"Grateful for His Truth" - Nov. '19 Mission Moments

NOVEMBER 2019

Grateful Truth FOR HIS

GIVING

T KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“LET THEM GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HIS LOVINGKINDNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERS TO THE SONS OF MEN! FOR HE HAS SATISFIED THE THIRSTY SOUL, AND THE HUNGRY SOUL HE HAS FILLED WITH WHAT IS GOOD.” PSALM 107:8-9

Thanks

hanksgiving is by far my favorite family holiday of the year. Growing up Thanksgiving always meant that 35 to 40 aunts, uncles, cousins and of course grandma and grandpa would get together. Where we met was always hot and cramped with everyone crowded around a few card tables connected to a dining room table. No matter how uncomfortable it might have been, it was always great because we were all together as one family eating great food, but most of all taking time as a family to fellowship and thank God for all of His blessings.

If you have ever volunteered at our “Thanksgiving Food Box Giveaway” or our “Great Thanksgiving Banquet”, many of the same qualities about Thanksgiving that I cherished while growing up are the same

at the Mission. It will be hot and crowded, but it feels like everyone is family and most importantly we are all together as God’s children giving thanks for all He has done.

I was lucky to have grown up in a Christian home where God was the center of our family.

Many of the people who stay at the Mission have not had those same advantages, but it is our goal to treat each person with not only respect, but to show them Christ’s love and care for them as family.

At the Downtown Rescue Mission we have so much be thankful for. Without our donors, volunteers and our prayer warriors much of what we do would not be possible. THANK YOU for being faithful to God’s work at the Mission!

Black Friday. Cyber Monday.

December 3, 2019 MISSIONMOMENTS | November 2019

Grateful Truth FOR HIS

FINDING MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST ALONE “SEE WHAT GREAT LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD! AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE! THE REASON THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW US IS THAT IT DID NOT KNOW HIM.” 1 JOHN 3:1

M

y life was a struggle before Christ came into it. My responsibilities became too much for me on my own. Being a father and a husband seemed impossible. I didn’t feel deserving of my family’s love.

In turn, I began to push them away, believing in the lies I told myself.

Left to my lonesome, I started drinking to numb the pain, which progressed over time to the use of multiple other drugs. After years of this cycle I decided it was time to rid this world of my miserable

self. Suddenly I heard something, a voice, saying it’s not time. I knew this had to be God, so I decided to get some help. I called my employer and resigned from my job – heading to the Mission afterwards. It was January 26, 2019.

After arriving at the Mission, I felt an overwhelming peace and knew I was meant to be here. God has since reconciled my relationships with my family. I am now at the point in the program where I can leave on pass to spend time with them. I have freedom and inspiration in Christ I never thought I would know.

I’m currently in classes learning about my Savior and the love He has for all His children, including myself.

Unknowingly, I was living in this world of sin. Guided by truth, my life can now begin. My goal in life is now to live not for myself but for Him died for me and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:15).

Caleb Morris

donate.downtownrescuemission.org

M I S SION IN MY WORD S

W

Wilson Lumber

ilson Lumber has a long history of giving back to the Huntsville community who has given so much to us in the 70 years we have been doing business. As one of our owners Robb Wilson recently put it, we are blessed to give back a portion of the blessing given to us.

WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ALONGSIDE THE DOWNTOWN RESCUE MISSION TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY. The way we do that is through our Wilson Lumber Caring Team. The Caring Team is the mission arm of the company with the three-prong charge of utilizing company resources to care for our employees, our community and our world. The team is comprised

of approximately 12 Wilson Lumber employees who meet regularly to plan how to achieve these goals.

Each year the Wilson Lumber Caring team chooses a local organization with which to partner throughout the course of the year to support needs in the local community. This year’s partner is the Downtown Rescue Mission.

Our partnership with the Downtown Rescue Mission allowed us to donate building materials for facilities improvements at the Mission’s facilities.

This year we helped with storage bins and dressing rooms at the new Winchester Road Thrift Store, as well as the construction of walls and doors for the pallet donation storage area in the gym and a few miscellaneous needs at the Gately House.

