Downtown Rescue Mission April 2017 Newsletter.

MISSIONM MENTS April 2017

in the

SECOND CHANCES

We will always be a place for second chances

S KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things are passed away; behold, new things have come.”

II Corinthians 5:14, 15 &17

ome years it almost seems as though the leaves on the trees and the flowers on the ground burst out over night as we go from winter to spring. Here at the Mission, Spring reminds me of new life especially for the men and women in our programs.

Many who come to the Mission have received a new life as they accept Christ as their Savior.

Sometimes this happens over night, but most of the time it takes months and even years of teaching and counseling for our guests to accept this wonderful free gift.

It can be difficult for my staff and I who see many successes, but also see many who never truly change their heart and life for God. We see men and women who come and go in and out of the Mission just using our programs and services and then

leaving and coming back to do it all over again a few months later.

I remind my staff that we will always will be here as a place of not just second chances, but third chances, fourth chances, fifth chances...etc.

It reminds me of a gentleman named Moe who came to the Mission and entered our Bible based program five times before, in his words, “it finally clicked” with his life. Thank God we didn’t tell Moe he only had one chance!

That is the same way we are with God. Can you imagine if He had only given us one chance? That’s why the Downtown Rescue Mission will always be a place for second chances and where anyone might find hope in Him.

THRIFT STORE CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DATES & LOCATIONS

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oin us for free hotdogs, hamburgers, and store-wide savings at the dates and locations below! The food will be served from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. but the savings will last all day from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. We hope to see you at any of these locations so we can thank you for donating, shopping, and supporting our ministry.

April 7 – HSV-West April 21 – Albertville April 28 – Madison May 5 – Decatur MISSIONMOMENTS | April 2017

May 12 – HSV-East May 19 – Meridianville May 26 – Athens

“SHORTLY AFTER MY FATHER’S DEATH, I FOUND MYSELF HOMELESS AND LIVING IN MY CAR WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN.”

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y name is Ashley. Life has not always been easy for me. I grew up in the foster care system with my dad in and out of my life. We eventually started to build the father/daughter relationship that I had longed for as a child. However, on February 3, 2016, the world as I knew it came tumbling down. My father was killed in a head on collision. I felt like I lost my faith, my hope, and my dad all in one day. I had so many worries, fears, and questions. One of the biggest questions weighing on my mind was how I as a single mother was going to cope with this loss and drastic change in our way of life. Shortly after my father’s death, I found myself homeless and living in my car with my four children.

I sought help from the Department of Human Resources who directed me to the Mission. Since living at the Mission with my children, I have taken classes to learn the skills needed to get back on my feet and have obtained my very first job! In the past year since my father’s death, the Lord has rebuilt my faith and hope in Him and has given me identity and purpose, which has resulted in much higher selfesteem. High self-esteem can only take you so far though. God and His Word is the best foundation for your children. I know my dad would be proud of me for overcoming the obstacles of the past year. I made a promise to my children that I will always be by their side and we will always live out faith, hope, strength, peace, and love. Although 2016 was not the best year for me, I now realize that God was there the whole time telling me that He is not finished with me yet.

He has more work for me to do. My children and I are so thankful for the Mission being there for us in our time of need.

MISSIONMOMENTS | April 2017

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hen my husband retired from the Navy in 2010, God change our retirement plans by moving us to Fayetteville, Tennessee. I just knew God would have me continue in military ministry, since Redstone Arsenal was so close to my new home. Immediately I joined the Protestant Women of the Chapel on Redstone. Within a month, I was asked to serve. As I began to pray about it, I felt the Holy Spirit ask me to hold and not say yes. I gave some silly reason about weather, ice and a long drive, because I had no sound reason in my mind, why I could not say yes and serve.

Now as my friends and I look back at my excuse, we laugh, because none of us ever saw the change in my calling coming.

“I PRAISE GOD FOR ALLOWING ME TO TEACH AT DRM FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS.” As I sat in a little Sunday school class, Cara Henderson came in to talk about Downtown Rescue Mission and the needs she had for her ladies. As I listened to her talk, the Holy Spirit literally danced inside me. That week I made an appointment that was supposed to be an hour but turned into an easy four to five-hour talk. There was an agreement for me to start teaching January 2012, but all material I would choose to teach was to be approved by Cara.

As I drove home and questioned God on how He wanted me to achieve teaching rescued ladies, I heard God clearly call me to write Homeless No More. The premise of the book was to be, “If home is where the heart is and your heart is not with God then are you every really home?” That four to five-hour meeting with Cara, told me everything I needed to know, so I could write the book.

