Dear Friends of the Mission,
With the ground finally thawed from winter, I am excited to share that construction on our long-awaited parking lot is underway! It has been two years in the making, and we are grateful to finally see it begin. This lot will give our staff, volunteers, and visitors a much-needed place to park. Please pray with us as construction continues.
Meanwhile, on any given day, the Mission is a hive of activity. Here’s a glimpse of today. At 6:15 AM, residents Steve, Brady, and Richard came down to start the coffee and prepare breakfast, which they served at 7:15. At 8:00, Chaplain Steve led chapel. Afterward, we gathered for our daily staff devotions – a time to begin the day with Scripture and prayer for one another, for our residents, for our friends and supporters such as you, and for the needs of the Mission.
After that, everyone headed to their assignments in the store, kitchen, laundry room, counseling offices, learning lab, and administrative offices. Carfare, medications, and supplies were distributed, and counseling sessions got underway. Some residents continued their job search, others cleaned the facilities or worked in the thrift shop, and some headed out to appointments. I stopped by our Lighthouse Thrift Shop to meet an HVAC technician about an AC unit that needs replacing before summer. One counselor met with a new gentleman for intake, while another followed up with a resident who had a difficult night but has returned and is ready to move forward. Colbert, our truck driver, took care of hauling our weekly trash to the dump in the morning, then spent the afternoon picking up donations. This evening, as I write this, men are gathering for recovery meetings, and others are attending sewing club. And that’s just part of the day.
In the midst of all this, God is at work. Men are finding new life and second chances in the Lord. They are rebuilding relationships, enjoying the new friendships they are making at the Mission, figuring out next steps, and working toward steady jobs and a place to call home. The light of Jesus is bringing hope and direction where it once felt hard to see a way forward.
Your support helps make all of this possible. Thank you for helping us share God’s love in word and deed with those He sends our way.
Grace and peace,
Heather L. Rice, D.Min.
Executive Director
The team celebrating with James and Jeffrey at their graduation from the New Life Program