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I had started my day at the mission like any other day I volunteer, by greeting the mission staff in

the office. But this was to be no ordinary day. Sud-denly our chit chat was interrupted with “Do you want to see a miracle?” With that question began the unfolding of a wonderful redemptive story… a God story with God size miracles on display for all to see.

The first miracle of this redemption tale began while Tim Constuble was sitting in jail and decided to attend a Bible study. He found himself, like we all do, broken beyond human repair, needing a God who can bring new life to those who are dead in their trespasses. His denial of his mental illness and alcohol addiction had driven him far from his four children and left him incarcerated with felony charges and no hope. BUT GOD, burst through his spiritual darkness and redeemed him, then lov-ingly placed him in a church family and the Trans-formation Program at the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. In 2011, after completing two years in the program, the Tim that graduated was a different man than the one who had walked through the doors in 2009. The “New Tim” desired to serve God and continues to volunteer at the OUGM.

Early in 2012 Tim’s youngest son contacted him on Facebook. He had been a little boy, only two years old, the last time Tim had seen him. Now fifteen years had passed. After several chats they decided to see each other and Tim’s oldest son wanted to join them, too. The mission family rejoiced with Tim and arranged for his ticket to Oregon. He was thrilled. Every time Tim thought about seeing his boys it put a smile on his face. For many years he had longed for a day of reconciliation with his chil-dren. He knew that God could heal his family but would he? During his faith-filled moments, deep down in his heart, a little ember of hope smol-dered, but on darker days he dared not hope for that miracle. It seemed impossible. As their father he was fully aware of how he had failed his four kids. His daughter hadn’t spoken to him in five years and her parting words were “I never want to see you again!” His middle son made it clear he

wanted nothing to do with Tim either. But with the new contact from two of his sons, the flame of hope was fanned; God was doing a miracle in their relationships.

Tim had no way of knowing that even before he was to see his boys God would restore another of his children to him, his first born, his only daughter. That was the day when he had burst into the office and uttered, “Do you want to see a miracle?” Those words had sprung from the joy of having spoken to his daughter. Frightened and alone, she found herself homeless with four boys and needing a safe place from her husband. She had heard that Tim’s life had changed and that he could be found at OUGM. Not knowing where to turn, she decided to risk the chance of rejection one more time but hoped for a different outcome… her dad’s help. And he did help her. This was the second miracle of reconciliation with his children in a few weeks, and Tim’s faith was building. Maybe his family would be completely restored to him.

The time with his boys was a wonderful beginning to their renewed relationship. It had been sweet and filled with promise. Much to Tim’s delight, his son invited him back in August to meet his newest grandchild.

When Tim returned to Olympia, God had yet another miracle waiting for him. His son-in-law had noticed that he was a changed person. The old, angry, drunken Tim was no more, but a new calmer, healthier man had replaced the original Tim. During one of his worst phases, Tim had lived with his daughter and son-in-law; now the transformation in his life was apparent to all. Tim shared with his son-in-law that the “New Tim” was a creation formed from his relationship with God and the Transformation Program he had gone through at the Mission. Tim was honest with him and said joining the program was going to be hard and he wouldn’t like some of the issues he wouldhave to face but it was worth it. His son-in-law ered the program.

RESTORATIONGod’s restorative power in one man’s life

HOURS OF OPERATIONOffice Hours: M-F, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Hot Meals, M-F, 6 a.m., 12 noon, 5:30 p.m.Saturday Brunch, 10 a.m. to NoonSunday, 8 a.m. and Noon, Freedom Church, 9 a.m. Hot Showers, M-F, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

CONTACT INFORMATIONMission: (360) 709-9725Fax: (360) 570-8848Dental: (360) 943-6400Medical: (360) 357-6505Vision: (360) 709-9725

General: customerservice@ougm.orgDental: ougm@reachone.comWebsite: ougm.org | Facebook

Tours of the Mission are offered by appointment. Call 709.9725 to arrange a time.

A Word From Skip...