A few months later, as I was speaking with my family physician, she recommended that I go teach at the shelter she worked with in Nashville. Excited with a new prospect of teaching, I got in my car with plans to give them a call. As jarring of a voice as I can express, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “I did not call you to Nashville, I called you to Huntsville.”

These two little stories, for me, keeps all those discouraging, uncomfortable or flat aggravating moments in teaching from influencing my resolve or my calling. The little stories above do not supersede God’s word in any form but they should confirm that everything that Jesus teaches is alive and that He has the answer to our everyday issues. Jesus said, “If you love Me keep my commandments.” “They will know you by your love.” “With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” “My sheep will know My voice.” Life verses should be chosen, so a person can recall them as easy as an impacting memory. I can teach with confidence only because my God gives me the ability to do, what for me, should be impossible to do. I praise God for allowing me to teach at DRM for the last five years.

L. Kathleen Cline is a teacher at Downtown Rescue Mission and a teacher and advisory council for Christian Women’s Job Corp.

Kathleen is the author of God Plus Military Spouse; United Our Families Will Stand (2008), I Want To Be the Fat Pretty One; Reflecting God’s Esteem (2010) and Homeless No More; Learning to Be a Productive Member of God’s Family (2013); Finding the Way; Proclaiming Jesus As Truth (2017)

MISSIONMOMENTS | April 2017

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e are a quick service chicken restaurant with a calling to do more. Our founder, Truett Cathy, had the heart to take his passion for good food and mesh it with his faith and calling to serve others. That mentality has trickled down into each individual Chick-fil-A location.

Norman Dull, our operator, and the Chick-fil-A Madison staff are so blessed to be a part of that legacy. We have the distinct honor of partnering with wonderful organizations such as the Downtown Rescue Mission.

Specifically on June 3, 2017, we will be partnering with the Downtown Rescue Mission and other area sponsors to host The Chick-fil-A North Alabama Race Series 5k Run to Rescue! The majority of proceeds from this event will feed directly back into the Rescue Mission itself. You can find out more at: www.cfaracenorthalabama.com.

JUNE 3, 2017

www.cfaracenorthalabama.com Chick-fil-A Madison, AL is also running a Give the Gift of Food program during the months of March and April.

The basis for this program is that it allows our customers the opportunity to buy a meal for someone else when they order. The dollars from this promotion will be added up at the end of the each month and will go to help feed those in need through the programs and services at the Downtown Rescue Mission.

We have been so blessed in our years in business and are so thankful for the opportunity to share those blessings with others.

Katie Bentley, Restaurant Marketing Director Chick-fil-A Madison, AL

CRANBERRY SAUCE

CANNED GREEN BEANS CANNED KERNEL CORN

HELP FILL THE HOMELESS WITH HOPE With your donation of any of these items, YOU will help make this Easter special for those who are hungry and homeless.

Donations can be dropped off any time at 1400 Evangel Dr. NW, Huntsville, AL 35816

CANNED CRANBERRY SAUCE

YAMS

CANNED YAMS

BOXES OF INSTANT STUFFING

BOXES OF MACARONI & CHEESE

DINNER ROLLS

MISSIONMOMENTS | April 2017

BOXES OF INSTANT MASHED POTATOES

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he Classic is moving back to Huntsville Country Club on Monday, May 8, 2017. The day will include a continental breakfast, shotgun start, games, prizes and lunch catered by Huntsville Country Club. Below you will find sponsorship opportunities and the cost per team of (4) players. For more information, please contact Tonia at 256-713-4343 or tonia@downtownrescuemission.org.

Master Sponsor Eagle Sponsor Longest Drive Sponsor Closest to the Pin Sponsor Practice Range Sponsor

$5,000 $2,500 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000

Golf Team Luncheon Sponsor Breakfast Sponsor Platinum Hole Sponsor Hole Sponsor

$500 $750 $500 $250 $150

HELPING CHANGE LIVES EVERY DAY! Statistics for February 2017 Meals Served Lodging

APPRECIATION DAY

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ll ambulance, fire and rescue, and police officers throughout the Tennessee Valley

are invited to a free, catered lunch and dinner on Thursday, May 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The event is come-and-go and is a small way we want to say thank you for blessing and caring for this ministry and our surrounding communities.

19,553 6,056 799

Food Boxes

6

Spiritual Decisions

16

Into Permanent Housing

WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED to help the Downtown Rescue Mission care for the homeless/hurting people of our community!

SEND A CHECK

CREDIT CARD DONATION

Downtown Rescue Mission 1400 Evangel Drive Huntsville, AL 35816

Visit us online at downtownrescuemission.org or call 256-536-2441

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1400 Evangel Drive, Huntsville, AL 35816 256-536-2441

www.downtownrescuemission.org