|
Testimonies from residents at Water Street Rescue Mission
Darrell, WSRM graduate, said:
“This year at Water Street Rescue Mission has been the most productive year in my life for maturing and actually having a life. I have learned that even though I have never felt worthy of love, God loves me no matter what. He sent his son here for my sake out of His love for me.”
______________________
Amanda, previous WSRM resident, said:
“My family’s drug use helped them cope with stress and heartache and made them unavailable for their children. I have been a parent to someone’s child since I was 18. Last year I was caring for 13 children – only two were my own – and I was drained mentally, physically and emotionally. I too turned to drugs.
I had been living for my children, but I gave them up to protect them from myself. It felt like I had given away my life. Physical dependence on drugs and alcohol, led me to rehab. Then I returned to my familiar surroundings: home and work. A tragic death occurred in my life, and soon I felt myself sliding into old habits. I needed to move away.
Through a friend and various social service agencies, I found Water Street Rescue Mission in June 2006. The Mission offers a class that combines a 12-step drug recovery class with Biblical principals. I learned how to cope with addictions, addictive behaviors and emotions. Most importantly, I’ve learned that forgiving is a big part of fixing things.
Growing up, my family was into devil worship, and I experienced horrible things. I was holding so much resentment toward my family that I didn’t think I was worthy of God. I was angry at Him, and I felt abandoned. While I knew I needed a connection with Him, I didn’t know how to do it.
People at the Mission showed me how to draw closer to God. He has become my everything since I lost everything that I thought was everything. He brings me satisfaction that I don’t get from people. He got me through a lot of things, and looking back, I can see that He never left me. Now I have a different kind of knowledge to help me be a better mom: The feeling I have of missing my kids is how God felt when I was gone!
I just received custody of my son outside of court, and I know it was only through God. My daughter, 8, is with her father who is dying of lung cancer. I’m willing to miss her so badly so she can spend as much time as possible with her father. My favorite part about being a mom is the hugs and the silly things my kids do. I like to watch my kids interact with each other and see their facial expressions.
Being at Water Street Rescue Mission has been a blessing. I’m even active in a good church now. You can’t walk out these doors and forget that you met God here, and that He was happy to see you.
Please pray for all our mothers at the Mission. Thank God for allowing them to participate in His miracle of new life, and ask God to overwhelm them with wisdom and love for their children.”
______________________
Don, WSRM resident, said:
“It was at a class here at the Mission, studying the book of Romans in the Bible, that it dawned on me just how depraved I had really become. I came to the conclusion that I had to change my ways.”
______________________
Michael, WSRM graduate, said:
Picture: Michael, right, pictured with his mentor in March when Michael graduated from WSRM's year-long recovery program.
“Thirteen months ago my journey at the Water Street Rescue Mission
 began. I remember being in an emergency room after a serious, near fatal suicide attempt. I can still hear my then wife of 22 years saying to the E.R. workers, “I don’t care what you do with him, I just want him to go away!” At that moment I knew, after 35 years of fighting substance abuse and depression, I could no longer face this alone.
A few weeks later after being discharged from the hospital, I was given the opportunity to come to the Mission. I arrived at Water Street broken. I was spiritually, emotionally, and physically bankrupt. Over the next few months, with help from my chaplain and staff, I found the only way I could effectively change was to re-establish my relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
I relate the waste land and the destructive forces I was living in to the Old Testament times in the book of Jeremiah. While the Assyrians were totally destroying everything around them, God said to the people of Israel, if you just trust in Me, I will not only deliver you from your oppressors, I will also give you an abundant life. Jeremiah 29:11 says… For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Through Jesus Christ and the tools I have received during the last year at the mission, I have left the wasteland of my life behind. With a renewing of my mind I have become less self centered and am moving towards becoming Christ centered.
In the last year I have lived without substance abuse.
The purpose of the Christian Life Development Program is to:
-
Perceive our identity in Jesus Christ.
-
Christ Likeness
-
Accountability to God and others
-
Self evaluation
I encourage you to fully engage in this program, face your fears, embrace the pain that comes with spiritual growth, seek God’s Word, and make it active in your life. Learn how to have healthy relationships. Romans 8:37 says…Now in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Change is good!
What a difference a year makes!
______________________
- Priscilla, previous WSRM resident, said:
“Growing up I was a straight-A student, but I was always alone.
 I saw my siblings doing drugs and having fun, and I wanted to belong and fit in. I started doing crack when I was 25. I had a job at that point so I always had money for drugs which meant I always had friends.
Because of the way I was raised, I knew drugs weren’t the right choice. I went through cycles of getting clean and then relapsing. I was tired of it. I felt worthless and I wanted to die. I came to Water Street Rescue Mission at the recommendation of some friends.
I grew up in the church, teaching Sunday school and everything. But I never put God first until now, and that’s what the Mission has done for me. I can talk to any counselor here, and they’ll lend a listening ear. I’ve never had that before where people really cared.
