newsletter

SEPT

EMB

ER 2

015

Gripping Grace: How Tenacity Breaks Homelessness

Former Mission guest Rick Rutter will share

his story of tenacity at Water Street’s

Annual Dinner September 24, 2015.

On a crisp fall day, Rick Rutter checked in at Water Street Mission. He had walked out on his wife and young son 16 months earlier to live a life on the streets, but guilt had become a heavy load. “I was at the end of everything,” Rick said.

Although he didn’t want to wear the label of ‘homeless’, the Mission was right where God wanted him. “I saw Jesus lived out in the lives of the staff and

Continued on page 2

Continued from page 1

volunteers, and I saw something different,” Rick said.A month later, he surrendered his life to Christ.

That was 22 years ago. As Rick has been faithful to God, God has been faithful to him, gently restoring his life. Today, Rick is the Executive Director of the Southern New Hampshire Rescue Mission, the father of eight and has been happily married for 17 years.

We invite you to personally hear Rick’s story of tenacity at this year’s Annual Dinner on September 24 at 6:30 p.m. at Calvary Church’s Banquet Hall. Join us in celebrating 110 years of ministry! There is no cost to attend, but a reservation is needed to secure your seat by September 16 at wsm.org/annual-dinner or by calling Sheila at (717) 358-2062. •

The 110 Challenge

To celebrate 110 years of ministry, we’re looking for 110 new monthly givers and 110 new prayer partners.

• Your monthly gift of $10, $20 or even$50 will help fund new beginnings for men, women and families. For more information or to sign up today, please use the enclosed envelope or call Keith at (717) 358-2010.

• Join our team of 600+ prayer partners on the exciting journey of praying for restoration. Every month you’ll receive a Prayer Calendar by mail. If you prefer email, you'll receive our monthly eMessenger with the Prayer Calendar. To sign up, please use the enclosed envelope or call Sharon at (717) 358-2028.

Thank You Annual Dinner Silver Sponsors:

Let the Little Children Come to Me

Two thousand years ago Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,” (Matthew 19:14, NIV). As we offer pre-kindergarten and kindergarten education through our Wonder Club Early Learning Center to children whose families are living in poverty, how can we do it in a way that offers them the best possible education while giving them an opportunity to meet Jesus? How can we put that opportunity easily within reach, so as not to hinder them?

For this season of ministry, those questions have led us to two new partnerships. We’ll kick off the school year in a new host church, In the Light Ministries.

Located on the Southeast side of Lancaster City, the church is in close proximity to families who would benefit most from our program. Many of our students will now be able to walk to school, which means less stress for families who have limited transportation and are working multiple jobs.

If they can walk to school, they could also walk to church on a Sunday morning. “It’s a great opportunity for our students and their families to have a home church,” said Jen de Jesus, Director of Wonder Club.

Our second new partnership is with Lancaster County Christian School. “We have a quality program, but we’re not an expert in education,” explained Jack Crowley, Water Street President. “We’re excited for a partner who aligns with us from a spiritual and ministry perspective and can raise our level of education.”

The partnership will also offer an easier transition for families who want to continue in Christian education after Wonder Club.

School starts September 9th, 2015, and we covet your prayers as we make final preparations. Pray, too, that children will come to Jesus. “We’ll never know if we’re planting a seed or turning on a light for the whole family,” Jen said. •

Cope SaltOregon DairySimon Lever

High CompaniesRobert H. Ranck, Inc. Willow Valley

Moving DayJuly 1st couldn’t come fast enough for Mark and Kim.

Moving day was when they would no longer live under the label ‘homeless’. It had been 18 months since medical challenges and lost wages caused the married couple to lose their home and sense of security. “When we came to Water Street I was embarrassed,” explained Mark. “I felt hopeless.”

“Our lives felt like scrambled eggs. Everything was out of control,” describes Kim.

In their time of need, our staff and volunteers provided the structure and services needed to allow God to restore their lives and their faith. The couple was connected to

our partner, Tabor Community Services, and walked through the steps of the Rapid Re-Housing Program.