2011-2012 BOARDExecutive DirectorLoren “Skip” Steffen

Executive BoardCharles McReynolds - PresidentLarry Baker - Vice PresidentAndrew Christensen - TreasurerCindi McReynolds - Secretary

BoardMelanie HantzJack OlsonRobin Wadsworth

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In June, I had the honor of presiding over the Mission’s annual banquet and graduation ceremony for members of

the Life Transformation Programs. Two women, Esther and Susan, were ready to graduate and we also heard from three men who had graduated. Two of the men are now married and within the last few months both of their wives had given birth to their first children. Listening to them speak, I had to admit that I felt like a proud parent. Not that I would really know what that feels like since my wife and I decided not to have children, but I think it’s God’s way of giving me a crash course in parenthood.

And oh how I worry about them, despite the scriptural admonition that worry achieves nothing. And I pray a lot for them as well. Like children, at some point you

have to let them go with the understanding that the Mission is here for them if they are ever in need. That’s the hard part, sending them back to the

world. Because despite the fact that they have ex-perienced abuse, addiction, homelessness, physi-cal violence, abject poverty in the world – if they get their eyes off God they can get sucked back in so fast it just makes your head spin. Addiction is something I observe but don’t really understand.

The ability of a chemical or chemicals to make all your problems disappear and replace them with eu-

phoria or stupor – FOR AWHILE - is something I thank God daily He never allowed me to experience!! Because

quite honestly, I’m not sure I would have the will power, even with God’s help, to overcome such an addiction.

One and all, they are brave souls marching out to do battle with an unseen enemy and their past. We have done our best to arm them for the spiritual battle, but we can never stop praying for them, and we ask that you do likewise, daily!

Please don’t lose sight of the fact that changing lives; provid-ing people with hot meals, showers and laundry facilities; dental, vision and chronic disease medical care; and many other acts of kindness only happens because you support this work with your finances and your prayers. We, and all those whose lives we are able to impact, thank you from the bot-tom of our hearts!

Executive Director

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 17:8

S t r e e t M i n i s t r y

June Fiscal YTDMeals Served 6,001 63,662Bible Std. Attendance 150 2,597Chapel Attendance 2,800 27,611Counseling 30 394Decisions for Christ 4 54Showers 200 2,026Laundry 125 1,314Recovery Housing Days 360 3,600

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HOW YOU HELPED

Thank you to Belmont Enterprises, Inc. for helping

out the Mission with a “gently” used and greatly discounted box truck. Jack & Mary Jo Belmont, owners, came to the rescue (Jack is a former Mission board member).

The previous Mission box truck was laid to rest recently, when the engine gave its final rev. This no nonsense truck is 24 feet long with a hydraulic lift gate and comes with a Caterpil-lar diesel engine. Total weight is 24,000 pounds with 2,900 cubic feet of space – enough to house 1000 angels!

On its first day out, one of the graduates from the Mission’s Transformation program was moved from Olympia to the Gray’s Harbor area. The Mis-sion movers were able to move the family in one fell swoop! We are very grateful for this timely gift.

Jack handing over the truck’s license and title to the Mission!

THE KING’S KITCHENTo all the Beloved in Christ Jesus, Grace peace and love to all.

“Dear friends you are faithful in what you are doing for your brothers, even though they are strangers to you.” 3 John 1:5. It is with an overflowing heart that I am compelled to write this on your account. To bear witness to your love and faithfulness and to be partakers of Christ Jesus with you, to heal the sick, soothe the hurt, give sight to the blind, clothe the naked, and feed the hungry. This is the heart of Jesus and the counsel of God, Our Father who art in Heaven.

Just as the body of Christ has many members, so too does the Mis-sion have many members. From the Dental, Medical and Vision Clin-ics, to the Life Transformation and Street Ministry, together in the unity of the Spirit we make up the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. Each of the Mission’s ministries has its own needs, yet when you give through donations, volunteering, prayer, and finances you give to all. When one member is honored we are all honored, when one member suffers we all suffer. Beloved, it is by your giving that all the Mission’s needs are met. It is by your generosity that we thrive and are able to touch the lives of others.

Giving is more an attitude toward life than just an act of kindness. Giving people offer friendship easily. They are quick to encourage and console. They think of strangers only as friends whom they haven’t met yet. We have so many wonderful volunteers who em-body this way of life that Jesus exemplified. They give of themselves freely, living the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and you invited Me in.” In giving, one reflects God’s image - He who gave everything!

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 and 13:14 tell us, “Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times; having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” For God also reminds us “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

~ OUGM Kitchen

Recent donation presented by Evette Temple (center) of Wells Fargo Bank

Just a reminder: If you would like to be a part of the serving team during the holidays, please contact Cody Howard, Kitchen Manager, at 360.709.9725. Sign-ups for Thanksgiving start in September, and Christmas in October.

