Newsletter August 2022

AUGUST 2022| VOL. 26 NO. 4

Restoring Hope...Transforming Lives ~ Since 1995

M

y life was in shambles. I started my addiction and alcoholism at an early age.

In March of 2021 I was picked up for violating a no contact order with my own mother. I spent a month furloughed in treatment. It wasn’t until the last few weeks of my treatment that I started thinking about what I was going to do when, or if, I got out of treatment, clean and sober. I feared returning to the streets and starting all over again.

“GOD WAS TALKING TO ME” God was talking to me. He was telling me that I could find refuge in His arms, that I would be safe. He protected me from overdoses and violent crimes, and death until this point; and I needed to put my faith in Him. A counselor found the Mission and eventually they accepted me into the long-term residential Life Transformation Program. I knew I had to set goals and keep on a straight path. There was little room for error. Through watching the women in the program and attending Bible courses, my faith started to come

“MY FAITH STARTED TO COME ALIVE” alive. My medicine was community and consistency, and Jesus. All the prior programs were not sufficient enough to help me with my spiritual, emotional, and physical disease.

I wasn’t granted freedom just yet from my crime. I was facing 5 years in prison. I followed all the court rules as my heart was being mended, and there was reconciliation with my children and my family. My mom wrote a moving speech for my court sentencing hearing and the judge graced me with a probation sentence rather than prison. This was only possible through God’s grace. Many were praying for me and I held on to the Philippians 4:13 passage that says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

I am blessed to be a part of Mission history, graduating this past spring with four others. They have taught me about gratitude, humility, and love. I’m appreciative of their friendship and the bonds we

“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST...” have created in the last year and know that I have found my forever home with this family and my new church family at Sound City.

Excerpts from Leah’s personal testimony. Her entire story can be heard online at OUGM.org or by using the QR code below.

Leah continues to live at Genesis Acres and is now working for the Olympia Union Gospel Mission as the Office Manager.

Photo Top: Leah with daughters Bottom: Leah & mom

OLYMPIA UNION GOSPEL MISSION | PO BOX 7668 OLYMPIA WA 98507 | 360.709.9725 | OUGM.ORG | FACEBOOK

[ WAS IT AN ANGEL AT OUR DOOR? “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~ Matt 8:28-30

T

he Mission’s Day Center is where men and women come to find rest from life’s burdens. And oh, how we wish that more would accept the gentle yoke of Jesus to transform their lives.

On a daily basis, doing this work up front and personal with the men and women the Mission serves can be very discouraging. It can feel like climbing into a pit of COVID, drugs / alcohol, violence, poor choices, on again / off again relationship with sobriety, and disrespect for God. But every time it seems overwhelming, God has a way of reminding us of the lives that are no longer in the pit because He allowed you and Mission staff to be part of His plan to rescue them. To also walk beside them and support them as they learn how submission to Jesus is transforming them into the new person He intended for them to become. And it is encouraging to realize that they were once just like those we serve daily, who have yet

to grab hold of the hand we extend and let us help them climb out of the pit.

Mindy and I take pride and have a sense of accomplishment when we open the photo album in our minds and reflect on some of the lives impacted. To name a few: Mia - from addict to mother and vision technician for last five years; Ron and Jewels - from living in a car shooting dope to proud home owners pursuing rewarding careers; Randy - from alcoholism to living on his own boat and helping others out of the pit; Lisa - from addiction and homelessness to property management in downtown Seattle; Pat – from alcoholism to facility maintenance technician in Seattle; Sherry - from addiction and mental illness to addiction recovery counselor; Ray - from alcoholism to care giver to disabled; Amber and Kalob - from addiction to being both employed in health care; Sharon - from meth addiction to wife, mother, and Mission employee. All of these are connected to, and active in a church.

God is working through your prayers and financial support to make life transformation possible. Without you, this work does not happen. So please, enjoy a moment reflecting on just a fraction of the lives that you have impacted for the Kingdom. And, Mindy and I will keep reaching into the pit.

S

ometimes we are at the Mission after hours. This particular warm evening there was a tap on our locked door; hesitating, I wasn’t sure I should answer it, but I did.

There was a slight older gentleman dressed in black, wearing a cowboy hat.

He apologized for interrupting me, but he said he was desperate for information. His vest brandished several patches from a war long past. “Vietnam,” he told me, “Army.” He went on to share that because of a decimal point error in his veteran benefits, he had lost everything and COVID put him out on the streets.

The man from Texas was desperate for help until his benefits were reinstated.

He was told he should be receiving a check any day; but he was hungry, and needed money for gas to move his RV. “I just have to move it three feet, so the RV doesn’t get towed away. It’s all I have because a friend generously gave it to me, so I wouldn’t have to live on the streets.”

Hearing about his trauma, the Holy Spirit was nudging me to pray, but he beat me to it. He said, “Do you pray?” “Absolutely,” I said. And as I prayed for him, he began to weep.

Armed with information he needed for help, he thanked me and said good-bye.

