Happy Anniversary!

Seven years ago to the HOUR, during a blizzard, Ken and I moved our meager belongings from a U-haul into a little apartment in Regina with the faith and vision to begin Regina RESCUE Mission.

Live to Ride Ride to Live

We toured a LOT of Harley stores on the way home and had a lot of fun reading maps, debating theology, laughing, eating, and just getting to know each other better.

Here is our postcard to the staff from the Harley Davidson Factory...

They have a brilliant marketing strategy... tour the factory for free, get excited about motorbikes (not very hard if your name is Jack Katzberg) get a free postcard AND a stamp to fill out in the gift shop. Not only will you buy more merchandise, but if you do mail your card, it's free advertising for them. I wonder if I could do that after giving a Mission tour...

Hello, everyone! We are waiting in line an hour - you would think this is Disneyland! Paula is quick to inform me that there are similarities! My board meeting for Rescue College starts with supper in about 4 hours.

I've been keeping tabs on dead animals - racoon, deer, cat, pheasant, other lart fowl, mystery disemboweled medium creature, skunk, and porcupine.

Katzbergs are renting a bike for a couple days. Ken is going to do a walking tour of downtown. We don't miss you yet. We love you!

Bye from Jack, Paula, Ken & Michelle

PS. Jack and Paula stayed in a jungle theme room!

Guest Blog: Paula Katzberg

Attending the City Mission World Association 6th World Conference in Kansas City with Ken, Michelle and Jack could probably be described as a life changing experience! I'm so pleased Michelle invited us to go.

Listening to presentations, praying and chatting one-on-one with delegates from the 22 countries in attendance gave an almost overwhelming sense of the history and variety of challenges they face and solutions and sacrifices they experience. It was also very humbling to hear what they are doing, often with so very little. After visiting a men's shelter consisting of huge dormitories full of bunk beds, I am so grateful for the facilities we have been blessed with.

As non-American delegates, Jack and I were hosted by a local resident the first afternoon of the conference. Our hostess, Joyce, coordinates the Learning Centre at a local mission, but had taken vacation leave so she could fully participate in the conference – one more example of the sacrifices people made to be there. We enjoyed a great lunch with her family, and got to know Samuel, from a mission in Bangalore, India.

Themes I observed at the conference:

1. We must not lose sight of the fact that it is only God's grace, and faith in Him that changes lives. We must not compromise our primary focus in order to fund the secondary goals of providing food, shelter, etc. Countries where we have traditionally sent missionaries now have stronger churches than we do. Many delegates expressed their appreciation for that heritage.

2. World-wide there is no food shortage, but less than 10% of the population have 80% of the wealth in Africa. Missions in wealthy countries need to partner with those in 2nd and 3rd world countries, sharing skills as well as resources. Our friend from Romania was so grateful for a Canadian couple who recently helped them set up a dairy farm, so they're now self-sufficient. A group of women in the Philippines with almost nothing is feeding and ministering to 4,500 children a week.

The conference wind-up was held in an ex-church, now just used for weddings and catering, where Samuel's father led the 150 delegates in an impromptu gospel-sing, which was very moving, especially as it was our last time together before we all headed home to different parts of God’s creation, but with many more friends than we had the previous week.

Paula Katzberg
Board of Directors
WARRM Treasurer

Highlight #2: Jessie

Today our journey takes us down to Africa. My second highlight was meeting my new friend, Jessie. We visited at the opening reception. I was helping him find a free rescue shirt in his size. Short sleeves were requested by my African and Indian friends. "It's HOT where we live," they said!

Jessie had brought some paintings done by the youth he works with in his mission. They are better than anything I could ever dream of painting, and a couple were especially interesting, because they showed the culture of where he lived. I decided to buy one as a way to contribute to his ministry, and to have framed for the staff lounge to remember to pray for world rescue missions.

Ken and Jessie got to talking, and Jessie has asked if we would take his son as a rescue college intern. While he is studying, he will look at ways to stay in the country. He has already completed college, but cannot find work in his field. In the meantime, Jessie would like him to experience full time ministry.

This is very exciting! We are having a hard time finding volunteers at the Mission, particularly, full time interns. Who would have thought to look in Africa??!!

Today's Email to our Directors:

Dear Board,

Have you read my blog lately?




You ought to go to http://www.reginarescuemission.org/blog to read more about the following:

1. demolition of 2076 Scarth Street.
2. donation of 100,001 put towards our Campus mortgage.
3. 8 minute segment played nationally on TV!

God bless,
Michelle

Welcome to the World!

Words cannot express the time we just had on our trip to Kansas City. Jack, Paula, Ken and I drove to a City Mission World Association Tri-Annual Conference. These are usually held outside of North America, with slim to none chance of us attending. However, it was hosted by our Association of Gospel Rescue Missions this year so the world came to us!

As you can see from the photo, men and women from every continent of the world: Africa, Europe, Australia, North and South America, Asia ... okay, not Antarctica!

