Mission Moments - April 2018 Newsletter

APRIL 2018

The

FATHER’S

Love

OL D TO N E W

THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH THE MISSION

T KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“WE SEE LIVES CHANGED THROUGH THE POWER OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS AND THOSE SAME DOWNTRODDEN FACES HAVE NEW LIFE. WHAT ONCE WAS LOST IS NOW FOUND!”

he last couple of weeks I have been refinishing my kitchen cabinets at my house. They were 20 years old and looked battered and worn. The process to refinish them can be arduous. You have to remove them, sand them, paint them, paint them again, put on special treatments and then hang them all back up again. That process can be painstakingly long, but in the end it is well worth the work and effort because I have beautiful new looking cabinets.

We are all sinners and must look as bruised and battered as my old kitchen cabinets, but God looks past that and even though we might take a lot of work to refinish, He has given us the way through His Son Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things

From one mother to another, help share the love by donating your extra or unwanted items to Downtown Rescue Mission. You can help improve the lives of mothers and their children who come to us in need.

#MOMS4MOMS

@drmhuntsville

1400 Evangel Drive NW, Huntsville, AL, 35816 OPEN Sun. – Sat. 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

MISSIONMOMENTS | April 2018

passed away; behold, all things have become new.” My cabinets are still 20 years old however they look brand new. The same is true when we become Christians because “all things have become new!” Praise the Lord!

At the Downtown Rescue Mission, we see people that have been battered and bruised by life every day. You can literally see it on their faces. The great thing is we see lives changed through the power of the blood of Jesus and those same downtrodden faces have new life. What once was lost is now found! Thank you for partnering with the Mission as we share the Gospel with everyone who comes through our doors.

The

FATHER’S O

“I BEGAN TO UNDERSTAND HOW DEEP THE FATHER’S LOVE IS FOR HIS CHILDREN, AND THE JOY I HAVE OF BEING ONE.”

Love

n the streets without a home it’s difficult to find a place to shoot up your drugs. My road to addiction started with marijuana at 12, heroin at 21, and methamphetamine at 25. I felt terrible after doing drugs every time. One day, after years of abuse, I could no longer recognize myself in the mirror.

At 17 I dropped out of high school and earned my GED. The years that followed were riddled with drugs between holding full-time jobs as an electrician.

While things were spinning out of control I found myself flipping through a bible previously given to me by staff at Downtown Rescue Mission during a short stay. The words of Titus 3 caught me, “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works but according to his own mercy.”

The Mission gives me the opportunity to speak transparently about my past, and change the way that I understand the bible and grace that God has extended me.

What it boils down to was the moment I realized that God saved me and it was nothing that I did, but because he loved me, that’s when things turned around. When I started to think about my kids and how there is nothing that they can ever do that would make me stop loving them I began to understand how deep the father’s love is for his children, and the joy I have of being one.

Now I’m 29. I have two beautiful and talented children waiting for me when I graduate the LIFE Recovery Program. Although unsure, I know that my next chapters will be for God’s glory and sharing the love that he has so graciously given to you and me.

Looking back, I can see that God was in pursuit of me all along.

God bless, Jonathan

https://donate.downtownrescuemission.org

JOHN

Mission I

IN MY WORDS

was first exposed to volunteer work while stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. I consider myself resourceful and a problem solver; qualities a co-worker (Liz) took notice of. Liz is bi-lingual and coordinated donations within the U.S. military community for the “Frauen Haus” in downtown Stuttgart. The Frauen Haus is a home for women who flee abusive relationships to start their lives over. Since most of these women flee with children and the clothes on their backs, they need practically everything. I quickly decided to assist Liz by coordinating with numerous groups and people throughout the military community to donate to this worthy cause. When I made my first delivery of donations with Liz, I was hooked. To see the happiness and gratitude on their faces was something to behold.

I worked with Liz until my departure in 2014.

“TO SEE HOW COMMITTED AND SINCERELY GIVING THE MISSION STAFF ARE DRIVES ME TO VOLUNTEER…” I moved to Huntsville from Stuttgart in late 2014 and toyed with the idea of volunteering in the local community for quite a while. My desire was to help people who were truly in need so I eventually settled on the Downtown Rescue Mission and I’m very happy with my decision. The Mission staff personally motivates me. To see how committed and sincerely giving the Mission staff are drives me to volunteer time whenever possible.

In 2001, I supported a joint military exercise in the Philippines. This was my first time in a third world country and it changed my perspective of how I viewed the world and it opened my eyes to how truly fortunate I am as an American. Seeing the hard

working Filipino people struggle to support their families helped me put my life into perspective. I now live my life by keeping things in perspective … “things could always be worse.” Despite the challenges I encounter in my life, I know there are people in this community who are truly struggling.

I retired from active duty Air Force in 2010 and have worked full time for the Army ever since. One of the primary tenants of military service is teamwork.

It’s drilled into us from the moment we arrive at basic training – teamwork and mission first. I personally view any team I’m on and mission I’m given as a boat.

On this boat, I am rowing with everyone on the team, regardless of rank or position. That being said, for all you prospective Mission volunteers … jump in, grab an oar and help us row. Every little bit you contribute, whether it is three hours of your time on a weekend, donating a few bags of rice or a box of winter clothes, helps the overall mission of the Mission.

MISSIONMOMENTS | April 2018

HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL PROVIDES INFANT SAFE SLEEP TRAINING AND DONATES PACK’N PLAYS

H

untsville Hospital Women & Children nurses Jeanette Atkinson and Renee Key recently provided Infant Safe Sleep training for the Owen’s House staff members and will also provide education for the Owen’s House residents over the next three months. Activities for residents will include healthy snacks, door prizes, safe sleep posters, and Pack’N Plays provided by grant funding and support from the Alabama Safe Sleep Outreach Project and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Mother/Baby staff from Huntsville Hospital Women & Children also collected $400 to purchase an additional seven Pack’N Plays for Owen’s House. The goal of this community outreach is to provide education and safe infant sleep environments for the women and children utilizing the Owen’s House facility. We are so thankful for their generosity and training!

MISSIONMOMENTS | April 2018

FORE! T

interjection, Golf. (used as a cry of warning to persons on a golf course.)

his is your cry of warning! Don’t be in danger of missing the 12th Annual tournament. It’s time to get outside and enjoy golf with your friends and colleagues. The Downtown Rescue Mission Classic is at Huntsville Country Club, on Monday, May 7, 2018. The scramble tournament will include games and prizes with continental breakfast and lunch catered by Huntsville Country Club. This is a great way to have fun with clients or reward your staff, all while supporting the hurting and homeless men, women and children in our community.

We are very excited about this year’s Classic. With your help this will be the best tournament yet. Preparations are well underway and there are a few sponsorship opportunities still available. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Downtown Rescue Mission counts on you and your friends in the community to help make fundraising events like this successful. The proceeds from this tournament will ensure that we can continue to provide essential care to homeless and hurting men, women, and children in the Tennessee Valley. At Downtown Rescue Mission we believe in change from the inside out, and that means taking care of the entire person. Your donations, sponsorships, and participation helps directly provide physical, emotional, and spiritual help to those in need.

YOU make it possible! Register your team or sponsorship now. Contact Tonia@downtownrescuemission.org or 256.713.4343 for more information.

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED FEBRUARY 2018 Meals Served

23,381

Lodging

7,264 is a proud member of

Food Boxes

687

Spiritual Decisions

8

Into Housing

®

82060

1400 Evangel Drive | Huntsville, AL 35816 | 256-536-2441 | www.downtownrescuemission.org

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