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Superintendents Corner

Note From Alan

Archived Newsletters

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A Quarter-Century of Thanksgiving

When the founder and then-director of the Peninsula Rescue Mission, Rev. Jim Lindley, asked me in the Spring of 1973 to join the staff there, I had no idea what an adventure lay before me! Two years full-time in a support role, learning the ropes, meeting pastors and church leaders, networking for the Mission in the community, helping build the first camp facility in New Kent County, and much more! The Lord led my family then to Windsor, VA, and Chesapeake, VA, to serve in churches in those communities. During those several years, I worked a day each week at the Mission, mostly on special projects.

Rev. Lindley went into the hospital on a Sunday in late August, 1983, for some tests. That afternoon we visited him, and at one point, he asked others to leave the room, requesting that I stay for a moment. He expressed uncertainty about the outcome of this hospital stay, and then he said something I’ll never forget. "If something happens to me, I’d like to think that you would come back and take care of the Mission." This was the second request from him that would shape the direction of my life. Six days later, he was in heaven, and sixty days later my family was back in Newport News at the Peninsula Rescue Mission.

I am thankful for God’s guidance and provision for 25 years, but especially in those early days. There were tight budgets and "slim pickings" for awhile, but we never were late paying a bill, and we never missed a meal - at home or at the Mission! We watched God take us from a deficit situation to being able to build a new building in 1988 to house our thrift shop and industrial work - paid in full upon completion! A few years later we paid cash for a warehouse in Hampton’s Copeland Park, a building without which we could not handle many things that people donate to us. In July, 2000, we dedicated the Lindley Building, which houses our clothing and grocery distribution centers on the first floor, while providing lodging for sixteen men on the second floor. This wonderful building was completely paid for when we moved in! The story of God’s provision could go on, but other reasons for gratitude await to be shared.

I am thankful for the staff that God has assembled. In 1983 it was Lena Lindley, Steve Papa, and myself. Lena is retired, Papa is in heaven five years now, and our workforce has grown to eight full-time and four part-time staff. Six of these are products of the Mission ministry; four are members of our family, and two are from a local church that supports the Mission faithfully. We are not perfect, but we are useable to God. We are "earthen vessels" (2 Corinthians 4:7), but we are grateful to be "chosen vessels" (Acts 9:15).

I am thankful for our Board of Directors. Over the last quarter-century we have seen many new faces on that Board. Many have gone on to heaven, others have stepped aside in retirement. These godly men have been a source of strength for me in more ways than they will ever know. Their wisdom has led us away from perilous paths, and into paths that helped people, grew the ministry, and glorified God. Their presence is a source of protection for me as a leader, in that I can defer to them when something just too difficult for me to handle comes along. They have worked many long hours on numerous projects that have benefitted the Mission.

I am thankful for a family of supporters that have stood beside us in ministry, sometimes seeing us through hard times, enabling us to expand our outreach in the community, reach people in need for the cause of our Lord Jesus Christ. Churches, classes, mission groups, clubs, civic organizations, businesses, families, and individuals have joined hands with us on and around the Peninsula. They (you) make financial donations, lift us up in prayer, bring meals, conduct chapel services, work at Camp Open Arms, help in the Ladies’ Auxiliary, wash vehicles, sort clothes, clean windows, and do a hundred other things that lighten our load and strengthen our hands in ministry. There will be stars in many crowns in heaven because people came to our aid.

I am thankful, finally, that God brought me here in 1973, that he kept me here part time from 1975 until 1983, and that at Jim’s death, allowed me the privilege of serving Him here full-time for the last 25 years. Someone asked me many years ago, "Why do you bury yourself here in this inner-city work?" I rather like to think that I was planted, not buried, and that by the grace of God I have been privileged to "bloom where I was planted." I cannot imagine having been anywhere else all these years. What a joy, and the joy continues each day that God allows me to serve Him here. I am truly thankful!

Superintendent's Corner

We Need Your Help

This is information for you to use as two items in the SupCorn column space; if it needs to spill over, perhaps it could displace "needs":

On November 24, we will fill 175 baskets for needy families. For those baskets we need the following:

We also are running short on boxes with lids, the type that hold 10 reams of paper. If you have any you could share with us, that would be such a help! We need donated items on site by Wednesday, November 19. If things come later, we can still use them, but this is the best date.

NEXT MONTH - DECEMBER!

On Thursday, December 11, our Ladies Auxiliary will meet to make Christmas gift bags for the Mission residents. Then, on Monday, December 15, we will prepare shopping bags of new gift items for children from infants to 18 years of age. The following are gift ideas for those who would like to shop for someone in need:

socks, work gloves, candy, stocking caps, handkerchiefs, underwear, belts, disposable razors, deodorant, baseball caps

clothes, toys (fun & educational), sporting goods, MP3 players, candy, Bibles

Perhaps your family, or your class, or your civic group, or your office, or any other folks you might be associated with would like to help with these worthy projects. Call us if you need more information.

A Note From Alant

Giving Thanks

I don’t usually involve my sons in my articles, but I thought it might be fun to give it a try. By the way my sons are Joshua (9 ½ - he just passed his half-birthday and is quick to remind everyone of that fact!), James (6), and Joseph (4). They were asked to tell me what they were thankful for in regards to several different things. Here are a few of their responses (direct quotes):

What are you thankful for in regards to your home?
Joshua: “Our blankets, my warm bed, and our food.”
James: “Our puppies, lots of room in our house to have fun, and a loving dad who takes care of us” (Joseph adds, “Hey Dad, that’s you!!”)
Joseph: “Our TV, our van, our trampoline, my bed, my (stuffed) animals, and my blankets.”
What are you thankful for in regards to your church?
Joshua: “My friends, teachers, the music - it’s fun, AWANA, and Mrs. Tina who leads the children’s choir.”
James: “My new class (1st grade Sunday School), lots of friends my age, and I like the people that sing in the choir.”
Joseph: “My friends, my Emmie (his best little friend - they are so cute!!), Pastor Billy and his singing, chairs to sit in, and toys to play with.”
What are you thankful for in regards to your family?
Joshua: “My brothers, my loving dad, and my mom who teaches us school, plays with us, and lets us buy toys sometimes.”
James: “A loving dad that takes care of us, 2 brothers that are really fun, and our mom who cooks for us.”
Joseph: “My mom who, when I ask her if she’ll do a puzzle with me and then play a game with me, she says ‘Okay.’ Oh, and my puppies!”
What are you thankful for in regards to God?
Joshua: “That Jesus died on the cross and then rose from the grave which gave Him victory over sin.”
James: “Our God is powerful, He helps us when we need Him, and if a big storm comes, He covers us so we’re safe.”
Joseph: “For Jesus coming to save us, and if you want to tell Him something... that’s fine.”

I am thankful for my three sons and for Faith, who finds great delight in being a wife and a mother. I am thankful for a God Who loves us and offers redemption to us. I am thankful to each of you who partners with us in the ministry of the Rescue Mission.
Happy Thanksgiving!!