Dear Friends,

With spring approaching, I remind myself that I will soon see green buds all around me. Daffodils will pop up, tulips will emerge, and that thought brings me joy. Right now, it feels far away. It’s been such a long, cold winter! But I’ve seen winter turn into spring before – 46 times, to be exact. God uses these seasons to remind us of His steady, unchanging faithfulness. He’s done it before. He will do it again. Spring will come, and God will keep on working.

This spring marks the 20th one we’ve experienced at the Mission since the arson that destroyed our building on February 25, 2006. That was a difficult winter, but the Lord, in His faithfulness, has truly raised us up from the ashes. So many stories of grace, redemption, and new life have been written over these past 20 years. God raised up friends like you to come alongside us for cleanup, rebuilding, and the reopening of our residential program 2 years and 9 months later.

I still remember November 25, 2008, the day of our reopening. Our nearly 100-year-old dorm building had been completely renovated inside with new systems, drywall, kitchen, furnishings, and more. Everything was fresh and ready. As we sat down for the first meal served within our walls in 2 years and 9 months, an incoming resident named Vincent, who had stayed with us before the fire, said something to the effect of, “I don’t really care about the new paint and furniture and all that. I came back because the Mission is family, and I know I can get myself together here.” Vincent’s words have stayed with me ever since. We want to be known more for being a genuine family that shares Christ’s love than for being a pretty building.

We recently got a glimpse of that last month when Whaley, a New Life Program graduate, stopped by to say hello. He wanted to come in person because February 13th marked the 26th anniversary of the day he entered our program in 2000. He still remembers the exact date and thanked the Lord for using the Mission to save his life. It was a powerful reminder that the seeds planted while a man is here can continue bearing fruit for decades to come.

We’d love to have you join us to celebrate that fruit and see what God is doing now at our Afternoon of Celebration on April 18th at 2:00 PM in Willow Grove (invitation enclosed). Thank you for your continued partnership – we could not do this without you. May your joy bloom like the flowers under the warmth of the Lord’s smile this spring.

Grateful for you,

Heather L. Rice, D.Min.
Executive Director

Graduate Whaley stops by to say hi to Heather and Marcia