The Past is in the Past - September 2022 Mission Moments

SEPTEMBER 2022

The Past is in the Past

PERFECT TRUST

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KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT.” PROVERBS 3:5-6

rust is an action word that many times we just nonchalantly throw around. You may say you trust your spouse or friends or family or business partner or church or even the government.

But in every one of those examples, there are humans involved, and we are all sinful and not always trustworthy.

The Bible tells us in Psalm 118:8, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.”

It’s a simple statement, but so true.

“Man”—whether your spouse, friend, family member, business partner, church member, or government official—at some point will let you down. The only perfect trust can come from the Lord.

Many of the guests that come to the Downtown Rescue Mission have put their trust in anyone besides the one person who can truly help them, and

that is Jesus Christ. No matter what circumstance you are going through, He is the only answer.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

The reason the Mission is so successful with helping people find their way out of homelessness, addiction or other life struggles is because we point everyone to the only One who can truly change their lives. Thank you for partnering with us and helping us share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Your prayers, volunteering and giving help us continue to reach out with hope, help and love to our community. Thank you!

God is good!

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE It’s that time again! Downtown Rescue Mission is planning to give away 1,200 Thanksgiving meals to those in need throughout northern Alabama and southern Tennessee.

We need 1,200 of every item below:

Drop off donations @ the Mission’s entrance 1400 Evangel Drive NW Huntsville, AL 35816 Donations accepted daily between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

• Financial contributions for turkeys • Brown gravy packets • Instant stuffing (6 oz. boxes) • Instant mashed potatoes (prefer 4-8 oz.)

• Macaroni & cheese (7-14 oz. boxes) • Cranberry sauce (14-16 oz. cans) • Green beans (14-16oz. cans) • Kernel corn (14-16 oz. cans) •Yams (14-16 oz. cans)

“IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, THEY ARE A NEW CREATION.” 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

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ngela will gladly tell you she’s 50 years old because she’s survived so much.

Here is her story: “I was born after my parents’ divorce in 1972. My mother remarried five years later, and that’s when the abuse began.

“I remember being told that my mom wouldn’t love me anymore if I told her. So, I kept my mouth shut until after my 10th birthday. A family friend walked in and caught him in the act. He was arrested and spent only three days in jail, which was all the time he served! He pled guilty to indecency with a child and was sentenced to 10 years of probation (not prison).

“Just barely a year later, he moved back in, and the horrific abuse continued. His threats became even more severe like ‘If you tell Momma, I’ll kill you!’ Thankfully, when a friend told my mom that my stepdad grabbed her inappropriately. Then, I told her everything, and she kicked him out” Years later, Angela’s life seemed to improve for a while before taking another downward spiral.

“I was married and became a mother to our twins—a boy and a girl—when I was only 18-years-old.

We were married for 18 years, but sadly, I cheated on him many times. I was always looking for what I thought I needed. I started abusing over-the-counter medicines like Benadryl and NyQuil, and after my divorce, I discovered alcohol. Then years later after my second marriage and divorce, it only got worse.”

The trauma of childhood abuse can plague victims into their adult years and can lead to all kinds of future problems including substance abuse, and unfortunately, Angela was no exception but found hope in God at Downtown Rescue Mission.

“Joining the program [at Owen’s House of DRM] is the best choice I could’ve ever made. It was ALL God! I’ve been blessed to meet so many incredible women and watch God working in and through this place. I’m blown away!

“My past is just that—in the past. Thank you, Jesus, I don’t live there anymore.”

Today, Angela is a new creation in Christ and gives back to DRM by serving as a van driver for the women and children at Owen’s House.

She loves her family—her grown twins and four beautiful granddaughters—and is grateful for the DRM ministries and generous donors like you.

“Thank you for being obedient to God and letting Him work through YOU!”

donate.downtownrescuemission.org

MI S S ION IN M Y WORDS

GARRON SMITH

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ommunity service is such a valuable contribution to our community. Community service provides the building blocks that span any gaps between our humanity. Building a bridge of hope, caring, and love for our fellow man. The bridge provides the recognition that we as human beings on our little blue planet are all the same. Each of us has hopes, dreams, and the need for true compassion regardless of our life situations. We are dealt a hand of cards for life. Some hands may be better than others. God speaks to all of us. We must just be able to listen and ask God to provide the direction for our purpose. I have listened to God and the message that he has provided me. God has opened the door of my purpose for my life. My purpose is to volunteer my time, love, empathy, and my ability to communicate with the men within the hallways, walls, kitchen, and the food service line of the Downtown Rescue Mission where hope lives. I am overjoyed to be a volunteer that works within the newly remodeled kitchen and food service line.

“I CANNOT FIND THE WORDS TO DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL FULFILLMENT, SATISFACTION, AND GRACE THAT GOD HAS PROVIDED ME THROUGH THESE MEN I HELP FEED. BEFORE EACH MEAL, A PRAYER IS OFFERED TO GOD.” The question must be asked what does magical mean to you?

Magical to me means beautiful, delightful, removing the presence of despair and the turmoil of everyday life. Taking a magic carpet ride to a safe, secure place that removes the hopeless realities of life.

