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Superintendents Corner

Note From Alan

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“Why Do We Do What We Do?"

The question of motivations is often an interesting one. What makes a mother rise before the sun, work throughout the day, and be the last family member to fall into bed at night? Why does she do what she does? What makes a father forego the pleasures of a weekend of golf or fishing so his wife can have a break from the wearying routine of her week? Why does he do what he does?

What makes Wayne or Alan, John or Danny arrive at the kitchen before the sun is up to light the griddle and start breakfast for Mission residents? Perhaps the fact that somewhere between 30 and 50 hungry men will emerge from our chapel a little later, anxious to enjoy a hearty breakfast has something to do with it. People’s Needs are certainly one thing that stimulate us to action. It seems that when God saves us, He builds into us the truth of this text from 1 John 3:17, "But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" That certainly is applicable to the staff and volunteers who serve at the Rescue Mission.

Another driving force in our lives comes from the homes in which we are raised. In my case (Rev. Poteat), while not affluent, the home of my rearing was very benevolent, even generous. We took in a mother and three children for several months, when the father was temporarily out of the picture. Dad gardened (or nearly "farmed") all the land he could, and a good bit of what he raised was shared with others. Mom took interest in a deceased lady’s daughter (even though Mom had five children of her own) and taught her a great deal about homemaking. How could I come from such a caring, giving environment and not be sensitive to God’s call to Rescue Mission work?! Parental example clearly helps shape our lives.

Over 20 years ago I made a trip to Baltimore to receive a bequest on behalf of the Mission. The lady in the attorney’s office said, "I just love animals, too; what kind of animals do you rescue?" I think my reply was, "The two-footed kind - our ministry is actually with people." She wasn’t impressed. God’s conversation with Jonah suggested that if Jonah could get worked up about a plant, couldn’t God have compassion on a city full of people? I would say here that if people can be so concerned about animals, isn’t it even more compelling that we be concerned about people, made in the image of God, eternal souls that will spend eternity in heaven or hell?! Certainly, compassion for people should drive us to serve God by serving them. I remember Jesus saying, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat."

As you may have read in our articles over the years, we thrill at the "random encounters" God provides us with people who have been helped through the Rescue Mission ministry. When a letter, card, or email comes in from a former client, thanking us for helping them through a rough spot, we are urged forward in the effort. As we experienced this summer, parents seeking the same wonderful camping adventure for their children that they enjoyed a generation ago is wonderful affirmation of the success of that ministry. That drives us to pour ourselves into the effort again next year. Paul told the Thessalonians that they were his "hope," his "joy," his "crown of rejoicing." It may be said that successes in the work encourage us to do what we do.

While we do find motivation for serving in Mission work because of people’s needs, parental example, compassion, and successes, there are two more things that perhaps stand above all the rest. The first is God’s call and command. Even on a day when compassion is low, parental example is hard to recall, successes seem too few and far between, and people’s needs don’t cry out so loudly, we must never forget that God has called us to this ministry and commanded that we be faithful. The great commission and the greatest commandment are yet in place. The Virginia Peninsula is part of the "world" God sent us into to evangelize. We view the people who seek help at the Mission as the objects of the words of Christ (Luke 10:27), Paul (Galatians 5:14), and James (2:8), when they said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." We must not take lightly God’s call to "preach the Gospel to every creature." Nor must we fail to obey the command to show our love for God in part by loving our neighbor.

We as God’s people will please Him most by obeying Him best. Thank Him for all the other motivations to serve, but focus mostly on the God’s command and God’s call. God will be praised, people will be helped, and we will be blessed. That is a winning combination for all.

Superintendent's Corner

My Cup Runneth Over

On a recent Thursday, my cell phone rang, and the caller-ID showed a number I did not recognize. How thrilling it was to answer the call and find a young friend on the other end of the line. I wrote about “David” for the July newsletter, the young man who returned home with his parents to South Carolina. It was David calling me, and the news was everything I would hope for in such a situation.

David indicated that he was working a steady job, saving money to go to culinary school, getting along well with his parents, and regularly attending church! What a joy to hear these good things going on in his life, especially when just a few months ago, his life was pretty much upside down, without any apparent direction for the future.

The day after David’s call, Donte phoned from Baltimore. He had met the Lord at the Mission just about a year ago (summer, 2008), having come into our shelter from a fractured relationship. Here for 95 days he learned from God’s Word, enjoyed fellowship with brothers in Christ, and saw others growing through their own struggles. After leaving the Mission, he found his way back home, and in his own words, is “doing okay and going to church.” He added, “I just called to pay my respects and see how things are at the Mission.”

Donte’s encouraging message just added to my already full “cup of blessings,” so that I could truly say with the Psalmist, “my cup runneth over.”

A Note From Alan

One More Camp Story