The drug and alcohol class at the Mission was awesome. I learned that I am powerless over my addiction and only God can get me through.
Recently a friend kept asking me for money, and I stood up for myself and said no. I wouldn’t have set that boundary before. The other day, two Mission residents came to me asking for help with a Bible study. This is me, not the addict. People like me. I’m funny.
I took a few college classes a while ago, and my dream is to go back. I like sociology. I like to work with people.
I have been raped and robbed. One time I even woke up in an abandoned building that was on fire. No one brought me through this except for God. He is awesome!”
______________________
Richard, WSRM resident, said:
“Water Street Rescue Mission stresses accountability which creates responsibility and encourages men to ask for advice. I’m supported to succeed. I’m prepared to go back out into the world. It was challenging to change, but I think this is the best approach. “
(return to top)
Testimonies from residents at the Lydia Center at Grace Plateau
Mary, Lydia Center resident, shared her testimony at WSRM’s 2006 Annual Banquet:
Hi. Thank you for having me here tonight. I just want to share a little bit about what the Lydia Center has done – and Water Street Rescue Mission – has done for my life. I’ve been living at the Lydia Center for a little over a year. Before I came to the Lydia Center I had been incarcerated for about six months. I had been pregnant while incarcerated, and had delivered a 9-lb 5oz baby girl. I named her Sarah Olivia and placed her for adoption. Basically, when I arrived at the Lydia Center, I was homeless, a drug addict, labeled with a mental illness, and nowhere to go but up. I had heard about Jesus in jail, but it wasn’t until I got to the Lydia Center that I started to realize that I could have a relationship with him. The Lydia Center staff and volunteers have taken a broken, and desperate woman and showed Who could change me, Who could offer me rest, Who will always love me, never leave me and best of all give me freedom and hope and a new life with him. I choose life today… life in Christ.
Before I came to Christ, though, I had never really thought outside of my own box. I couldn’t see any hope for the future. I was still living in the past. I was completely broken. Life had no meaning or direction. Literally there was no hope. I couldn’t fight this on my own. Then I was introduced to drugs. They seemed to cover all the hurts and relieve all the anxieties. What started out as a way to cope became my worst nightmare. I thought life was out of control before drug;, I surely wasn’t ready for what was coming after drugs. I know this sounds strange, and I’m not really sure that it makes sense, but I was glad that I got arrested. I was glad for the madness to stop. And I reached rock bottom. God had made sure that everything was gone and that I only had Him to rest on. I still cried out in anger, though. I said that if you love me like they say you do, you will take my life. He has shown me over and over how wounds can be healed. Families can be mended, things can be fixed if we just place our hope in Christ.
1 Peter 4:12-13 ‘Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something was strange to you. Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.’
I believe that almost every controversial women’s issue has touched my life, from abortion, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, adoption, and physical and mental abuse. What a mess I made without Jesus. But the most important thing about our savior is that he not only forgives, but he washes us clean.
Psalm 51:7-10 ‘Purge me with hyssop, and I shall by clean. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness that the bones you have broken may rejoice. Hide your face from any sin, blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, o God, and renew a steadfast spirit within in.’
With Christ I have found hope, joy and a sense of a new life beginning, and best of all, peace with him. The Lydia Center and the Water Street Rescue Mission have taught me to not fear the future. No more condemnation because my sins have been forgiven. And lastly to start forgiving in the past those who have hurt me. I will never be able to repay what was given to me through the Water Street Rescue Mission. But I know that my life will never be the same again. Water Street Rescue Mission and the Lydia Center helped me to find the gift, the gift that we want to give to everybody and that is the gift of salvation. I’m not sure if I can find words that describe my gratitude, but I do know that I would have died in my old life. So thank you for giving me a chance to share with you how much Jesus Christ and the Lydia Center and Water Street Rescue Mission have done for me.
(return to top)
Testimonies from patients at the Medical/Dental Clinic
Debra, Clinic patient and WSRM resident, said:
Picture: Debra waits with her two daughters to receive their immunizations.
“I’ve been without health insurance for about two months. I’m in the process if getting it, but it takes time. I’m here today for shots for both of my girls so they can enroll in school. The Clinics are a Godsend, because what else would you do?”
______________________
Carmella, Clinic patient and WSRM resident, said:
“I’m here today for a TB test. It’s free. I have high blood pressure, a heart condition, and a clogged artery. The Clinic has helped me with all my medications, and I have six different kinds. My daughter has asthma, and The Clinic pays for all her medicines. It’s bad when she can’t breathe. It’s like everything is shut off.
My kids are seen by the dentist here, too. The dentist filled their cavities, cleaned their teeth, and did sealants. I had checked at another dentist, and it would have cost $198 to fill one cavity. It means a lot to go to The Clinic. My baby wouldn’t be breathing right and she might end up in the hospital. I would be at risk to go without my medicines. It saves a lot of money. It’s good to have it here. They help a lot of people.”