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June Fiscal YTDDental Visits 189 2,067Medical Visits 110 997Vision Visits 50 490

No-Fee Dental Clinic Benefit

No kidding, You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet until you have seen the Dental Benefit concert featuring, you

guessed it, our volunteer dental professionals and a host of their musical friends. Featuring Olympia’s beloved Jazz Senators directed by Gary Scott, the 16-member ensemble will set the stage with their unique sounds of jazz, rock and roll to soul, rounding out the evening with some hard-hitting Latin-beat music.

Jumping to front and center full of high energy is the Capitol City Stomp. Kandace Johnson and her team of high jumping, fancy foot workin’ dancers will have you up and trying your own moves in the aisles of the Washington Center (dance at your own risk). Just when you think you have the moves down, Debbi’s Dance returns to the stage with

the all-time favorite dance routine – Jail House Rock. Combined with outstanding vocalists and

a new blend of sound with our string performers from the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia, our dentists have a great evening prepared for you.

As always, the Mission’s dentists have some surprises of their own for their fans. Including the long awaited reprise of the Blues Brothers, star-ring Dr. Kern and Dr. Winter, with the ever popular dental dancers cho-reographed by Dorothy Joyner. Dr. Psaltis has prepared a special dental rendition of “Feelings”, which will surely bring the house down. You will just have to come and see what else they are going to rock the stage with!

There are hundreds of hours passionately put into plan-ning this event for the benefit of the Olympia Union Gos-pel Mission’s No-Fee Dental Clinic. Clinic manager Linda Barrett was reminiscing how just weeks before the clinic had opened in 2002 the Mission put on its first benefit concert with the choral group Breath of Aire. During the second season, Laurel Gonzalo stepped in to oversee the production, with the Jazz Senators, then directed by Norm Wallen, and vocalists Dr. Gunderson and Russian opera singer Nika in the spotlight during the evening event. The following year a number of our own dental volunteers from the community sought the stage to help continue to raise the much needed funding for the No-Fee Dental Clinic.

Today, we proudly present the 10th an-nual Olympia Union Gospel Mission’s No-Fee Dental Clinic concert Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet. Tickets are on sale at the Washington Center, call 360.753.8586 or visit the Olytix.org website. Get the best seats in the house early and be sure to tell your friends to attend the event with you.

• Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet • Saturday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.• Washington Center $10 - $25 plus Center surcharge• Olytix.org or 360.753.8586

Proceeds support the Olympia Union Gospel Mission’s No-Fee Dental Clinic. Thank you to our concert sponsors.

UNDERWRITING SPONSORConstruct, Inc.Heritage BankJerry Giddings

Barbara & Skip Steffen

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORBelmont Enterprises, Inc.

G.A. Wyman

SUPPORTING SPONSORCapital Heating & Cooling

Fiddlehead Marina, Joan & Bob WubbenaOlympia Federal Savings

Providence St. Peter HospitalTumwater Automotive

Tumwater Auto SpaWashington Dental Service Foundation

FRIEND

Black Hills ManagementCCI Solutions

Frost & Company, PSLaw Offices of Harold Carr

South Sound BankState Farm Insurance, Pete Mattich

Ken Valz

Life Transformation

If you are interested in concert sponsorship, please contact Kathleen Blanchette at 360.709.9725 for more information.

Posters and flyers of the concert are available. Please help us get the word out to the community about this event.

Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet!

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Susan EstherHaagenson Spare

Graduates

Restoring Hope, Transforming Lives

SHARE YOUR PASSION...The Mission was blessed to have plenty of help for the Graduation and Alumni event on June 2.

Our deep appreciation goes to Gwen Jones for sharing her God-given passion and talent for design. She so graciously planned and provided the decorations for the evening event. Simple and elegant

accented by the twinkling of light, just set the tone for the whole evening. We would encourage you to visit www.gwenscreations.com for your next special event.

Cinderella’s Closet has been so kind year-after-year to provide beautiful gowns for women at Genesis Acres. This year the girls all wore black gowns for the graduation event June 2.

You could tell at first glance that their countenances were lifted along with their spirits – smiles abounded.

