Monday at the Mission
Emergency shelter Transitional Housing Distribution Center
People's City Mission Lincoln, Nebraska |
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Greetings!
So often in Church on Sunday morning we hear the minister announce the morning offering with the proclamation: "Remembering the words of our Lord Jesus, how He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35. And these words are always spoken with the intent to induce us to give more money to the Church...a worthy goal which I understand and appreciate!
But, sometimes my legal mind wanders off...and in defense of our guests here at the Mission, who are the recipients of your gifts...I posit that if it is more blessed to give than to receive, then there must be some blessing in receiving! This is the logical inference, else how could one be more blessed than the other? And then, it also follows, that it must be more difficult to be a Blessed Recipient than to be a Blessed Giver.
And in truth, it can be difficult to receive gifts. I know first hand as someone gave me a gift the other day. It was totally unexpected, something out of the blue! My first response was, "Oh, no!" I tried to give it back.
My instant rejection of that gift may result from an inherent sense of lack of worthiness or from my inability to be open to the generous love of another person. Whatever the reason, I failed to be a Blessed Recipient. I unintentionally insulted and rejected the expression of Love in which the gift was given.
It is hard for those of us who have a lot in life to learn to be gracious recipients of the gifts of others. We don't understand that the gift is given out of the giver's Love and not our of our deep need. A gift may seem to demean our independence or make us vulnerable by showing that we too have needs that we desire to have fulfilled. We may fear that the gift will deprive the giver of something we think he or she truly needs. It's very hard to be a Blessed Receiver. It's easier, much easier, to be a Blessed Giver.
You may think that this is nothing more than the musings of an attorney, over-thinking an issue! However, I work here at the Mission and so I understand how hard it can be to be a "blessed-by-inference" recipient of the love that you donors bestow on our guests.
The truth is that oth donors and recipients are blessed - and we thank you for your part in that equation!
With love and thanksgiving,
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| Cold Weather = More Guests |
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| During extreme weather there is an increased demand for our services. Last week when the temperatures hovered around zero, we had up to 117 men staying in the HIS Center (our emergency shelter for men.) Men who usually stay in cars, outside or under bridges came to us for shelter, food and cothing. As we only have 101 bunk beds, 16 men had to sleep on mattresses on the floor.
Our meal count averages around two meals per man per day. Some of the men are at work for one meal a day. Some men don't come into the shelter until 8:00 to 9:00 in the evening so they are not here for meals. Some prefer to sleep through breakfast!
These men have a great need for warm gloves and we always need undershirts, briefs and socks. If you are able to donate any of these items this week, they would be greatly appreciated.
In the Family Shelter, we are running about 115 guests with 7 families on the waiting list.
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| Volunteer Opportunities |
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The Mission rotates its personnel so that staff members gain a first-hand understanding of how the entire Mission works. Rebecca Weber and Nora Ragon are therefore changing jobs! 
Rebecca will be planning events such as the golf tournament, banquet, and Halloween food drive.
Nora will be working with volunteers. And Nora already has a special request. She is looking for 30 volunteers to work at the Pershing Center at 4 PM on Saturday, February 23. This is Dare to Share weekend.
We need volunteers to pack the food that the youth have collected into boxes for transport to our Distribution Center.
Then on Sunday, February 24, we need 15 to 20 volunteers to unpack the food at the Distribution Center. 
This is a nice opportunity for a group of friends
to engage in a service project. Call Nora for more
information or to volunteer. 475-1303. |
| 2008 HHS Poverty Guidelines...or the Federal Poverty Level |
New Guidelines Announced in the Federal Register on January 23
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The highlighted column in the center gives the Poverty Guidelines we use at the Distribution Center to qualify clients for our services. Our benchmark is 200% of the Poverty Guideline, but we do make allowances for individuals and families in special situations.
If you know of someone who needs Distribution Center help, please send them to our 21st and N Street location to sign up. We offer free clothing, household furnishings, furniture, diapers, personal care items and food to those in need. All of these items are donated by people just like you, with a heart for the poor. Thank you.
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| Keeping the Doors Open and the Lights On |
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| The monthly operating expenses for the Mission and Distribution Center average $200,000+ in cash plus in kind donations. As the Curtis Center fills, our expenses will increase.
In the early months of the year, cash donations do not cover our monthly operating expenses. Thank you to all of you who made cash donations in January and plan to donate in February. These are months when our services are greatly needed by the homeless and the impoverished in our community. Your generosity makes a difference in the lives of our clients and guests. Thank you!
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| A Gentle Heart |
Mental Illness in the HIS Center
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| Many of the homeless suffer from significant mental illness. Some estimate that as high as one third of the homeless population suffer from mental illness. This includes addicts who may carry a "dual diagnosis" of both mental illness and addiction.
It's no surprise that we have men who stay in the HIS Center or who spend their days in the Agape Cafe who are mentally ill. Last week I observed two men, both suffering from schizophrenia. Each was talking to himself and wandering in the Agape Cafe. One walked up to a group of men and tried to incite a confrontation. I watched and after a few seconds he walked away without any kind of fuss.
Todd Schmeeckle, the HIS Center manager, explained that the HIS Center men understand that some in their group have special needs and they intentionally avoid inciting them or getting into confrontations with them....even when their behavior is odd or irrational.
I admire our staff who act as role models for Christian behavior and attitudes. And I admire our guests who, though troubled and in desperate need themselves, demonstrate kindness and have a gentle heart for others who are even more troubled and suffer from mental illnesses. |
| Please join me in prayer. |
| Baby Casey was just released from the hospital,
Lydia Omondi's family is in danger in Kenya,
Two guests are in labor today! |
| Baby Casey is just three months old. Her cry is weak as she is still recovering from her open heart surgery, performed January 4. When Casey was released from the hospital, she and her mother came to the Mission. They have been here about one week.
Please join me in praying for Casey and her mother as work toward a new beginning. May the Lord bless their lives, comfort them in their distress, heal their hurts and give them hope for the days ahead.
Lydia Omondi's husband and daughters are in Suna, Kenya and they are not of the Kikuyu tribe. Therefore, they are in danger in the ethnic violence that  inflames this country.
Lydia's daughters are no longer able to attend school and Lydia's husband, Bradox, is not working. The family is staying in their home and living on dried beans and rice. Lydia's three year old daughter is particularly terrified and is unable to sleep at night.
Please join me in praying for Lydia's family and for Lydia, in her distress, as she helplessly watches the news and prays for the safety of her loved ones. We also pray for peace in Kenya and for an end to the killings.
We have two guests who are in the hospital and in labor: Janie and Jessica. Please join me in praying for them and the new lives they are bringing into the world this day. May these mothers feel the love of Jesus as they hold their newborns and may their lives be forever changed by His love.
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Barbara McCall, Director of Donor Development
People's City Mission
110 Q Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
402 475-1303 x 103 |
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