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Cover Article
“In the Garden a...Tomb” - John 19:41
The month of April brings together some great themes, particularly the principle
of “sowing and reaping,” along with thoughts of “the resurrection.” It is, after
all, the season of gardening on the one hand, and, on the other hand, in 2009,
“Resurrection Sunday” comes on April 12th.. I must confess that gardening is not
a personal passion for me, though I enjoy the fruits of gardening as often as
occasion permits. I often say that “I like to cultivate friends, and let the
friends cultivate the gardens.” Expounding thoughts about the resurrection,
however, is indeed one of my passions.
 Interestingly, Paul used the commonly-known practice of sowing and reaping to
illustrate certain aspects of the resurrection (notice 1 Corinthians 15:42 -
44). These two themes merge also in thoughts about my earthly father, a great
gardener. In his last days, when we all had urged Dad to trim the size of his
agricultural efforts, he insisted on using as much soil as was available to him
to grow food for his family and friends. He loved to plant and sow seeds into
the soil and watch God’s miracle of life take place. Five years ago in March,
Dad went to be with the Lord, and we now await the resurrection for our glad
reunion with him.
While this newsletter is being printed, Barbara and I will be with a group of 23
folks in the Holy Land of Israel. One of the highlights of such a trip is a
visit on the last touring day to Gordon’s Calvary and the Garden Tomb. These
sites, located just outside the Damascus Gate in the north wall of the Old City,
hold a special significance for the Christian believer. It was at Calvary (from
the Latin for “Golgotha”) that Jesus offered Himself as the sacrifice for the
sins of the race of Adam. He was buried, and then He rose from the dead on
Sunday morning. Gardening and the resurrection just seem to keep appearing
together - Christ was resurrected from a tomb in a garden!
 Can we take the metaphor off in a little different direction, please? When you
and I sow the seed of the gospel, and when God waters it with the convicting
power of the Holy Spirit, and when a sinner then trusts Jesus as their personal
Savior, they are born again! Spiritual life springs up where death (because of
sin) had reigned. Such a person then is assured that one day they shall be
resurrected from an earthly grave by Him Who is the “firstfruits of them that
slept.”
Here at the Rescue Mission we have the glorious opportunity of sowing (with
groups) and planting (with individuals) the life-changing message of Christ ever
so often. Never a day goes by that someone is not exposed to God’s truth from
His Word. The faithful support of so many friends is like having the garden
filled with workers! People pray, cook, serve, sing, preach, testify, give, and
so much more - and all these things are used of God to produce a harvest of
souls, changed lives, restored families, and the like. We feel so blessed to be
a part of that process, and we thank you for your part, as well. Let’s keep
gardening until the final harvest day, and then we shall go home together to be
with Christ forever.
Superintendent's
Corner
Alan, Happy 10th Anniversary
Having just returned from Israel, so many thoughts flood my
mind about which I wold love to write and share. As always, I will run out of
space before I finish the thoughts - much like having too much sermon left at
the end of the hour! Having trained in Rescue Mission work under my
father-in-law, I have many vivid mental pictures that serve as a backdrop for
the present time. Rev. Lindley (Barbara’s dad) would tell me how when he went
home at night in his early years at the Mission, his mind would often stay
downtown. There wasn’t much comfort, he would share, in “leaving the Mission in
the hands of the town drunk.” I can’t imagine how difficult that must have been.
My most recent trip home from the Mission wasn’t just for the
evening, it was to go across the ocean and visit the land of Israel for ten
days! Also, glad to say, the Mission was in such competent hands in my absence
that, while I prayed for them daily, I did not feel the need for anxiety at any
time. The reasons are simple - good people are in place to handle the day-to-day
affairs of the ministry. In addition to the always-ready-to-help Board of
Directors, our staff is simply terrific!
At this time ten years ago, I was praying for a “Joshua” to
prepare to lead the ministry when I am gone. At the same time, God was working
in the heart of my son-in-law, Alan, to move toward vocational Christian
ministry. Our Board of Directors offered him a position with the Mission, and
the rest is an unfolding story of succession in ministry, celebrating ten years
on April 12. It continues to be a joy to see him grow in the Lord and in his
decision-making ability. The ministry’s future is in his and God’s good hands.
John, Eddie, Ronnie, Alan H., Danny, and Wayne each stepped
up to the tasks as well. The team that God has assembled looks like a patchwork
quilt - people who are so different in their personalities and gifts. But when
you are seven time zones away, that quilt can keep you nice and warm, without
worries about how things are back at home. “Toda la El,” Hebrew for “Thank God!”
A Note From Alan
A Gracious Guest
 It was a normal morning here at PRM. Chapel was over. Our program men, having
finished their breakfast, were congregating outside at the van to go to the
thrift store for the day. Our transient guests were finishing up their breakfast
and were trickling out of the building. Some of them were stopping by the front
window to ask for a few extra days, a clothing voucher, or a pair of gloves to
help fight off the bitter cold of that early March morning.
I sat in my office across from a gentleman who had checked into the Mission the
night before. He was in his early fifties and wore a heavy, gray beard. The
bushy beard stood in sharp contrast to his shiny, bald head. The conversation
with him was pleasant and uneventful. He was well-spoken and listened as I went
over the items that we share with all first-time guests.
Not being familiar with the Peninsula, I provided a small map to help him locate
the major roads and municipal buildings that many of our residents utilize. He
would be looking for work over the course of his 10 days at the Rescue Mission.
I went on to explain that once he became employed, we would be willing to extend
his time at the Mission until he received his first full paycheck.
His next statement caught me off guard. Instead of the usual complaints we
receive claiming our stays are too short, this man said, “You mean you’re going
to let me stay longer than I’m already scheduled for? I thought you were already
letting me stay a long time.”
His gracious attitude was a tremendous encouragement to me. Sadly, we encounter
many men who think they deserve to be taken care of by others. According to
them, we rarely treat them well enough or let them stay long enough.
There was nothing earth-shattering about my time with this gentleman. He neither
asked for nor demanded anything. Rather, he was grateful for being taken in and
treated with dignity and kindness.
It is our ongoing prayer that our residents will see Christ’s love in what’s
done for them here at PRM. Thank you for enabling us to serve them.
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