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Cover Article
Hope vs. Despair
He was 6' 3" tall and weighed a slender 180 pounds. He was on his fourth visit
with us at the Mission in a span of five months. I still have not been able to
break through some barrier that is up, one that is evidenced by facial
expressions, body language and more. I’ve memorized his first and last names,
hoping that when (if) I see him again, I can call him by name and perhaps make
some sort of crack in his 21-year-old armor. Dressed as young men his age often
do, and slouching along rather than walking, I conclude that his presentation at
job pursuits might go against him. Perhaps that is harsh judgment - he may “snap
to” and “look sharp,” and “come off well” in an interview in spite of how he
carries himself around the shelter.
 It
was a rainy Friday morning when I last encountered Brandon, and words I heard
him say as I passed the table where he sat conversing with others, pierced my
mind and heart. “It’s another Friday, it’s raining, and I still don’t have a
job.” The words themselves suggested discouragement, and the tone almost spoke
to me of despair. Days have passed since my accidental eavesdropping, and his
words have troubled me again and again. Those troubling thoughts usually land in
one of two general areas of concern: 1) why does this young man seem so hopeless
in the best country in the world for pulling oneself up by the bootstraps? and,
2) what more might we (at PRM) do to encourage him along the right path? “MEN
WHO HAVE NO HOPE” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
The reasons for his hopelessness might include his separation from family. So
often I have seen (and experienced) that when trials come, a strong voice from a
revered family member can turn the tide. This is one of the things that cause me
to miss my parents so much, and my father-in-law as well, each of whom could
give me help and/or sage counsel in difficult times. Brandon listed on his
intake card a local friend as his “nearest relative,” indicating the absence of
close family ties in his life.
 Another
underlying cause of his low spirits might be what I perceive as a “victim
mentality.” Granted, this evaluation borders on “judging,” and I certainly don’t
mean to be hard on him, but the impression came across that Brandon felt he
could not succeed, that the “deck was stacked against him.” It is difficult to
achieve when such an attitude keeps the goals set low, the level of expectation
less than it might otherwise be. We see this pretty often in our ministry
contacts.
I will mention in the last place what appears to be a
disdain for spiritual guidance as a contributing factor to Brandon’s
discouragement. If a man will trust Christ as Savior, he automatically gains a
huge family of believers! Many have found in the church the relationships they
could not find in blood relations. The first reason mentioned for discouragement
disappears when one enters the family of God. The second-mentioned cause also
loses its hold on a person when they discover that in Christ we are “victors,”
not “victims.” “ON HIM WE HAVE SET OUR HOPE” (2 Corinthians 1:10).
Then follows the question, “How can we step up our
efforts to help this young man?” Knowing that one cannot make a horse drink, but
only lead him to water, we still desire to see hope come into the eyes of one
who seems so hopeless. I have, therefore, determined to pray regularly for
Brandon, asking God for the opportunity to minister to him further. I will
personally engage him upon his return to our facility, more than I have in past
visits. I will endeavor to look past the appearance of the man and see the needs
of the heart and life. I will work to treat him the way I would want someone to
treat my son if that were the need. I will ask you to pray with me and for me,
and also for Brandon. God answers prayer, and He can help this young man,
perhaps through us. Maybe he can move from despair to hope! “I HOPE TO SEE YOU
SOON, AND WE WILL TALK FACE TO FACE” (3 John 14).
Superintendent's
Corner
Moms and Dads and Memories
Three holidays arrive close to each other this month and next, Mother’s Day,
Memorial Day, and Father’s Day. I find myself connecting them as I remember my
parents and all they meant in my life. My Father-in-law was the first to leave
for heaven, but he placed a profound imprint on my life while here. He provided
me many opportunities to preach, sharpening me all the while. He loved to keep
the bar just out of reach, pressing me to reach a little higher than my grasp.
Along with my Mother-in-law, he gave me the wonderful gift of my wife, making a
debt I could never fully repay.
Five years ago my Dad slipped away to heaven. Ever the strong man, he walked
into the Emergency Room, but he was not to walk out. He died as he lived,
quietly, surrounded by people who loved him and whose lives he had enriched by
his presence. Dad was steady, consistent, one might say he was constant. You
knew what to expect from him. He didn’t hold with people being lazy, and he was
himself a worker. Our family has many wonderful memories of our Father for
Father’s Day.
And then there was Mom - nobody was quite like Mom. From the young mother of
five active children to the gracious elderly lady with a brood of
great-grandchildren, her undying passion was for all the little ones to know
Jesus. She taught Sunday School nearly forever, and she was for many years
involved in Child Evangelism Fellowship. She worked to get AWANA Clubs started
in our church, and then she worked with the children there. No one knows how
many young women she mentored in the faith and in domestic life. The world is a
richer place because she lived here nearly 81 years before leaving for her
heavenly home.
I am a richer and better person because these folks touched my life. I hope that
in those of us so touched by them, their legacy continues in this world. As we
do the work God has for us, they live on through us. Concerning Abel of old, it
was said that, “He, being dead, yet speaketh.” I think that is certainly true of
Jim Lindley, as well as of Billy and Mary Poteat. Thanks, Lord, for these folks.
A Note From Alan
A Visit with Ricky
The story I will share with you today actually took place back in February.
Ricky, a 32 year old man, was staying here at the Mission. One morning after
chapel and breakfast, he stopped by and wanted to see me. He was very reserved
and quiet. He was not asking for extra days here at PRM, nor was he asking for
any sort of special treatment. He simply asked if I could take a couple of
minutes and pray for him.
 Because
he was clearly troubled, I asked him to share a little of his story so I would
better know how to pray for him. The details ran together as this overwhelmed
young man began to pour out his heart. He was a family man. He had been married
for 8 years and has 2 young daughters.
The story of his life progresses something like this... His father-in-law, to
whom he was very close, had passed away 6 months ago. This was a tremendous loss
as this father-in-law was a true father figure to him. Ricky, who has struggled
for several years with alcohol, began to drink to mask the pain he felt.
Ricky works as a landscaper/tree trimmer. Since January work has been very slow,
adding tremendous financial pressure to their family. Again, Ricky found himself
turning to alcohol to ease the pain. Certainly, this is a compounding problem –
there is a shortage of money to maintain the household, and now more and more of
that money is being spent on alcohol. As you might expect, his marriage began to
struggle. By the time he and I talked that morning, he had been separated from
his wife and daughters for several weeks. There was no doubt that this was the
hardest blow to him. As he spoke of his daughters and showed me pictures of
them, this proud father beamed. He wept as he described how empty life is
without their daily presence.
When Ricky is at work, he is constantly distracted by the thoughts of his family
and the many struggles which seem to have no end in sight. Ricky wants to be
able to deal with the stress of life without turning to alcohol. He desperately
wants his marriage to be saved and to see his daughters on a daily basis.
After Ricky and I prayed that morning he left the Mission, and I haven’t see him
since. We have no way to contact him to find out how he is doing. All we can do
for him is pray. That’s what I would ask from you as well... to pray for all men
like Ricky who are fighting life’s battles. We can never overemphasize the
importance of prayer as we seek to help the men of the Rescue Mission.
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