“Our goal is to make the housing process client-driven,” explains Ann Linkey, Tabor Community Services Division Manager. “We encourage clients to play an active role and understand basics like budgeting and paying bills.”

Mark reflects, “God has a plan. We don’t always know what it is. Sometimes I wonder if we were not brought to Water Street for a reason.” Settled in their new home, Mark and Kim hope to one day pay it forward to others who travel the same path. •

For Mark and Kim, their season of homelessness

has ended. Pray for continued forward motion

and a tenacious faith in God.

A New Partnership and New OpportunityCommunityAid (communityaid.net), a 501c3 nonprofit organization, will be

opening a new thrift store in Lancaster this Fall. We're excited to announce that we have agreed to be one of their program partners.

This relationship, in turn, presents a new partnership opportunity for us. When your business or church hosts a CommunityAid clothing collection bin to benefit Water Street, the donated clothing in the bins is removed several times each week and sold in the Lancaster CommunityAid thrift store. Based on the weight of the clothing in the bins, we are awarded a quarterly cash donation. In addition, we receive free clothing vouchers for our guests which can be used in the CommunityAid thrift store.

This partnership will allow us to continue to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in our local community. Clothing donations will continue to be accepted and distributed at Water Street.

To get more information on how you can help benefit the local community and Water Street, call Keith at (717) 358-2010 to host a CommunityAid clothing bin at your business, or call Maria at (717) 538-5815 to host a CommunityAid clothing bin at your church. •

Note from Jack

In my years at Water Street, I’ve had the privilege to watch so many of our guests demonstrate “tenacity”, including Rick, Kim and Mark. It always inspires me to see someone persevering and holding tight to their dreams in spite of their circumstances and temporary setbacks. The spirit of tenacity is so critical in order for individuals experiencing homelessness to have victory.

What I’ve also realized through these years is that we can never outdo God’s tenacity. His hopes and dreams for us far exceed our own, and his willingness to never give up on us is humbling. Romans 5:8 says, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” No matter our mistakes or bad choices, He pursues us, offering His love and forgiveness. As we trust in Him, He provides the strength we need to tenaciously pursue the new life He offers. •

YOU are Needed to Reach 110!

Tenacity: With your help, we can continue to share Jesus’s message of hope and restoration with everyone who comes through our doors. Please consider helping us reach our goal of 110 new prayer partners and 110 new monthly givers. Or send a gift of any amount today.

•Use the enclosed envelope•Call Sharon at 358-2028•Visit wsm.org/donate

Maximize Satisfaction from Your AssetsAre you looking to minimize taxes and maximize your monetary gain and overall satisfaction from your assets? Would you like to increase your giving and save money for you and your family? Call me (Tim Farrell, Director of Stewardship) at (717) 358-2025 today.

Jack CrowleyPresident of Water Street Mission

2015

Event CalendarAnnual DinnerCelebrating 110 YearsThursday, Sept 24, 2015Calvary Church Banquet HallRSVP by September 16 atwsm.org/annual-dinner or contact@wsm.org.

Clay ShootFriday, October 9, 2015Palmyra Sportsmen’s AssociationFor more details, contact Tim at tfarrell@wsm.org or (717) 358-2025.

Rescue Mission Food DriveNov 1 – Dec 23, 2015Learn how you can help at RescueMissionFoodDrive.com.210 South Prince Street • PO Box 7267 • Lancaster, PA 17604

(717) 393-7709 • wsm.org • facebook.com/waterstreetministries

15WSM09

Thank you for your faithful giving! We expected to end our financial year on June 30th in the red, but we actually finished in the black. We are so thankful for each of you, your heart for the homeless and hungry, and most importantly, God’s faithful provision.

As you have generously gifted the ministry, God has been rich in mercy, starting hundreds of men, women and families on a path of restoration. Thank you for playing a key role in yet another year of the exciting work of rescue and renewal! •

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

4,341medical and dental

visits provided

113,000 meals served

1,620 people received

safe shelter

July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015: