January 2008
Sparkling
snow greets us as the new year arrives, and so do freezing nights, and
many more people with urgent needs. Lack of shelter, loss of jobs,
illness with no insurance and no money to see a doctor, depression.
These are the things that the people who come through our doors are all
struggling with. Our staff keeps busy each day with counseling,
encouragement, and the many needs that each person has. The mission is
full, and we are turning people away every day. Not only are the
broken people who come through our doors hurting, but the staff faces
the grim reality that if we turn them away, there is literally no place
else for them to go but into the cold, and this causes each of us
heartbreak daily. As you have probably heard, two lives have been lost
in the last two weeks due to hypothermia. This causes much urgency in
the cause we so deeply believe in and press on with.
Even though
the daily struggles continue, God has shown us great favor over these
past few weeks. We have won a decision by the City of Bend to allow us
to have 10 emergency beds in place. After meeting with city officials
last week, we are going to be turning in the paper work to raise our
bed count from 32 to 60. This was a glorious meeting with city
officials, and actually the suggestion to file an amendment on the
existing number of beds was their idea. They are working with us so
graciously to find answers for those who have no home. I believe that
this is truly the hand of God caring for "the least of these."
Several
of our men have found employment, a few have saved enough money to get
their own residence and have moved on, and many are still seeking
work. On the other hand, there are those who have lost their work
because of the weather and lack of available work. It can be
frustrating for a man who has cleaned up his life, and is starting a
new way of living, to go out and fill out an application, only to be
turned down because of the choices he has made in his past. This is
when we really see them in need of strength that only God can provide,
and they are learning how to have real faith and trust. We are
transporting about 30 men every Sunday morning to various churches, and
at least that many are very involved in our morning Bible studies. As
I watch the men I am in awe of the work that God is doing in their
lives. I have never seen so many relationships develop, healing come,
and restoration begin to happen so quickly. We serve a great and
loving God, and that is evident every day at The Shepherd's House.
Our
thrift store quickly outgrew its present location, and we began to pray
for a new location. We committed to pray for two weeks and earnestly
seek God's direction, and almost two weeks to the day, we were supplied
with a great new facility. The owners shared with us that they too had
been praying for the right tenant, so it was a perfect fit. The new
location has a store on the front side which is right on 3rd street,
and a large house on the backside. This will enable us to move our
store to a lovely new building, and those in our group home will move
to the new house. It will help to combine these two to one location.
The present location of the thrift store will become our counseling
office and class room. We are very excited about this new blessing,
and work has already begun on the preparation of the store, and the
staff have already moved into their new home. Stay tuned for updates
on the opening, and keep us in your thoughts when it comes to
donations!
Another very exciting development is the plan to
put a recycling business into place which will both bring much needed
recurring income into the mission, and employ many of our residents.
We are working with a man who has generously offered to provide us with
a baler, and the logistics of an operation such as this. The work on
this has already started, and the plan is coming together as only a
plan of God's would. We will be baling cloth, cardboard, and cans. A
lot of research has gone into this, and there is great anticipation in
the men who are going to be involved in growing this business.
We
have just hired six new staff. These new staff include a desperately
needed assistant director & case manager, a project supervisor, two
new thrift store managers, one new floor staff, and one more night
staff. Each of our staff are part of this work for one reason, and
that is because God has called them to do this work. This is made
evident by the fact that they are highly qualified, and receive very
little compensation for their work. They are each remarkable in many
ways, and their faithfulness and service to this work is very inspiring
to all who have come to know them. The next time you are in the
mission or the thrift store, give them a pat on the back and tell them
thank you. They need to hear how much they are appreciated, and it is
good when words of praise comes from those who so faithfully support
this ministry.
We are taking twelve staff to a training
conference the end of this month. This will be a chance for new staff
to learn even more about who we are as missionaries within our city.
This conference will deal with strong addiction issues and how to break
bondages within those we serve.
Have a blessed 2008, and please
stop in and catch up with what God is doing at The Shepherd's House.
Also, please continue to partner with us in this work with your
support, which is greatly needed and appreciated. Thank You!
Lynda Johnson, Executive Director
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