The shop is a non-profit network of organizations with a passion to give back to the community by lending dresses to females of all ages for any special event.

Cinderella’s Closet is located in Lacey’s South Sound Center. You can visit them on Facebook.

Life Transformation

Highlights of the 2012 Spring Graduation

Photos by Doug Ford

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Once Patricia Ridge graduated from the Olympia Union Gospel Mission Transformation Program, God had work for her to do

that would lead her to the steps of the Capitol.

A recent graduate of South Puget Sound Community College, Patricia Ridge received her Associates in Applied Science and

Paralegal Studies. Last October her background and interest in the law making process inspired her to attend a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA - volunteer advocates for children in court) training where she mentioned that she would like to do lobbying. As it turns out, one of the CASA’s in training was a lob-byist. She got her connected to a few people, which led Patricia to becoming a member of the Washington State Parent Advocacy Committee. The committee is comprised of “veteran parents” and their allies - parents who successfully navigated the Child Protective Services system and were re-unified with their families.

Patricia testified five times on several bills relating to parents in the child welfare system this past legislative session. In the pic-ture, Patricia was at the bill signing for SB6315 relating to the Fair Tenant Screening Act.

As a result of her work, Patricia has teamed up with several people on the Thurston County Parent Advocacy Network and is actively looking for parents who have re-unitied with their children who would like to give back to help other parents going through the system. She is also looking into creating a non-profit and seeking funding for the program.

Life for Patricia has miraculously changed by God’s grace. She graduated from the Mission’s Transformation Program in the spring of 2011 and moved out on her own into the community. She lives in a lovely townhome with her two children. With a new life at 32 years of age, Patricia is looking forward to attending Ev-ergreen State College in the fall to work on a Bachelors of Science Degree. She says, “My goal is to be the next Erin Brockovich of the advocacy world and actually get paid!”

Follow-up…On May 31, 2012 Patricia was awarded the “Individual Advocate of the Year” by the Washington Low Income Housing Al-liance. By sharing her personal story, she was able to help elected officials understand the way that tenant screening issues intersect with the child welfare system, with the struggles of survivors of domestic violence, and more.

Congratulations Patricia!

GRADUATE BECOMES ADVOCATE

Thursday, November 8, at 7 p.m. Light Appetizers & Yummy Dessert Limited seating

Have you been to the Jacob Smith House in Lacey? To spice up the annual meeting, the staff and board of the Olympia Union Gospel Mission invite you to this civil war-era structure. Con-structed in 1859, the Jacob Smith House is the oldest residence in Lacey and one of the oldest homes in Thurston County. The evening will include testimonies of how God is using the Mission to reach the community of low income and homeless individuals for Christ. We hope you will join us in celebrating the work that is being accomplished.

Reserve your place at this annual event by calling 360.709.9725 and marking your calendar to attend Thursday, November 8, at 7 p.m.!

Jacob Smith House, 4500 Intelco Loop SE, Lacey

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The Mission Goes Into Christmas Mode!Yes, it was Christmas in July and we had a great time decorat-ing our tree in the dining hall with ornaments. As explained to the clients decorating the tree, each ornament represented an individual or a family that donated to the Mission that month. We are grateful to God for your generosity through the sum-mer when everyone is off on a break enjoying vacations, family reunions, and gardening, but homelessness never takes a break.

Over these past few months there has been a significant increase in the number of meals being served, so your recent support has helped ensure that no one is ever turned away from receiving a nutritious warm meal.

God Bless You!

Jacob Smith HouseOlympia Union Gospel MissionAnnual Meeting

Contact UsOUGM STAFF

AdministrationLOREN ‘SKIP’ STEFFEN, Executive Director skipsteffen@comcast.net | 360.709.9725, ext. 101LORI VANDERVATE, Office & Database Manager lori@ougm.org | 360.709.9725, ext. 102 VIOLET HOFMAN, Volunteer Coordinator violet@ougm.org | 360.709.9725, ext. 104KRINA ALLISON, Marketing & Communications krina@ougm.org | 360.709.9725, ext. 118KATHLEEN BLANCHETTE, Community Liaison kathleen@ougm.org | 360.709.9725, ext. 116