God has placed me in such a magical place. The Huntsville Downtown Rescue Mission is a magical place for me and our community. A place where miracles of magic touch the residents, visitors, and staff. God has allowed me to be part of such a magical place. Observing the magic as directed by God daily. Like a magician waves his magic wand. Hunger is removed with the wave of a fork.

Thirst is quenched with a simple sip of Iced Tea. Loneliness is removed

by God providing fellowship as men eat together in the cafeteria.

The newly remodeled kitchen provides motivation and inspiration for the kitchen staff. The kitchen staff does more than prepare food. With all the food donations that roll through the back door of the kitchen. The kitchen staff is inspired to produce more than just meals for the homeless, they are inspired to produce culinary delights. The kitchen staff prepares meals that are much better than some restaurants in our area. If you were to observe the daily meal preparations, you will find that the meals are prepared with love for the well-being of the men that are fed these hot gracefully prepared meals. You will hear kitchen staff planning meals to make sure that

everyone has a good meal for their nourishment. The Downtown Rescue Mission is more than a soup kitchen. The kitchen is a fully functioning professional managed kitchen. I am so thankful for the feeling that I am part of the kitchen staff and call them friends.

I volunteer as part of the food service line. I prepare trays of food along with my friends from the kitchen. Feeding the long line of men waiting for their meals that are received three times a day. As the men come through the food line, I watch their faces. Smiles a produced once they see the meal that has been prepared for them. The food trays feed these men hope and moments of happiness during their food consumption. As the men come through the food line, they look at me and say thank you. My reply is no thank you, you are helping me more than I am helping you. I have come to know dozens of residents and the overnight men throughout the past. We have conversations about their health and what is new in their lives. We always greet each other with smiles and the warmness of our hearts.

Being allowed to participate in the volunteer program. I have become and welcomed as a regular kitchen fixture of the Downtown Rescue Mission. I cannot find the words to describe the personal fulfillment, satisfaction, and grace that God has provided me through these men I help feed. Before each meal, a prayer is offered to God. I have learned to pray again. I have been filled with love. I learned to tell others that I love them and pray with them showing empathy and concern for their physical well-being and their spiritual well-being.

Throughout my life, I have made a living with my communication skills. I feel God following through me as I have encouraging conversations with the men of the Downtown Rescue Mission. I feel like as a volunteer, the kitchen staff, and the men who seek a good meal are the brick and mortar that holds this magical place together, spreading the word of God.

MISSIONMOMENTS | September 2022

GRADUATE TESTIMONY “BEFORE I WAS AFFLICTED I WENT ASTRAY, BUT NOW I OBEY YOUR WORD. IT WAS GOOD FOR ME TO BE AFFLICTED SO THAT I MIGHT LEARN YOUR DECREES.”

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PSALM 119:67, 71

ental illness. Substance abuse. Domestic abuse.

Homelessness. These are things that, like so many others, brought me to the Mission.

I grew up in a loving home, going to church every Sunday. I did well in school, and was accepted to a private liberal arts college. Life looked full of possibilities.

However, I began having seizures, which limited my ability to work. Depression and substance abuse made this even worse. I graduated, but was dependent on others for support.

Abusive relationships only worsened my depression, and I ruined every friendship I made with substance abuse. We finally got my seizures under control, but my mental state made me unable to take care of myself. My family finally grew tired of it, and I ended up homeless. I had to get help or I could die out there.

I decided to apply to the LIFE recovery program and finally granted God control of my life. I made mistakes, but the structure and discipline helped me learn the skills I needed to succeed. I had support from my family and church community, and a job at

DRM’s thrift stores, and eventually became an assistant manager. I met a wonderful man and in April of 2021 he proposed!

It has always been my dream to edit, and I finally began to pursue that dream. My business, Edits By Knight, has grown and I am now able to edit full time.

When I read Psalm 119 during my time in the program, it resonated in me. The trials I went through shaped who I am and led me here. I am grateful for the valleys I had to walk through, for God has led me to a higher mountaintop than I ever could have dreamed of climbing.

–Michaeli Knight

CUSTOMER FOOD, FUN, AND SAVINGS ARE BACK FOR THE FALL

9/2: ATHENS 9/9: WINCHESTER 9/16: ALBERTVILLE 9/23: MERIDIANVILLE 9/30: MADISON 10/7: DECATUR 10/14: EAST HSV

SET YOUR SIGHTS ON

SHOOT FOR SHELTER www.shootforshelter.org

October 21, 2022

*Morning and Afternoon Shoot Sessions*

Old South Clays

27246 Wooly Springs rd.

Athens, AL 35613 Sponsorships Available! Contact marsha.seymour@downtownrescuemission.org

You’re invited!!

OCTOBER 28 • 5 - 7 PM

at Downtown Rescue Mission’s Main Campus 1400 Evangel Drive, Huntsville, AL 35816

Candy • Snacks • Games • & More!

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED JULY 2022

8,297

Lodging Provided is a proud member of

29,040

Meals Served

201

Food Boxes

®

82060

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