"My Trust is In The Lord" - Mission Moments May '19

MAY 2019

Trust Lord

MY IS IN THE

S KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“HAVE I NOT COMMANDED YOU? BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! DO NOT TREMBLE OR BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.” JOSHUA 1:9

Hope L I V E S HERE

o many times we are hoping for something instead putting our hope in something. There’s a story about an old sailor who could see a storm approaching.

As the sea became choppy the old sailor calmly lowered his old heavy anchor, battened down the hatches and went to bed for the night. He knew the night would be rough, but he put his faith in that old anchor that had gotten him through so many other storms.

Hope to me only comes through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that is what we teach here at the Downtown Rescue Mission. My favorite verse is Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and

courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Which goes along with Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who is against us?”

We see men, women and children from all walks of life that are hurting and many times have just given up. The Mission teaches hope every day, because no matter what storms of life have battered us we can always put our faith and hope in God. He is our anchor! That’s why I say “Hope Lives Here” at the Downtown Rescue Mission!

MY

Trust I S IN T HE Lord

“TRUST THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS SUBMIT TO HIM AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATH STRAIGHT.”

M

PROVERBS 3:5-6

y name is Hiawatha, and I have lived the majority of my life in Selma, AL. I am a proud mother of seven children and a resident of the L.I.F.E. Recovery Program at Owen’s House.

As far back as I can remember, I have struggled with controlling my anger. In April 2016, an unknown woman walked up to me at a convenience store accusing me of dating her boyfriend. I didn’t know this woman or her boyfriend, but the exchange of words turned into an altercation when the lady hit me. At that point, my anger took the best of me, and I don’t remember the details but was accused of stabbing the woman multiple times. The city eventually dropped the charges for lack of evidence, but I remember the day, April 7th, 2018, like it was yesterday. On this day, my life changed forever.

I spent 120 days in jail and faced the possibility of

serving 20 years in prison before the court dropped my charges. It was only God who saw me through the mess.

I was released from jail and court-ordered to enter into a program to learn to cope with my anger. Being that I have lived my entire life in Selma, I was apprehensive to come to the Mission in Huntsville.

One day, I decided there had to be a change so that I can become a better role model for my daughter.

My daughter Jayla and I walked through the doors of Owen’s House on September 17, 2018, and entered the L.I.F.E. Recovery Program. Although I grew up in the church, I consider my time here a spiritual awakening.

What I thought I knew about the Bible has changed, and scripture has become clearer to me.

The Mission has provided clothing, shelter, and much more for me and Jayla. I am overjoyed to say that I repaired relationships not only with my children, but also with my siblings. There is a noticeable change from who I was last September and who I am today. My daughter and I feel safe… and that is what matters most to me! I thank God for the Mission and the staff who welcomed my daughter and me during our time of need.

God Bless, Hiawatha

https://donate.downtownrescuemission.org

MISSION IN MY WORDS

SHANA DOUHNE

E

arly last year, during a casual conversation with a friend from church, God was working

his wonders with me. In 2002 I attained my master cosmetology license, a few years after working in salons I was no longer working in the industry.

“A SPIRITUAL GIFT IS GIVEN TO EACH OF US SO WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER.” 1 CORINTHIANS 12:7

Instead, I was fortunate to have the joy of staying home to raise my son, Gabriel. While I enjoy staying home, I felt God’s calling to help others by sharing my blessings and talents with our community. When my friend mentioned that a new facility, called Owen’s House, had been built for women and children in Huntsville with a beauty salon inside; I knew it was

or a new haircut for the first time. They enjoy

where I was meant to be! They needed volunteers

having their hair shampooed and scalp massaged in

that could provide hair services to the residents and I

the shampoo bowl. I pray that, in some small way, it

had been looking for an opportunity to use my skills

encourages them on their journey to living a life fully

in a meaningful way. In Corinthians 12:7 NLT tells

trusting Christ. My goal is that their new look will

us “A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help

provide them with the confidence they need to take

each other”.

the next productive step in meeting their life goals.

It has been over a year since I started volunteering

The women and children are always so grateful.

in the salon at Owen’s House . It has truly been a

What I hope they know is that I am thankful for the

blessing in my life. I am grateful for the women and

opportunity to serve in this capacity, the big hugs of

children I have been able to serve there and love

gratitude I receive and the cherished friendships I

seeing their excitement when they receive highlights

have made through this ministry.

MISSIONMOMENTS | May 2019

Moms AT T HE Mission Shasa

“I’m grateful and thankful for the Mission because they have instilled within me a Biblical foundation that I can pass down to my children and others who are low in spirit.”

“I thank God for sending me to the Mission.

I know God sent me there to open my eyes. Life could be much worse right now. I thank God for placing me in a place that helps [me] know the Lord and with whatever you need help with.”

“I feel blessed to have found a new family with my Heavenly Father and the amazing people who work at the Mission who made us feel as if we had always been family.”

Tauna

“I enjoy hearing the excitement from my children when they tell me the Bible stories they learned, like Jesus rising from the grave.

The classes help me to be a much better mother and parent. Without the Mission I know I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get back on my feet or have the chance to be the mom Jesus calls me to be.”

Keyera Evon

SAVE THE DATE

T

he 3rd annual GLOW Run at Big Spring Park is back by popular demand!

Come join one of the fastest growing events in downtown Huntsville on Saturday, August 3rd at 7pm. There will be food trucks, DJ’s, and hundreds of participants dressed in their best glow gear ready to run for a cause.

J

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A PICNIC

oin us on July 3rd from 11am-1:30pm for our INDEPENDENCE DAY PICNIC on the front lawn at 11:00 am for an All-American picnic to include Bounce house, inflatable slide, corn hole, ladder ball, hot dogs & hamburgers, and karaoke. This year, we are so excited to announce that Whitesburg First Baptist is sponsoring the event and will have a program with dramas and worship beginning at 12:30pm!

Hope to see everyone there!

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED MARCH 2019 Meals Served

25,843

1,482

Volunteer Hours

Lodging

8,139

Food Boxes

Clothing Provided

4,263

Into Permanent Housing

is a proud member of

262 4

®

82060

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