneous joy.

In her struggles with wrapping gifts for her children, the wrapping paper had rolled clear off the table. Frustration? No, laughter. And with the laughter, gratitude at the generosity of those whose compassion has allowed her to provide a bright Christmas for her children. Even in the midst of trials and struggles, they are surrounded by love.

Our prayer for you is that you overcome the frustrations we too often feel with the "hassles" and rush of "Christmasing." Instead, may you find joy, no matter your circumstances or personal trials, and celebrate Immanuel, God with us!

The First Thanksgiving

Contrary to popular belief, the first official Thanksgiving Day was celebrated on Thursday, November 26, 1863, after a proclamation by then-President Abraham Lincoln. While the country was torn apart by the Civil War, he agreed with Thanksgiving Day proponent Sarah Hale (probably most famous as the author of "Mary had a Little Lamb") that the establishment of a day to recognize our blessings and express our gratitude to the "Giver of all Good Gifts" would bring unity to the war-torn United States. Below is a section of his proclamation, and may it be our hope that during days of division or suffering or economic troubles, we can echo Lincoln's prayer for the "Almighty hand to heal the wounds" of our nation.

"...the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity, and union.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed."
Done at the city of Washington this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.
By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State

http://ironbrigader.com/2010/11/20/thanksgiving-day-1863-official-thanksgiving/

What is a blessing?

At last night's Bible study, someone brought up the idea of what a blessing looks like and how our view of a "blessing" can be very different than God's view. The conversation brought to mind a recent interview with a guest at our women and children's shelter, whose story will be featured in our December newsletter (yes, we're working on the December newsletter already :). As we approach the holiday created for the sole purpose of expressing thanks for the blessings we've been given, it's good to keep in mind that sometimes God's blessings are the prize at the end of a tortuous marathon, and sometimes God brings us outside our comfort zone to enable us to be a blessing to others.

Occasionally, our guests will ask a question that I can't answer. The kind of question you ask yourself when you're trying to think your way around a difficulty. This guest asked me if I would be willing to step into her shoes and lose everything if it meant gaining the blessing of having settled the question of faith. She has no choice now but to rely on God. Her own efforts have only led to homelessness and despair. But the prize: she has cleared away the "white noise" and now knows with a certainty where she stands with her Savior and how much her weakness is strength when it is resting in Him. She believes that God brought her to the Mission for her safety and spiritual growth. And her blessing.

Now, if you want to read the rest of her story, check your mailboxes (either in life or online) in December or sign up to receive our newsletter through our website at www.BEaRESCUER.com/newsletter.cfm.

How much is your time worth?

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Time is one commodity we can never get back, but just how much is your time worth? For the Mission, five minutes of your time, from now until the end of December, is worth quite a lot. $10,000, to be precise. Right now, you can click on this link http://ow.ly/eTt1A, sign in to facebook, and vote for the Mission to receive $10,000 as part of Summit Community Bank's giveaway in honor of their 10th anniversary. So, $10,000 is a lot of money, but if you think of value in more important terms... That's nearly 5,000 meals or shelter for about 500 people (broken down to regular statistics that's 200 men and 300 women and children). So, while you're shopping online or checking out a friend's status update, just ask yourself, what is five minutes worth to you?

Lansing's "Best Kept Secret"

Early this morning, I was driving my car north on Larch and had the opportunity to pass the Mission on Michigan Avenue. The sky was a mix of colors, starting at almost gold where the rising sun was mixing with the lights of the city and slowing fading into a deep midnight of a cloudy night taking it's time rolling up for another day. I knew that as I drove over the Michigan Avenue intersection, I'd be able to glance to my right and see the light of the Mission "Jesus Saves" sign blending into the lights of a city rousing itself to face the morning. It was beautiful and reassuring to know that the Mission has been there, steady and unwavering, for 100 years. And that for about seven decades the cross has also been there, shining the light of hope into the dark places of our community.

As I was mulling over these feelings, I remembered the words of a guest with whom I'd recently had the opportunity to talk. She had come to the Mission after losing a great job and a wonderful home. Never having known poverty or want, before now, she'd also never known of the Mission. Seeing the surprise on my face, she admitted that she'd only lived in the area ten years.

Ten years! And never knew of the Mission until drastic circumstances had brought her within hours of living on the streets. The Mission truly is what our executive director recently described as "the best kept secret in Lansing. And it shouldn't be."

It should not be. For 100 years, we've been providing food, shelter, and hope to men, women, and children in Michigan's capital area. We're not funded by the state or federal government. We really do survive on faith and the gifts of those who do know about the Mission and who help us help others. Are you a Rescuer? If you are, don't "keep it under your hat." Not only can you encourage others to become involved but you can make someone aware of a place of refuge and safety. A place of shelter and rescue.

The guest to whom I was speaking? She was contemplating the final act of taking her own life when faced with the "inevitability" of sleeping on the streets. She was terrified of what would happen to her. She was ashamed of her "failure" and angry with God. The last minute encouragement of someone from her church, who told her about the Mission, changed the course of her life.

So spread the news: there is a place to find "rescue" in our community! The City Rescue Mission of Lansing.

Coming Together

Thank you to all those who were able to attend our recent appreciation banquet. It was a blessing to be able to express our gratitude to our fellow rescuers and to be able to fellowship together. The food, provided by Colleen's Cuisine, was wonderful, and those guests who were able to give their testimonies did a great job. One of my personal highlights of the banquet was the Mission Choir. For the first time, we asked our program men to sing at the banquet. They were, understandably, very nervous at the prospect, but our staff was more than willing to stand up with them and sing praise to the Lord. The song itself, In Christ Alone (Townend and Getty), is very meaningful, but the choir represented more than just a singing group. Staff were able to come alongside our guests and give them support and encouragement; that's not what we do just on the night of the banquet but rather our opportunity in ministry every day of the week. The Mission is here to provide rescue, and that rescue would not be possible without staff giving support and encouragement to those we serve.

And staff would not be able to provide support and encouragement without our "fellow Rescuers" standing beside us, through prayer and donations, as we minister to our guests. It is your support that "helps us help others."

If you were unable to attend the banquet this year (we were filled to capacity this year), save the date of Thursday, October 10, 2013! We'll send out a reminder in the form of the newsletter and e-Outlook, as the date approaches! Visit the "follow" page of our website (www.BEaRESCUER.com), if you haven't signed up for those yet.