On the outside, Don was living the American Dream. He had opened his first pizza shop with a generous donation from his soon-to-be father-in-law. That gift helped to start his entrepreneurial adventure, and launched seven restaurants. Don married his childhood sweetheart and together they purchased their dream house.

Then came the next greatest moment of his life, the birth of their first child. All of these achievements happened fast and in near perfect succession.

“In my life there was no moderation. I was 100% in what I did,” Don said. “I think that’s why gambling took me down…”

On September 20, 2012, Don walked into Water Street Mission

having lost everything. Now on the other side of his

past and moving toward a new lifestyle, Don reflects on his journey. The one thing he held onto was his desire to change. “I turned to God instead of people,” he said. “In 25 years of being double-minded, I learned

Continued on page 2

Celebrating Renewed Hope

newsletter

The one thing he held onto was his desire to change.

“I turned to God instead of people.”

– Don S.

Jun

e 2

014

journey to physical and spiritual recovery. Recently, he accepted a job offer and is now employed making pizza at a restaurant in downtown Lancaster. He has found a rich community of fellowship at Calvary Chapel. Don also gathered a group of friends, from the Mission, together for bible studies at his church. Don

has made major accomplishments over the months spent at Water Street. However, he is the first to admit that his hope is no longer set in material gain or successes. His hope is in God’s strength and renewal! •Watch Don’s interview at:wsm.org/videos ►

Continued from page 1

that it might be scary to walk with God, but all other methods I tried left me fearful and I knew the ultimate outcome wouldn’t be good.”

Today he has a deeper sense of hope than ever before, which took root after a challenging

Hope Found In Truth

To Know Me

As my life unfoldsTo my stories untoldThe space of darkness becomes lighter.

No matter how many times I must cry, it helps me to say goodbye.

Goodbye to my secret life:No more Shhhhhh!No more be quietNo more holding it inThe cry gives me the voice that saysI can win.

The deeper I go within my soulThe more I seeThe light that was given to me

The light that shines in my mind’s eyeCreates a path that becomes a light unto my feet

No matter how hard things may seemThat if I just believe that stand of faithThings are just as they are to be

Dare to be openSee what you can’t see

This is how I get to know me

Fran E.

On May 2nd Fran spoke to an audience about celebrating life and all the positive changes she’s experienced while at Water Street. The title of her speech was “Celebrate” because that’s exactly what Fran is doing in this season of renewal. At Water

Street, Fran focused on a few life skills courses and took a computer class to become more efficient with Microsoft Office. This enabled her to get a part-time job as a customer service representative. She is continuing to look for full-time work where

her computer proficiency can be used.

Beyond life skills and office skills, Fran found writing to be a beautiful way to express her success as she redefines her life in Christ. She wrote a poem expressing her walk in faith. •

A new Song of Hope

Craig attended Berkley College of Music to pursue his passion for composing and producing songs. Shortly after beginning his music career, Craig’s life was a cadence of highs and lows. Craig battled with alcohol addiction, which eventually led to unemployment and an eviction notice. He arrived at Water Street homeless and hungry for help. Craig said he realized it was time to make a choice to turn his life around.

Today, after a year at the mission, Craig is a new man. He received the comprehensive support he needed to fight his addiction, strengthen his business skills, and regain a

sense of spiritual stability. “I took a business course online at the Water Street computer center and now I’m taking a course to help me start a business. I’d like to start a website where clients can come and get customized music for commercials,” Craig said as he talks about his future. He sees Lancaster as a great place for artists to get a fresh start, so his plan is to jump back into producing songs. He has already produced 13 original tracks while getting re-grounded at Water Street.

Without the help and guidance from the mission, Craig says he would be in a totally different

ron K.What was the most helpful thing you learned while at Water Street?

“The teachings and the workings of the mission gave me a purpose in life.” •Watch Ron’s interview at:wsm.org/videos ►

Bismar B.What is the biggest area of change that you’ve experienced while at Water Street?

“I am learning to be a Christian man, to be the man God asks men to be.” •Watch Bismar’s interview at:wsm.org/videos ►

Tim s.How has your relationship with God changed?

“It has become more intimate. I wake up in the morning with a mind set that God will speak to me and it’s just my job to listen and see where He leads me.” •Watch Tim’s interview at:wsm.org/videos ►

On May 2nd friends and family celebrated the successful changes made by a dozen men and women who are now transitioning out of Water Street. Ron, Bismar and Tim are three of them…congratulations!

Hope Found at Water Street

place in life. “I think Water Street is a wonderful asset that other counties don’t have…this is a really important thing and it’s changed my life for sure.” •Watch Craig’s interview at:wsm.org/videos ►

Craig C.

A Message from ChaszBy Charles “Chasz” Parker

President, Water Street Ministries

This season we are celebrating hope and renewal in this edition of the Messenger. Before this went to print, I read over Don’s story on page one, I was reminded of the reasons I went into this field of work over 27 of years ago. Over the years I have learned there are many similarities within the human journey. One common theme connects each of us; we strive toward something bigger and better.

We need to pause and ask ourselves by what motivation are

The challenges presented by not finishing high school didn’t catch up with Kimberley until decades later.

Kimberley says God definitely brought her to the end of herself in order to build her back up again. “Think of this as your mission,” Kimberly says as she talks about why she was brought here. While at Water Street she qualified for financial assistance to get a hip replacement (which, was keeping her from working as

we driven toward “bigger and better”? For Don it used to be a celebration of self-success, and today he’s motivated by God’s definition of success.

Being rooted in God’s truth and love enables us to live a completely renewed life to glorify His kingdom…not ours. Through Biblical teachings and a holistic approach to healing, lives are changing here at Water Street. •

a waitress). While in recovery, Kimberley worked on her GED, and got a part-time job as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Today she is just steps away from moving into her own apartment. Congratulations, Kimberley, on obtaining your GED!•

to the needy of Lancaster County. Thank you for donating 400 pounds of roast beef and ham, plus delicious sides and decadent desserts. Without donations and volunteers from our community we wouldn’t have been able to serve on this level. Thank you! •

About Water Street Ministries

For over 100 years, Water Street Ministries has sought to change one life at a time. We provide practical expressions of God’s love in several ways:

• Providing rescue and renewal for homelessmen, women and children through Water Street Mission

• Providing healthcare for the homelessthrough Water Street Health Services

• Equipping teens in our city throughTeen Haven

• Educating young children throughWonder Club

210 South Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603393-7709 • contact@wsm.org • wsm.org

easter Dinner updateWe celebrated Easter at the

Mission by serving over 450 meals

A new Start

Because of you, people like Don have reasons to celebrate a new life through God at Water Street. As we move into summer, we are experiencing an unforeseen shortfall in funding and food. Due to this, we need to raise $533,790 by June 30th.

To continue funding life change, make a donation today:

•use the enclosed envelope

•Call Sue at 358-2031

•Visit wsm.org/donate

Planned GivingPlanned Giving offers you valuable benefits, such as income and tax savings while ensuring your legacy changes the life of a man, woman, or child living in poverty. To learn more about how you can include Water Street Ministries in your will and leave a charitable legacy call Tim at 358-2025 or go online to wsmlegacy.org.