February 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 | VOL. 25 NO. 2

WALKING A BETTER PATH

I

came here broken and ashamed, scared, beaten down by the life I was living and mental illness. I grew up as a ward of the state since 9 ½. I lived in and out of 11 different foster homes and 3-4 maximum state facilities.

The product of institutions, 20 years of probation, drugs and alcohol and a lifetime of pain, loss and sin.

On December 24, 2019 after another failed attempt to end my life, I prayed to Jesus to forgive me for all my sins. I prayed for purpose, meaning, stronger faith, and a better understanding of God. Later that same day, I was brought to the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. Out of nowhere I asked, “Do you have a faith-based drug and alcohol program?” They said, “Yes, we have one.” And so that day my life changed.

Living in the Jeremiah House and doing the Genesis program isn’t a walk in the park. Learning to cut loose the old me and baggage of pain, loss, anger, rejection, abuse, and sin, took quite a bit more of forgiveness, repentance, and love than I understood at the time. Jesus and the helpful and caring staff opened my eyes, heart, and mind to a new, righteous way of living.

Jesus and the helpful and caring staff opened my eyes, heart, and mind to a new, righteous way of living.

I needed to learn to forgive myself, the others who have hurt me, and those I have hurt. This freedom has lifted my heart and taken a burden off my shoulders. I’ve learned that being vulnerable doesn’t mean you’re weak. Having love for those around you and yourself is a strength that I’ve never had before.

Now I help to give back to my community. I share what God has done in my life. I share the “Good News” with those around me. I’m walking a better path than I ever have in my life with a better foundation in God; a stronger faith, and with over a year of sobriety for the first time in my life. God has changed me in so many ways… I now know what it means and feels like to forgive and be forgiven, to accept and be accepted, to have faith, hope, and love for God, others, and myself.

I am deeply grateful for all the staff, people and brothers at Jeremiah House for being a major part of saving my life; and who are still teaching me to live righteously in both my Christian community and in the world. ~ SEAN ALEXANDER

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

THE PROTECTION AND PROVISION OF GOD IN 2020 Protection and Provision – I am not sure which I am more grateful for: that no staff member or client, that I know of, contracted COVID-19 during last year, or the steadfast support from you who donate to the Mission financially and bless it with prayer. God took what could have been a disastrous year for the Mission both health-wise and financially and turned it into a season of blessing. The low income and homeless in the community were blessed because the Mission was able to remain open and offer full services, some at a reduced capacity, including inside dining and nightly shelter. God did this by working through your prayers and financial commitment, so please accept my humble thank you on behalf of myself, the Clients, Board and Staff.

Provision for a Dream - A longstanding dream of mine had been to have a portion of the downtown Mission property dedicated to goal-oriented shelter. The dream was realized when five Tiny Houses were donated by three Rotary Clubs – Lacey, Gateway and Olympia. Rotary Club members came alongside Board members Jack Olson and Tim Langan, and other volunteers, to finish the construction and installation of the Tiny Houses. The residents have been blessed by the commitment and hard work of Jackie Smith who volunteered to be the manager and counselor for the Tiny House village – “Camp Mercy.” Lives are already being changed. Residents are learning to live clean and sober lives, being introduced to Jesus, finding employment, and making plans for the future.

Expanding the Mission’s Tent - Despite the pandemic, God “expanded our tent” in 2020 by creating a business opportunity that led to employment for a graduate from the Women’s Addiction Recovery – Life Transformation Program, Lisa. Lisa’s story is on page 4, I encourage you to read more. The one prayer still to be answered is how to turn meal delivery into an opportunity to share Jesus, but it is about His timing not mine. As I write, the Mission is serving a total of 115 dinners a day, seven days a week, to three Tiny House sites – one in Olympia and two in Tacoma. The Low Income Housing Institute reimburses the Mission for all costs associated with the meals and a “profit” that can be used to invest in other Mission activities.

Provision for Men’s Transformation - As 2020 came to an end, many of you had responded to the need to purchase another duplex to be used for Transitional Living for men. You had blessed the Mission financially with about 75% of the money needed to purchase the duplex. I am in prayer that In February the Mission receives a grant from the Murdock Foundation for enough money to complete the purchase. I am very, very grateful that despite the uncertainties and economic pain associated with COVID-19, you found it in your hearts to invest in providing a Christ-centered residence for six men working to walk out their faith by living a new and productive life.

I am absolutely convinced that God works through the efforts of His people to make miracles happen. You are His people and the Mission is His miracle! God bless you for stepping up! Blessings in 2021.

ONE

MONTH AT THE MISSION

HOT MEALS

6,500

SHOWERS

450

LOADS OF LAUNDRY

575

CLOTHING BANK ITEMS

2,967

NIGHTLY SHELTER INDIVIDUALS

1,200

WEEKLY CHURCH ATTENDANCE

50

DENTAL CARE VISITS

150

VISION VISITS EXAMS AND GLASSES

50

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

Chirps from the

came to us right from Stoean the streets. He applied be in the Recovery

NEST

Program and was quickly accepted because the pressure of drugs around him could have caused him to relapse. Since entering the program, Sean’s relationship with Jesus has grown significantly. Now on staff at the Mission, he serves anywhere there is a need.

A women’s safe shelter for short term stays.

Nicole came to the Women’s shortterm shelter after being homeless.