We have the privilege this month of collecting donations for the rescue mission’s annual Thanksgiving meal. During October we ask employees to donate enough money to purchase a turkey (or two, or three) for a family the Mission will serve, and the Wilson Lumber Caring team will match employee contributions dollar for dollar. This is a great opportunity to directly involve our employees in serving the community too.

We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside the Downtown Rescue Mission to help our community.

MISSIONMOMENTS | November 2019

I

RUNNING FOR GOD AT THE DRM

n June of this year, with the support of Fleet Feet Sports and many volunteer running coaches, the Downtown Rescue Mission started a 5K training program for the men and women in our residential L.I.F.E. Recovery Program.

A few weeks ago, we began our 2nd training program and have approximately 20 program residents coming out every Sunday afternoon to train for our goal 5K race, scheduled for December 7.

When asked for his thoughts on the 5K training program, Matthias Fowler said, “I am in the 4th step (quarter) of the life recovery program. I was introduced to this 5K training opportunity 5 months ago. This has been a huge part of my walk with God because it is a major step in my recovery and all around wellness of my life itself. Having been saved and now continuously renewed by my Savior, it is part of the wonderful opportunity I continue and look forward to in my personal training regimen of mind, body and spirit. We’ve had wonderful coaches that God has blessed us with and have taken time out of their lives to be a part of our journey for which I am forever grateful.” Matthias not only participated in the summer training program, but this Fall he is serving as one of our running mentors, supporting and encouraging our new runners on their journey to fitness.

We at the Mission are so thankful for all of our volunteer coaches. When we asked our lead running coach, Debbie Sowers, to share her experience as a coach, she said “My

experience as a running coach at the DRM has been a very rewarding journey. My expectation was to coach and inspire the men and women to make goals for a dedicated 5K race.

However, the journey has been beyond just coaching/training, it has been life changing, in the most positive way. I have been blessed with the opportunity to learn about the ladies through our weekly runs and Share groups. Hearing the stories reminded me of the harsh realities of our world today, and the difficulty many people face in preserving their human dignity and selfworth. God has a purpose for these men and women. I want to thank the DRM for allowing me the opportunity to share with, pray up, and love on these men and women. My biggest reward is seeing the positive impact running (physical), sharing (mental) and prayer (spiritual) has on these individuals in the future.”

We continually strive to leave no stone unturned as men and women find new life in Christ here at DRM. Through our program classes, D-groups, chapel services, work therapy, and fitness training, we pray that God would be glorified and those in our care made more into the image of Christ as they seek Him through many healthy disciplines.

Thanksgiving and Christmas

HOLIDAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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GREAT THANKSGIVING BANQUET

e have many ways you and your family can serve this holiday season. In addition to our annual opportunities, we have added dinner meals on banquet days this year. Sign-up today at https://www.downtownrescuemission.org/volunteer while we have openings! For more information, please contact Corey at corey@downtownrescuemission.org

Wednesday, November 27............... Decorating, 8:00–9:00 a.m.

Dinner, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.* *serving at both the main facility (men) & Owen’s House (women & children)

THANKSGIVING DAY BANQUET Thursday, November 28.................. Decorating, 8:00–9:00 a.m.

Lunch, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Dinner, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.*

THANKSGIVING TURKEY BOX PACKING

*serving at both the main facility (men) & Owen’s House (women & children)

Sunday, November 24........................................2:00–4:00 p.m.

Starting in our Main Facility Chapel

CHRISTMAS DAY BANQUET Wednesday, December 25.............. Decorating, 8:00–9:00 a.m.

Lunch, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Dinner, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.*

THANKSGIVING TURKEY BOX GIVEAWAY Monday, November 25..........................10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 26..........................10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

*serving at both the main facility (men) & Owen’s House (women & children)

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED SEPTEMBER 2019

28,012

Meals Served

1,686

Volunteer Hours

Lodging

8,550

Sack Lunches Provided

929

Clothing Provided

4,733

Foodboxes Provided

251

is a proud member of

®

82060

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