I can now say I have prayed and dined and fellowshipped with new friends from Kenya, Pakitstan, Germany, Romania, Australia, England, Phillipines, Columbia, India, Jamaica and more.

Three highlights for me. I'll talk about one per day so you can get through it! I hope you'll join me this week for a trip around the world.

Today we visit Romania before the collapse of the Soviet Union:

This first highlight, also a highlight for Jack, was the Sunday morning service when our Romanian friend spoke of a man's experiences of suffering in prison through the communist regime.

As Jack says, it's a topic in which we don't dwell or partake.

Imagine being imprisoned and beaten regularly. When going for work detail, the last one in line always takes a beating. You decide to receive beatings on behalf of the elderly, who are usually last, by forcing and shoving them ahead. At mealtimes, on a regular basis, you give them your rations of food and go without. Now you have been caught for your generosity and put in solitary confinement.

The next morning I had the priviledge of praying with this great teacher. When I saw him sit at our table I was shocked. In my mind I was saying, "Wow, this man of God, sitting with me... I am humbled to pray with him."

Later that night, he came to me and thanked me for praying for missions in second and third world countries that are in need of protection and sponsorship from larger missions. In our conversation, I asked him, "Were you the man in prison?"

"I don't speak of such things. What I have suffered is nothing in comparison to others who have spoken out for Christ."

It was him.

We discussed the decline of the church in North America, and he said that even his own children were not as zealous in their faith since the collapse of communism.

I find it sad, yet challenging, that we do not live as suffering servants today. What will it take for us to pull up our bootstraps, recognize our vast wealth and blessing, and speak out for Christ?

I shudder to ponder.

"Do not be afraid of those who hate you. Their hate for you proves they will be destroyed. It proves you have life from God that lasts forever. 29 You are not only to put your trust in Him, but you are to suffer for Him also. 30 You know what the fight is like. Now it is time for you to have a part in it as I have." Philippians 1:28-30 (New Life Version)

We're on TV!

Today at staff meeting we all watched ourselves on TV.

To watch the 8 minute segment which aired nationally on
100 Huntley Street, follow the link to:

Thursday, October 12, 2006,
Program #7651.

CLICK HERE!

This is so exciting!!

A King and His Castle

Seven years later... it was my turn to surprise Ken yesterday afternoon. I asked him out for lunch.

"Where are we eating?"

"It's a surprise."

As I turned onto Scarth Street, I was reminded of my own reaction, seven years ago.

"I know where we're going. It's going to be a momentous day, isn't it?"

As you can imagine, it was a bittersweet moment.

If you look closely, you will see Ken's hand is touching the right hand railing of the stairs. They are the only thing left standing, attached to the rubble! That's because they were built by Orville Nichols the year we moved in!

I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll take my buldozer, and I'll blow your brick house in!

Mid winter, 1999. I found a newsletter which spoke of a group in Europe that had obtained a delapitated castle for their ministry. Two pictures: one of students chucking bed bug ridden mattresses out the castle window.

The other was a picture of the castle.

I cut the second picture out and taped it to my bathroom mirror. Ken and I began to pray that the Lord would give us a castle!

A week or so went by. Ken wanted to take me for a drive. It was dark, and nearly Christmas, so all the Christmas lights were in full twinkle. He drove us downtown and as we approached it, I said, "No. That can't be it."

There was our castle, 100 years old, beautifully gleaming in the winter's night, complete with a turret!

In the daytime, it wasn't nearly as glamourous, and now our archives have pictures of young people chucking bed bug ridden mattresses out the windows!

After two weeks gone to a conference, I am working a couple hours this morning to fill in for Len, so he can go to church. (The staff rotate donating their Sunday church time for Len, as he works our Weekend Supervisory Shift.)

A present was on my desk! How happy!!

I opened it up and found a brick. "NOOOOO..."

And then Mel's email:

Sometime this weekend, drive down 13th...a certain much loved building is gone. :( We watched it get demolished yesterday afternoon. It was roped off last week so I told Vicki to get the bank ladies to call us when the demolition started - they liked being in on the adventure! lol. It was quite the sight - took lots of pictures for you. And Vicki stole a brick for you. We may have to turn her in. :)

The note on the brick was signed by all the staff, and addressed to Ken and I. It was a sympathy card for the loss of our castle. It even had a sketch of the Craigdarroch Castle from Victoria, BC, on the front. Lovely. Really. I was so touched by this gift. It is bringing tears to my eyes to write this!

It is certainly the death of a dream.

But then, came Vicki's email to me:

$100,001.00!!!!!!

Praise Jesus!!!!!!

Yes, that's right!! An anonymous gift came in while we were on a trip. I got a VERY excited phone call from Mel and Vicki on my cell phone as we were travelling back on Friday. Ken, Jack, Paula and I could not believe our ears!

So, as one era passes, another unfolds. On the same day our "free" building is demolished, the next one is nearly paid for. Not even $20,000 left and the Campus is all ours. Only God can do this.

Are you hearing this?? THE SAME DAY!!