She quickly found work and got her life in order. Then she had an accident. At work she cut off most of her finger, but she didn’t allow it to get her down, nor did she miss a day of work.

is a man that wants RHisicktojourney help wherever he can. has been dif-

ilingual, Roberto is deBmultitalented, scribed as a hard worker, and very or-

ficult, with beating cancer and a lifetime of trying to break the cycle of addiction in his life. He looks forward to where God is taking him as he leads a clean and sober life.

ganized. He has high standards for himself and helps in the Mission’s kitchen by putting his God-given talents to work. Roberto attributes his sobriety to Jesus who has helped him every step of the way.

Successfully, Nicole moved to the Mission’s transitional housing, then finally she was accepted into Oxford housing (clean and sober living). She has a relationship back with her children and she beams God’s glory.

Lannah came to the Mission’s Nest with such a grateful attitude.

She soaked up as much of the Holy Spirit as she could and grew in God’s Word. Missing her family, she worked hard to save money so she could move back to S Carolina to be with them. Today she shares the good news of God’s love to those around her.

Melissa was not a believer when she was invited to come live at The Nest. The staff had compassion for her because it was the beginning of COVID-19 and she was very broken and afraid. It wasn’t long before she was able to move, all the while singing the praises of God.

has been a caretaker Dlife,iane of the family most of her even to her own det-

riment. As she has worked through the Recovery Program, she has demonstrated a deep curiosity for God’s Word. Her walk with Jesus has been strengthened during this time, and it shows in her love for others and the community of women she lives with at Genesis Acres.

has learned that Dareavid family relationships so important in life.

He has grandchildren, so David focuses his energy on connecting to these precious young ones and being involved in their lives. He loves the Lord with his whole heart and is thankful and grateful for the Mission’s Recovery Program.

GRADUATION IS JUST THREE MONTHS AWAY...

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ODI YARBROUGH (pictured in the middle) is the Counselor and Director of the Men’s and Women’s Transformation Recovery Program. “I am so proud to be a part of the lives of these individuals. I have the utmost respect for their tenacity to work through the rigors of the Genesis Program. They have faced their demons and have run to the Father’s protection allowing God, through their relationship with Jesus Christ, to heal them. Their lives have dramticially changed as a result of God’s transformation, and I can hardly wait for the day of graduation to present them to you. Your prayers and support for their transformation makes all the difference. Join us as we present our ‘Virtual 2021 Graduation Celebration,’ Saturday, May 1, 7pm. Hear their stories and be sure to attend the reception afterwards to get a chance to meet them personally. See you then.”

save the 2021 date - saturday, may 1, 7pm

“I’m cooking for 115 people living in Tiny Homes!”

W

elcome to Lisa’s world. Ask her a year ago if this could be a possibility, and I think she would have laughed and said, “Impossible!”

Lisa has learned that God will have His way in her life. She has learned that “When there is a plan and purpose, be ready to follow His prompting and watch the amazing things He will do.”

The non-profit organization Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) develops, owns, and operates safe, clean and sober housing. A few years ago they started the Tiny Village on Plum St. in Olympia, and more recently the Tacoma Emergency Micro-Shelters and the Tiny Village on Orchard and 6th. The villages house individuals and families in a goal oriented atmosphere for six months to a year, so they are able to get back on their feet.

LIHI approached Skip Steffen, the Mission’s Executive Director, in 2018 to cook meals for the Plum St. Village. There are 40 units and the project seemed doable. The tiny village concept came to the Tacoma area, and they were in need of food being prepared there as well. Lisa had started small with the Plum St. housing, but now she was being challenged, not only to feed more folks, but keep it hot and drive the freeway to Tacoma. “I start cooking by 1pm. By 3pm I am on the road stopping at each village.

Folks run out to help me bring the food to their centralized kitchen. I hop back in the truck and am back to Olympia by 5:30pm.”

At first she was fearful, but that still small voice spoke to her saying, “Do what you are afraid of and it will all be ok! I am with you.”

Lisa found she loved the cooking, “It’s great fun. I get to bless people with food. People don’t complain. I have not heard one complaint in the year I have been doing this ministry. The folks are really grateful for everything, and I feel that I am able to show Jesus’ compassion. This experience has drawn me closer to God. I graduated from the Mission’s Recovery Program in 2020. Before I came into the program, I was never satisfied and always wanted more. Today, God through the Mission has shown me I am completely satisfied in Him - I am in want for nothing, and I am thrilled to be used by God to oversee the LIHI meal program.”

Lisa Edwards, Tiny House Caterer

Schedule a behind the scenes look!

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xperience the impact your gifts have in our community. Take a tour of the Mission and see many of the services and meet the staff that help to care for our neighbors in distress. From the cooking of hundreds of meals a week to Bible studies, the dispensing of glasses and the state of the art dental clinic, it’s an experience that will amaze you.

There is so much to see, but you can tailor your tour to a convenient time and length by calling Karen Robbins our Community Liaison at 360.709.9725. Make an appointment today to have a firsthand glimpse of what God is doing in your community.

Is there a love so faithful as yours?

A refuge so safe as your loving arms?

O God how grateful a servant you have found in me.

Your Son’s life gives me a daily reprieve.

You’ve unhardened my heart.

Awakened my joy.

Praise your name, my one true Father.

I’m forever your servant.

I thank you Father my life you employ.

My will is yours. You lead, I follow.

I take your hand without fear for your plan for it is greater and brighter than my imagination could ever conceive. ~ Kaye, former program participant

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