Mission Moments September 2024 by Downtown Rescue Mission

KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

WE NEED YOUR HELP

I“FOR HE SHALL DELIVER THE NEEDY WHEN HE CRIETH; THE POOR ALSO, AND HIM THAT HATH NO HELPER. HE SHALL SPARE THE POOR AND NEEDY, AND SHALL SAVE THE SOULS OF THE NEEDY.”

Psalm 72:12-13

have to be honest; the last few months have been more difficult at the Downtown Rescue Mission. We have seen a tremendous increase in men, women, and children needing safe shelter and nutritious meals and during this same period, our monetary donations are down almost 15 percent from last year. The current economy has been detrimental to low-income households, which has compelled many more folks to need our services. The high inflation rates have also tremendously increased our costs and lessened our monthly giving. During this same time, some local shelters have either had to reduce the number of people they can serve or have shut their doors completely. The Mission is currently seeing record numbers to the point that we have surpassed our bed capacity and are now having to sleep men and women on mats on the floor. It has always been my policy to accept everyone who needs help even when we are over capacity. I would rather have people in the safe shelter of the Mission than be on the street

or in their car with nowhere to go and no food to eat.

I remind my team often, that the Bible tells us that we serve a God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and that he will always take care of our needs. For over 49 years, the Lord has guided and provided for DRM as we help the most vulnerable of our community. This is one of the most giving communities that I have lived in and I know that your concerns for our neediest neighbors will help us meet the current need.

Even though we are already bursting at the seams, the next few months will be even busier. People often ask me how they can best help. First, we covet your prayers, Then, if you can help with a larger onetime gift or if you become a monthly recurring donor that would help us meet our goal. Our main goal is to share hope with all people through salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank you for partnering with the ministries of the Downtown Rescue Mission.

We are starting to collect Thanksgiving items to serve to our community Items Needed: Yams, Corn, Green Beans, Canned Cranberry, Stuffing, Powdered Gravy, Instant Potatoes. If yo ur church, co mpany, scho o l or organizatio n wo u ld like to hos t a barrel-to-fill Food Drive, co ntact: Ashleig h Haye s at 256 -536-2441 or vo lunteer@do w nto w nre scuemissio n.org To do nate or learn more, visit: do w nto w nre scuemissio n.org

A JOURNEY OF HEALING AND RENEWAL

“AND HE SAID TO ME; MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR MY STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS. THEREFORE, MOST GLADLY I WILL RATHER BOAST IN MY INFIRMITIES, THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON ME.”

2 Corinthians 2:19

My name is Whitney. I am 41 years old, and I have struggled with addiction for over half of my life. During that time, I went through abuse of many kinds and homelessness. I graduated from the Life Recovery Program in 2019. I had my children in my life, attended church and held a job, but something was missing. I started struggling once again with substance abuse. I was on the streets and lost.

I was in and out of jail with my last arrest landing me behind bars for a year. During my jail sentence, I began to spend time in the Bible and pray with other people, and I realized that I needed something different, a better way. I also began to see how God was working around me and in other people’s lives. I started having conversations with Him

and He started changing my heart. The want and desire to use was gone and I was walking a truth that I would never have accepted unless in and through Christ Jesus.

I was trying to make life changes on my own without Christ Jesus. Christ brought to light the things and ways that were in my darkness. He spoke truth to my heart, I was speaking truth to Him from my heart and I began healing.

By this time my year in jail was almost over. My relationship with my youngest son had been restored. I was searching for a rehab and my mom told me to pray about it and see what God said. I was released on December 20th, 2023, and I had stayed off drugs since my incarceration on February 2nd, 2023. I arrived at the Downtown Rescue Mission that day to check into the program and that same day I was able to hug my youngest son. A few days after that I was hugging my oldest son and meeting my daughter-in-law for the first time. The reconciliation with my family was such a blessing. I have continued my sobriety and recovery here at the Mission. I currently work the Front Desk for Owens House and I am a part-time van driver.

MISSION IN MY WORDS

EMBRACING FAITH AND COMPASSION

“FOR EVEN

THE

SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED BUT TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RANSOM FOR MANY.”

Mark 10:45 / Matthew 20:28

Iserve at the Downtown Rescue Mission because I want to show Jesus’ love to those who need him. I need Jesus as much as everyone at the Downtown Rescue Mission. I believe in the approach the Downtown Rescue Mission takes to create life lasting rehabilitation where God is at the Center.

“WE LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.”

1 John 4:19

I have seen my mom go through rehabilitation at a place that did not stress the importance of growing a relationship with God and others. I also got to see that nobody seemed to care about her and the lasting negative impact this had on her. I want to make sure others do not go through the same experience she did. I know that God cares, and I want to show the men at the Downtown Rescue Mission that they are not alone even if they might feel alone. The more people that are around showing Jesus’ love the better.

–Jordan Anthony