Street MinistryTIM LANGAN, Chaplain & Director of Facilities tim@ougm.org | 360.709.9725, ext. 103CODY HOWARD, Kitchen Manager cody@ougm.org | 360.709.9725, ext. 106JEROME JAEGER, Day Room Supervisor jerome@ougm.org | 360.709.9725, ext. 105DENNY BOBBERT, Evening Supervisor denny@ougm.org | 360.709.9725, ext. 105GLENN RAMOS, Hygiene Center & Donations Life Transformation ProgramPEGGY LANGAN, Men’s Life Transformation Director peggy@ougm.org | 360.709.9725, ext. 103MARLA ROOT, Women’s Life Transformation Director marla@ougm.org | 360.754.9351LAURIE ANDERSON, Women’s Counselor laurie@ougm.org | 360.754.9351MATT IHLER, Jeremiah House Supervisor Health ResourcesLINDA BARRETT , Dental Clinic Manager ougm@reachone.com | 360.943.6400, ext. 100SHELLEY CASE, TCDAN Coordinator shelley@ougm.org | 360.709.9725, ext. 117 MARISSA ALTAMIRANO, Medical Clinic Manager medical@ougm.org | 360.357.6505VIOLET HOFMAN, Vision Clinic Manager violet@ougm.org | 360.709.9725

OLYMPIA UNION GOSPEL MISSIONPO BOX 7668, Olympia WA 98507 413 Franklin St. NE, Olympia WA 98501

Mission - 360.709.9725 Dental - 360.943.6400Medical - 360.357.6505Vision - 360.709.9725

OUGM.org | Facebook

The Olympia Union Gospel Mission is a501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Alldonations are tax-deductible.

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God had more miracles in store for Tim. Recently, I saw Tim with his daughter. They both were all smiles as they bubbled over with news of how God had provided a place for her to live and work. She was going to church with her dad and for the first time in a long time she had hope. I rejoiced with them but that was not the last of the good news! With a beaming face Tim said, “My middle son just contacted me and we are talking again.”

1,2,3, and 4, yes you counted correctly all four of his children are now in contact with Tim. This family’s journey has just begun, and there will be bumps along the way and stops for new construction; but for the first time they are on God’s high-way, united as a family.

Now Tim takes care of his four grandsons three nights a week while his daughter works. He is investing in their lives and trying to show them Jesus by being a godly grandfather as well as a godly dad to his own children. Not only does he want to be a godly influence to them but he shared with me, “The best gift I can give my grandchil-dren is a sober, Christian Father.” So he continues to encourage his son-in-law on his journey to know God and be like Him.

Only God can perform such miracles of reconciliation in people’s lives and only He deserves the glory. The Olympia Union Gospel Mission believes God has a miracle in store for them too. God has given the Mission the vision of a bigger, new facility to assist more men and women like Tim to be reconciled to God and their families. It will be a place of healing where they will learn how to walk with God; serving Him and not their addictions. Consider partnering with us as we trust God for our miracle and we will all give Him the glory as we witness His redemptive, restorative, work in men and women’s lives.

~ Robin Wadsworth, Board Member

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lucy Reuter. I asked her how she first heard about the Mission and why she decided to become involved. Follow-

ing is her story:

“Well, let me tell you how I first heard about the Mission. In 1985, my husband and I went on a cruise to Alaska. Two ladies that we sat with at meals worked for the Union Gospel Mission in Pennsylvania. We were so impressed by these ladies and the work that they did, that we became involved after the cruise. I corresponded with the older lady for many years afterwards. That was a God incident.

When we moved to Lacey/Panorama, we met Etta Miller. I regularly collect socks and toiletries as well as donate to OUGM. You are doing great stuff and I like to be involved in Christian organizations.”

Kathleen Blanchette,Community Relations Liaison

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS!

Gods Resorative Power cont...

Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDOlympia, WA

Permit No. 624

IN HONOR OF...MaryAnn Truglio & Sydney Thorne, from Kathleen & Jim PerkinsShirley Hirzel, from Eleanor HammillSkip Steffen, from Nancy Riordan

IN MEMORY OF...Gertrude Thompson, from Gail WymanDon Bishopp, from Bishopp FamilyShirley Hirzel, from Eleanor Hammill & David CarlsonShirley Hirzel, from Audrey WhittingtonMitchell Warnick, from Debra WarnickHelen Ashe, from Beryl ThompsonGeorge Carle, from Grace FaarenBetty Ferriby, from Irma EngelquistAs of July 12, 2012

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7