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Cover Article
A Tale of Two Men in One City
Not quite two years apart, the stories of two residents of
the Peninsula Rescue Mission connected. Jerry, pictured here, arrived in Newport
News in mid-November, 2006. He came from South Carolina to find work in the
Shipyard. His job-search was successful, but he didn’t have the resources for
lodging and food until he got his first paycheck. Sadly, his first night was
spent out in the elements - he simply didn’t know where to go!
A co-worker in the Shipyard told him about the shelter at the
Rescue Mission, and on Thursday, November 16, Jerry checked in at the Mission. A
shower and clean clothes, a nutritional and tasty meal, a good night’s sleep on
clean sheets in a warm bed, and Jerry’s next day of work was much better.
He stayed with us eight nights until he got his first payday,
and then he was gone. This happens often - God leads men in need to our door, we
help them, and they move on with life. We never hear from most of them again, a
sad thing for us, but a fact of ministry life here at PRM. It has been different
with Jerry, however, for he has been showing up regularly at the Mission with
donations ever since. On one of his recent visits, I happened to see him and we
had a nice chat. His remarks included this, “You guys helped me out when I was
in need, and now I am trying to return the favor.”
The same week saw Calvin enter the Mission. O, my! Did we
ever get off to a bad start! Having lost all his identification when his vehicle
was stolen, Calvin was having a hard time getting a “warrant check” from the
police (something we require from men who have no identification). He was
justifiably frustrated, but he was improperly venting those frustrations on our
man at the desk.
I invited Calvin outside to sit with me on the front bench,
where he could “cool off” (in the sun?). In a few minutes he was calmed down in
his formerly ruffled spirit. He saw that we were not the enemy, and that we
really wanted to help him. In fact, we were able to order a copy of his school
transcript and a birth certificate to help him obtain a state-issued picture ID.
Without being asked to do so, he stopped by the desk and apologized to Ronnie
for “going off” on him. What a blessing that was.
Superintendent's
Corner
Seeing God At Work
One of my mentors said along the way
that once I saw God at work, I would never again be satisfied with anything
less. He spoke the truth! A recent extended encounter with an individual gave
evidence of the work of God in a man’s life. He came into the Mission in late
July, a man slightly older than myself (a few months). Thirteen years of
incarceration had taken a toll on his nerves, and the nature of his crime meant
that life would never be easy for him again.
The morning after his first night at PRM I found him standing
in the dining hall about 10:00, looking quite lost. I asked if I might help him,
and he replied with a question, “Where do I go for the next chapel service?”
When I told him there were no more services that day, and reminded him of the
schedule of activities we had given him, he broke into tears. “I just don’t want
to do anything wrong and get kicked out,” he wept aloud.
My heart went out to him, and we sat down for a chat. I tried
to allay his fears and calm his clearly troubled soul. He warmed up after a
while, and I think he understood that we wanted to help him in every way we
could. I told him I would talk to his probation officer and that between us I
was sure we could help him. His situation led me to extend him more than the
usual amount of time at the Mission.
With all our best efforts, it seemed no doors were opening
for him. When it was time to put our newsletter together for mailing, we asked
him and another man to help for a couple of days. As is our custom, we added two
days to their stay for each day of assistance. It was during the time that he
was in the Mission working with the mail that a call came into the desk about a
job for him! He was thrilled, and so were we. Things are now beginning to fall
into place for him, and we know without doubt that God is doing it all.
What a thrill to see a life coming together after sin has
blown it apart, to see a man find his way in the dark as God lights his path. We
rejoice that we are seeing God at work, and we’ll never settle for less.
Banquet Announcement
Eternal Decisions 2008
You will soon receive your personal invitation to our
Anniversary Appreciation Banquet. This is one of our favorite nights of the
year. We enjoy visiting, although briefly, with many of our friends whom we
rarely see other than at the banquet. We get to share a nice meal together, tell
you about things that have been going on at the Mission, and introduce you to
our Board and staff.
Shortly after the banquet, our nation will have its
presidential election, a most important
decision-making time. Our banquet program this year
will feature Decisions
- wishing to capture the spirit of the season. We hope you will put October 24
on your calendar as a night to join us at Liberty Baptist Church, Hampton. We
will take your reservations for the banquet beginning Thursday, September 11,
and concluding Thursday, October 9. Plan now, and call then.
See you at the Banquet!
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