 |
Meet Deanna
Deanna Brown is a tough woman-- a recovering alcoholic and a survivor of child abuse and domestic violence, she’s survived her share of hardships. A little over three years ago, Deanna lost everything to alcoholism—her home, her job, her son and even her nursing license. She has spent time in several recovery programs, come to the Mission multiple times, and turned to family for help. She has also stumbled into relapses, an abusive relationship and more struggles than an ordinary person might be able to handle. Despite physical and emotional abuse and addictions, Deanna has found strength and encouragement in God, and she spends much of her time now sharing that encouragement with others.
The first time Deanna came to the People’s City Mission, she was given a bible to read. It was a source of comfort, but Deanna doesn’t claim to have experienced anything life-altering at that time.
“It was just what I did,” she said. “I read it every day with the bible study until I went to Fresh Start [treatment program}. Then I just stopped reading it.”
When Deanna came back to the Mission after another relapse, she began to read her bible again.
“This inkling just got me to read the bible,” she said. Opening her bible and bible study again for the first time, she happened to open it to exactly where she had stopped a year before.
“It seemed to be like a sign from God,” she said. “Like, ‘you better read the bible, or you need to read this,’ so I’ve been reading it ever since.”
Deanna isn’t afraid to ask questions, either. Her list of people she goes to with questions about what she’s reading stretches into the double digits.
“It’s weird how much my life has changed because of reading the bible,” she said. “It’s been awesome, what has happened.”
As a nurse, Deanna’s favorite part of her job was helping people. Now, she continues to seek out ways to help others.
“I pray every day for God to be with me, and to help me help people,” she said. This often means spending long hours talking things out with friends, and Deanna values the opportunity to help put their minds at ease. Her confidence and trust in God has inspired those around her—her strength is in her commitment to trusting God to provide for her.
“If God’s going to take care of a sparrow,” she said, “he’s going to take care of you, too.”
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
This Christmas: Starry Nights, Presented by Lincoln Benefit Life - an Allstate Company
This December 1–4, the People's City Mission will bring the Lincoln community the first ever Starry Nights Christmas Tree Festival and Gala. Professionally designed Christmas trees will be on display during the festival portion of the event, which will also feature fun activities for children and families. On December 4th, an elegant evening Gala will provide guests the opportunity to enjoy refreshments and heavy hors d'oeuvres as they mingle among the Festival trees, which will be sold in live and silent auctions. This will be an evening full of beauty and elegance.
The Mission is looking for your help in making Starry Nights an event to remember. You can donate unwanted used or new items to help us make Starry Nights even more spectacular. We are looking for new white lights in stands of 100 or more, new or used globe ornaments, vintage or antique ornaments that can be altered or repurposed, silver ornaments, batting, boxes to wrap, and large or outdoor size ornament displays.
Visit starrynightslincoln.org for more information.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Fright Hunger Halloween Food Drive 2011
Our annual Halloween food drive is returning, running now through October 30th. Last year, we worked with DECA, FBLA and Student Council groups from Lincoln High, Southwest, Southeast High Schools and Lux middle school to hold a competitive food drive in their schools. The results were unprecedented, over 600 students participated, collecting more than 27,000 pounds of food.
This year, we are asking ALL area high school, middle school and church youth groups to consider participating in the Fright Hunger Food Drive. The need in Lincoln continues to increase, so does the need for food supplies at People’s City Mission. This year we will give out over 1.3 million pounds of food at our Homeless Prevention Center, where we serve over 8,000 Lincoln children. The Fright Hunger Food Drive is one way the community can help raise food to feed those in need.
You can help out with the food drive by donating through your church or school group, or encouraging students to register teams to participate. Teams of up to twenty students can register by clicking the registration link on the Fright Hunger Facebook page. The winning team will win a prize package from KFRX and star in a Time Warner commercial that will air on ESPN, MTV and other channels.
|
|