I went back inside, locked the door, and looked out the window to watch him walk away, but I could not find him. I leaned closer to the window looking out, but he was nowhere to be seen. Was it an angel at our door?

OLYMPIA UNION GOSPEL MISSION | PO BOX 7668 OLYMPIA WA 98507 | 360.709.9725 | OUGM.ORG | FACEBOOK

DENTAL LAST 9 MONTHS

1,018 received care $305,400 worth of health care VOLUNTEERS 137 dentists, hygenists, assistants

PATIENCE of a SAINT and EYE for Design!

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ATIENCE – for 30 hours a week for the last seven years, Craig Busick has learned to be patient!

After graduating from the Mission’s Life Transformation Program, Craig started volunteering in the Mission’s clothing bank and has since become staff. When asked what one thing he has learned from the job of overseeing the clothing bank, it was patience! “Truth be told, I have had to learn how to be patient with the clientele. They can push my buttons.” Craig went on to say that he needed to change. When Craig started greeting people and joking with them, they responded in kind.

“Kill them with Kindness” is his motto now. He realizes that it has helped him come out of his shell and lifted his mood.

When asked about his job description, besides needing to be patient, stamina and organizational skills come in a close second, he said.

There are times when mounds of donations come flying in, and there is little rest between sorting and displaying the clothing. “Each customer can take up to seven articles, including one pair of pants and shoes, so we are always replacing pieces with new donations.”

The clothing bank can be described as always neat and tidy. “Suzie,” explains Craig, “volunteered at the clothing bank before me, and she had an uncanny ability to organize and make the place very inviting to the guests coming to ‘shop.’”

Craig has continued to keep the standard high with a twist. Next time you drop off a donation, check out the collection of tee shirts lining the wall – Craig has an eye for design!

VOLUNTEER HOURS 744 hours

VISION LAST 6 MONTHS 111 optometrist hours 170 glasses

MEALS LAST 9 MONTHS 44,205 meals served

Socks and jeans are donations needed year-round. “There are never enough jeans for men sized 30-36,” says Craig. He also mentions how folks enjoy hoodies and new undergarments. Because the clientele live outside, clothing doesn’t hold up, and they need to frequent the clothing bank. Craig is always blessed Past musical tributes to when he has a chance to help someone.Frank Sinatra & Natalie Cole “Recently, a young man was released from jail. He had absolutely nothing. I even bent the clothing bank rules so he could have an extra pair of jeans. He left the Mission very grateful for the help.”

The Olympia Union Gospel Mission gladly accepts new and gently used clothing M-F, 9am-5pm at 413 Franklin St NE & A Ave NE, downtown Olympia.

Please call us if you have any questions at 360.709.9725.

Thank you to Kenny Wyllys, OUGM Security Staff, and volunteer Aaron Busick (Craig’s brother) who help out at the clothing bank.

GROWING

Mission 2001 2008 Remodeled Genesis Acres for women 2001 Jeremiah House for men 2004

Annex administration 2013 Transitional Housing 2020

y name is David and for over 10 years I was M homeless, on the streets, on drugs, and in a very dark place. I got sick and tired of living that way and

decided to get into a faith-based program through the Olympia Union Gospel Mission May 31, 2019.

Camp Mercy 2020

During my time in the program, the Mission helped me grow in my relationship with God through living and working side-by-side with other guys in the program. I learned to trust people and get my life back on track. I completed my high school diploma and enrolled in community college.

Five Plex 2022

HELPING YOUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED Are you wondering what you can do to make a difference in your community?

Are you a business owner? Do you have co-workers who like to rally around a great cause?

Organize a donation drive in your workplace. The Mission always needs socks, jeans, toiletries, hats, gloves jackets. You get the idea!

Simply contact OUGM at 360.709.9725. Ask to speak to Karen, Community Liaison. She will eagerly assist you with the rest!

We supply the donation container and the signage. We also deliver and pick-up.

Helping your neighbors in need!

I’m grateful for the Church of Living Water where I attended regularly, was baptized, and joined a Life Group. The group evolved into a weekly Bible study of very close caring friends, something I was not used to. I took a step further and became a greeter at church, which was perfect for me because I always had a hard time talking to people. I faced my fear and have overcome it.

During my healing process, God renewed my mind in unbelievable ways.

My attitude has totally changed towards people, and I have feelings towards others that I never had before. I have truly felt the love of God, which has left me in awe.

A friend from my Bible study decided to move to California, and he invited me along with him. I was so excited because I know it’s all a part of God’s plan, and a new chapter in my life.

June 6, 2022 was the big move date! We headed for the hot sunny days of California - no more Washington rain! I’m settling into my new church.

Everything that I’m doing now would not have been possible without God using the Mission in my life; I have a bright future and I’m grateful to the many donors that support the Recovery Program who provided me this opportunity.

You can help support the next “David” by donating online at OUGM.org or use the QR code.

Please earmark your gift for the Life Transformation Program. Thank you.

OLYMPIA UNION GOSPEL MISSION | PO BOX 7668 OLYMPIA WA 98507 | 360.709.9725 | OUGM.ORG | FACEBOOK