______________________
Steven, Clinic patient and WSRM resident, said:
Picture: A volunteer in the Water Street Medical/Dental Clinic gives Steven instructions about his new medicine.
“I’m working [temporary] jobs right now, and I haven’t had health insurance for several years. I’ve had some problems with my ears in the past. I didn’t have enough money to live on, so it didn’t make sense to try to get medical help. I came to the clinic today for a cold and sinus congestion, and I didn’t have to pay anything for the appointment or the medicine. There’s regular [health problems] that if you took care of right away, they wouldn’t be a big deal. But if you can’t afford to take care of it, the problem just gets worse. It’s nice to have a place to go where they care about you. [The volunteers] are very nice here. They spend time with you.”
(return to top)
Testimonies from youth in Teen Haven
Nathanial, Teen Haven participant, shared his testimony at the 2006
 Annual Banquet:
Nathanial, right, is pictured with other student leaders in Teen Haven.
Hi, I’m Nathaniel and I’m from Lancaster Teen Haven. I’m a leader-in-training and a volunteer there also. I’m 14 years old, and I’m going to give you my testimony of what Jesus did in my life when I came to Teen Haven. But first I want to read this verse:
Psalm 27:10 ‘Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.’
I was 15 months old when I was taken away (from my mom) and put in the foster care system. I was three years old when I was adopted. I believed that my mom did not care about me because she gave me up. I didn’t understand that she did that for my own good. She knew that she couldn’t take care of me.
My mother adopted me. Wondering what to name me, God told her, “I want you to name him Nathaniel”, and he told her the meaning, which means gift of God. I guess being adopted started the whole plan that God had for me.
At the age of six I found out that I was adopted, which started anger and rebellion in me. I was very rude and very ignorant towards my parents. I didn’t respect them and I left my mother hurt and heart-broken because I didn’t know how to express my pain. At the age of 8 I accepted Christ, but I didn’t really understand what that really meant. So, I got into witchtcraft. I was really rebellious. People made fun of me, I was ignored, I was hurt and I was molested. So that started a lot of hurt and I didn’t trust anybody.
My mom sent me to Teen Haven camp for one week during the summer. When I was there, I didn’t want to talk to anyone. The staff were constantly asking me what my favorite sport was and other questions. I wanted to turn around and tell them to be quiet, but I couldn’t. They showed a lot of love, although they didn’t know me. I didn’t want to talk to them, I didn’t want to trust them. I thought that everybody was the same. And I thought that they were just out to hurt me like everyone else. I thought that they were going to come and go and that they would just be another person that I would remember—remember how they hurt me.
But God revealed to me that not everyone is out there to get me, not everyone is out there to hurt me, not everyone is out there to come one minute and then leave me. So, while I was at TH, God began to work in my heart. I started forgiving my real mother. God allowed me to realize that she couldn’t take care of me. And that she did the right thing instead of having an abortion. I stopped thinking that everyone was out to get me. I stopped starving myself. I stopped hurting other people. I stopped hurting myself. I learned how to forgive, and I forgave the person who hurt me really badly.
So that’s what God did to me. He took my heart that was broken, bruised, and he made it whole again.
(return to top)
Testimonies from our wonderful Volunteers!
Picture: As a retired pharmacist, Hal uses his skills in the Water Street Medical Clinic.
My name is Hal Skloff. My wife, Esse, and I started volunteering about 3 years ago. She does a lot of the paper work for the Food Services Department. As a retired pharmacist, I use the skills from my former career to serve here in the Water Street Clinic. I sort and catalog the donated medications that the Clinic receives.
I wanted to help people at a worthwhile organization, and working at the Water Street Rescue Mission Clinic gave me that opportunity.
I like the people I work with; we have a lot of fun together. I also enjoy being able to continue to use my pharmacist skills. And it’s very rewarding to see people being helped—and to be a part of it.
Since I’ve volunteered at the Water Street Rescue Mission Clinic, I’ve learned that there is a real need for the Mission and for the Clinic. I’ve also learned just how much volunteers are needed.
If you are looking for a very fulfilling experience, this is a great place to be! I would encourage anyone and everyone to come try it out!
(return to top)
Testimonies from Wonder Club
A Wonder Club Teacher said:
“Returning from a recess at the park, we walked past a cemetery, which triggered a conversation between a student and me about death and going to heaven. The child wanted to go to heaven, so I led her to the Lord while we walked.”
_________________
As told by a Wonder Club teacher:
To teach her young students the power of prayer, a teacher and her class pray for specific snacks. Earlier in the year, the class prayed for a watermelon, and one showed up shortly afterwards. Recently a child prayed for Coco Krispies. When the supply person made the next delivery, there was God’s answer: Coco Krispies – not even generic but name brand!
(return to top)
|
