December 15, 2007
Seasons greetings from The Shepherd's House to each of our faithful supporters.
What a journey this has been! As I look back over the last three years, I find myself wishing that I had kept a journal to have documented the journey. I have people tell me all the time that I should write a book about The Shepherd's House. It would truly be a story of God's amazing grace! As we begin the second month of being a 24 hour mission, I am still amazed at the miracles we are privileged to see each and every day. The 32 beds are full, and we are doing what we can to supply many more with shelter for these very cold nights.
As the days grow colder, the number of services provided also grows daily. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, warm clothing, shelter, bus tickets home, camping gear--the list is long. We are supplying an average of 75 to 100 services a day. Those who come through the doors seeking help include men, women, youth, and children. The needs are great, and God has been faithful in supplying the resources to meet these needs. A very special thank you to those of you who have opened your hearts and given financially to bless this ministry. Let me remind you that you are a special part of this mighty work of God!
On Sunday the mission is closed to the public. We are transporting, on average, about 30 men each Sunday to various churches. Sunday is family day at The Shepherd's House. The staff have been blessed to witness these men becoming a family. We are watching them learn to trust again, to care for each other, and to realize that they are loved. Men who have not felt any worth in years are beginning to understand that they are valuable. I am so blessed when I see a smile on the face of a man who I haven't seen smile before. God has been showing each of us, as staff, that these men are broken children, and that just as He loved the children when Jesus walked this earth, He loves them now.
I am so impressed by what I see God doing that many times each day I am left once again in complete awe of God. I have had many of those who come and take part in chapel tell me that what they are experiencing by serving in this mission has changed their lives. Chapel and dinner has become a very special time of fellowship as relationships are being established between those who serve and those being served. If you have any interest in being a part of this very special time, let us know. There are twelve churches involved with the mission now, and we are finding that once a church has started taking part in chapel, that they are wanting more than one night a month. Several are here two or three nights a month. We would love to see your church involved if it isn't already. Many of those who take part in chapel are also just dropping in to spend time here on their own. As we think of the blessing that these people who come for services are receiving, I am sure that there are many who come to serve who would agree that they are the ones receiving the biggest blessing.
As we see the Holidays approaching we are very aware that this time of the year is a really difficult time of the year for many of those that we serve. We see many of them struggling with the very real issue of depression. Our counseling load has increased greatly within the last month. Broken families, broken lives, broken hearts. To be able to hide from the pain of this reality throughout the year seems much easier the rest of the year, but when the holidays hit, it seems to be inescapable. We are trying to provide a home atmosphere at the mission where healing can take place. We believe in restoration, and we believe that each person who walks through our doors can be restored. As we listen to their stories, we are able to see where the brokenness began, and we are able to see where the healing needs to begin.
We have hired four new staff, and are still needing a couple more. While each of us is learning that our ability to multi-task is being fine-tuned, we are always in need of help. We now have a case manager which will be a great asset. He will be able to assess and help to manage the needs of each man in enabling him to get on his feet and move forward with his life. We have Purpose Driven Life studies on Tuesday and Thursday, addiction recovery group on Friday, Bible study Monday through Friday morning, chapel Monday through Saturday evening, many individual counseling sessions, and other studies and groups scheduled to start in January. Many of our guests have become employed since coming to stay, and many more are seeking employment. We are always impressed by the job skills that we find these men have, and they are wanting to put those skills to use. We get calls from people who need workers to do various jobs, and there are always those who are able to go and work for a day, a week, or longer if needed. If you have a job that you need help with, give the mission a call. The reports we get back from those who are supplying our guests with work are very positive.
The dental van started coming to the mission in November, and is coming once a month. What a blessing that has been. Dental needs are a great problem amongst the homeless population. This is an exciting partnership. We also now have medical teams working with us. We have been exceptionally blessed to have a very healthy population within the mission. There have been no health issues as to date, no colds, no flu, nothing requiring medical attention. That is a miracle in itself.
The thrift store has outgrown its present location and is in process of moving to a new larger location. The group home on Reed Lane is being transformed into the thrift store, and our offices will move to the present location of the thrift store. God has grown this ministry quickly.
We are still seeking God's will in acquiring the larger facility which would become our resident facility offering our long term program. The mission would then become an emergency shelter and triage facility. This has become an even more urgent need as we are having to turn away so many each night who need a home. The most heart wrenching part of this work is to have to tell those who do not have a bed that they must leave at 8:00 PM each night. We are aware of the conditions that we are sending them out to, and it is so hard to do. There are still great numbers of men, women, and even children who do not have a warm place to sleep at night. Our doors are open to the public from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and during those hours we have people come and find shelter for the day. We offer them what we can provide, but we are always aware that night is coming. There are literally no beds left in Bend, and we are in constant prayer for answers to this serious crisis within our city. Please join us in seeking God's will for this need, and remember those who have no home in your prayers.
The Shepherd's House would like to wish each of you a wonderful Christmas and a new year filled with God's abundant blessings.
Again, thank you!!!
In His Service,
Lynda Johnson, Executive Director
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