"Thank You, Lord" - August '20 Mission Moments

AUGUST 2020

THANK YOU

Lord

BOLD FAITH

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KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“IN HIM AND THROUGH FAITH IN HIM WE MAY APPROACH GOD WITH FREEDOM AND CONFIDENCE.” EPHESIANS 3:12

recent survey stated that 26 percent of the population of the U.S. does not believe in God. This is a staggering statistic because just a generation or 30 years ago the percent of people who believed there was a God was 96 percent. Over my 25 year career in recue mission work I have seen a real shift in peoples’ attitudes towards Christ centered ministries like the Downtown Rescue Mission. What was once seen as an honorable pursuit of sharing the gospel is now sometimes seen as politically incorrect.

It reminds me of Daniel, one of my favorite Bible heroes. He was a man of great character who was raised to second in command under Darius the king of Babylon. Many of the other leaders did not like Daniel, but try as they might, they could not find any wrong doings or corruption to accuse him of and to get him out of power. The only thing they could get Daniel on was that he worshipped and prayed to God. They devised a plan and went to the King to make a new law that only the king could be worshipped

WHAT WAYS ARE YOU HELPING THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY?

knowing that Daniel would disobey.

Their plan worked, because Daniel continued to publically worship his God even though he knew it would get him in trouble. For disobeying he was thrown into a lions’ den, but Daniel had bold faith that God would take care of him and God did. (You can read the entire story in Daniel 6) The Downtown Rescue Mission will always be bold for God in our faith as we share about salvation through Jesus Christ to all who will listen. In Ephesians 3:12, Paul tells us that through Jesus we should have boldness and confidence in our faith.

No matter if it is politically correct or not we at the Mission will be a testimony through the boldness of our faith in God. I believe that only through God can you help change someone’s life from the grips of addiction or despair or homelessness.

Please continue to pray, give and volunteer as we go forward with bold faith to a lost and dying world.

God is good!

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THANK YOU “I CAN TESTIFY THAT GOD LOVES YOU, FORGIVES YOU, AND WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU.”

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would like to start off by thanking my Lord and Savior for seeing me through life. I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of sixteen. The doctors told me that I would not live to see nineteen, but by God’s grace, I did. Around that time I married the love of my life.

Even though I caused her a lot of pain, she has never given up on me. I’m sixty-two now. From nineteen to now, I have battled alcoholism and drug addiction.

I started drinking and doing drugs to cope with the cancer and loss of family members that I loved. In my early twenties, I remember asking God questions you may have asked Him – “Why me?” and “Why are you doing this to me?” Eventually my addiction took over my life and led me to prison, separating me from my wife and family. I felt like everyone and everything was against me. It was them who had the problems.

Lord

Then one day I realized the problem was me – not other people. They were just trying to help me.

When I was released from prison, I still hadn’t conquered my addiction. It wasn’t long before I went to my dealer to get a fix, but to my surprise, he wouldn’t sell me anything. He told me to fix myself or get some help so I decided to come to the Mission. I started the life recovery program to only leave shortly after beginning. I had so many fears and insecurities.

I hadn’t been free from my addictions for many, many years. However, I came back hoping for a second chance and praise God, received one. I was brought back into the program last year on Thanksgiving Day and haven’t left! Through God’s grace and the support of our ministry staff, I’m in the third quarter of the year long program and hope to graduate in November.

In spite of my addiction and health problems, I can testify that God loves you, forgives you, and will never leave you.

–Ricky Johnson

donate.downtownrescuemission.org

MI S S ION IN M Y WOR DS

MESSAGE FROM CHAIR OF THE BOARD

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f you are reading this newsletter then you are most certainly a member of the Downtown Rescue Mission family. Our family includes thousands of donors, volunteers, community partners, and Mission staff devoted to serving the hurting, hungry, and homeless in northern Alabama and southern Tennessee. We are a family of faith, united in our commitment to love our neighbors and share our blessings with the less fortunate.

“WORKING TOGETHER OUR MISSION FAMILY IS CHANGING LIVES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE DISADVANTAGED BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.” My wife Ona and I joined this amazing family more than twenty-five years ago shortly after I retired from the Army, and we moved to Madison. We felt incredibly blessed to be living in such a caring and giving community and became regular Mission donors and occasional volunteers. When ground was broken for the new Owen’s House facility for women and children some years ago, we were humbled to be among those Mission family members who were able to make a significant gift toward construction.

Two years ago I volunteered to serve on the Board of Directors and recently was elected as Chairperson.

Your board is responsible for advising the senior Mission leadership, promoting the Mission in the community, donating their own time and money, and encouraging others to do so, and ensuring that the Mission stays financially healthy and uses resources

efficiently. The board includes some of the most accomplished and devoted members of our Mission family, and I am honored to be serving alongside them.

Thank you for being a member of our family and for your commitment to the hurting and homeless in our community. Working together our Mission family is changing lives for the betterment of the disadvantaged brothers and sisters in our community.

John Hamilton Board Chair

MISSIONMOMENTS | August 2020

HELP A HOMELESS STUDENT & PROGRAM RESIDENT PREPARE FOR SUCCESS IN THE CLASSROOM

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e need your help to provide essential school supplies to the kids and program residents who call the Mission home.

NEEDED SUPPLIES: q 3 ring binders (1 and 2 inch) q Notebook paper (not college ruled) q Composition Notebooks q Pocket Prong Folders q Black and Blue Ball point Pens q Highlighters q Black Permanent Sharpies q Boxed Kleenex q Clorox/Disinfectant Wipes q Hand Sanitizer

For more information on how you can help, email corey@downtownrescuemission.org

SIGN UP TODAY!

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n Friday, September 25, 2020, the Downtown Rescue Mission will host its 6th Annual Shoot4Shelter sporting clay tournament at Limestone Hunting Preserve in Ardmore, Alabama. The clay shoot will provide multiple challenging stations and fun games. We will start the morning’s activities with a continental breakfast and door prize opportunities. The cotton drop game, awards, and prizes will accompany lunch.

Contact Sharon for more information about sponsorship or to reserve your team slot at 256.713.4342 or sharon.carpenter@downtownrescuemission.org.

HELP US RESTOCK OUR PANTRY

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e need your help to restock our dry storage pantry with boxes and cans of nonperishable food. We give away food bags to those in our community needing food assistance every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.

One local group helping us alleviate hunger is the Huntsville Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders.

They are hosting a food drive on our campus on Saturday, August 8th, and Sunday, August 9th, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. each day. Their members will be

outside during those hours to collect your donations, sanitize them, and sort items in our storage area.

Want to partner with the Mission by having your own food drive? Please send an email Corey at corey@downtownrescuemission.org for more information. Together we can continue meeting the needs of our community for God’s glory.

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED JUNE 2020

Meals Served

14,978 4,268

Lodging Volunteer Hours

is a proud member of

292 ®

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