I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the couple that donated ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND ONE DOLLARS!! I don't even know if I am saying that right! I DO know that the Lord is pleased that HIS work can continue as the burden gets lifted from our shoulders.

Friday's word of the day was truly fitting:

ken \KEN\, noun:
1. Perception; understanding; knowledge.
2. The range of vision.
3. View; sight.

How wonderful when all the pieces fall together, things make sense and have purpose, and we have this contented sense of ken.

Thanks for the brick.

Thanksgiving Monday 2006

Note for Staff,

Melanie will be in charge of the Mission as Acting Executive Director in our absence. We will be available by cell phone for emergencies or questions. I plan to try to blog occasionally and check email daily.

Please respect Mel’s decisions, advice & authority, even when you don’t agree. It is very difficult to be a leader, even when you have a perfect team like we do!

Melanie will be on call for emergencies. This means you may have to shout at her in the middle of the night, or drive over and pour some cold water on her head to wake her up! Her contact info will be posted in the Intern’s office instead of mine.

Jack, Paula, Ken and I will return to work Monday, October 23rd, 2006. I’m not sure when we will be back in town yet, but will let you know. Len will be housesitting for us so I guess he’ll need to know when we’re back!

I will miss you all but expect to have a great time at the City Mission World Association Conference, Rescue College Advisory Board Meeting, and our District Meeting, too! Maybe we will be able to help start the Ethiopian Rescue Mission with Mesfin!

Au Revoir!
Michelle


“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
–Hebrews 13:17

Many thanks to our dinner sponsors:

Chris, Tasia, George, & Ilias Lygouriatis from Melrose Place North. According to Tasia, Chris can't stop raving about us! And let me tell you, the feeling is mutual! Thanks to Chris, the following people took part in our Thanksgiving Feast:

Executive Chef Adam Sperling of La Bodega
Canadian Progress Club of Regina Wascana
Bridgebrand
Chef Leo Pantol of Conexus Arts Centre
Conexus Credit Union
CJ. Katz
Jagnuts of Regina
Gary Spore
Regina Aboriginal Kin Club
Regina Multicultural Council

And a special thank you to:

Gideons
Multicultural Council of SaskatchewanMusic Man Ken Rodenbush
Weyburn Free Methodist Church
WARRM
RRM Board of Directors
RRM Staff
RRM LifeChange Alumni

Family happy to prepare dinner for others

Family happy to prepare dinner for others
Pamela Cowan, The Leader-Post
Published: Saturday, October 07, 2006

The members of the Lygouriatis family believe they're blessed to be able to feed 1,000 hungry Reginans this Thanksgiving.

Last year, seven-year-old George Lygouriatis served bread and scooped mashed potatoes on to plates for 600 hungry Reginans who lined up for a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by the Regina Rescue Mission.

He'll work again today.

"I was very surprised to see so many poor people and it made me feel kind of sad," George said. "I'm a very lucky kid to have what I have right now and I feel very good about helping people that I don't know."

His father, Chris Lygouriatis, owner of Melrose Place Family Restaurant on north Albert, said it's important George and his two siblings meet kids who aren't as fortunate as they are.

"It's a blessing for us to be helping," said Chris.

George and his cousins will be among 80 volunteers helping serve Thanksgiving dinner today.

Chris believes that cooking a 50-turkey dinner with all the trimmings is one way to give back to the community that has been so good to them.

"We're trying to help our fellow citizens as much as we can and the only way to express our thanksgiving is by giving a freshly made turkey dinner that we can afford to create and we can afford to donate," Chris said.

Preparations for today's meal -- it starts at noon at the Albert Scott Community Centre -- began with the roasting of 50 18-pound turkeys at the Northgate Bakery's massive oven earlier this week.

After homemade mushroom soup and Caesar salad, more than 1,000 pounds of mashed spuds will accompany stuffing, cranberries and turkey gravy in the four-course dinner that culminates with a special dessert.

"We delivered an invitation to every home in North Central by hand," said Michelle Porter, the Regina Rescue Mission's associate founding director.

"For a lot of them it will be their only Thanksgiving dinner."

Porter hopes that North Central residents follow the scheduled dinner times on their invitations so they don't all come at once and face a long wait.

In conjunction with community partners, the mission holds three holiday dinners a year.

"The fact the dinners have been growing so much tells me that they're necessary," Porter said. "I think that word is spreading among people in North Central who need a helping hand and we're here to help."

Besides feeding the poor, the mission's campus on Elphinstone Street provides housing for up to a year for men, women and children with various addictions as well as those who are mentally ill.

The mission's Halifax Street facility provides 12 beds to men who can stay up to seven nights for free.

"During that seven days, we assess them and help them to get a permanent housing situation," Porter said.

In the next 12 to 18 months, the mission hopes to expand when it relocates its Halifax Street facility to a 30-suite apartment block.

As Christmas nears, Porter hopes that Reginans remember the mission "in their prayers, in their finances and in their donations of food."

WARRM meeting tonight!! If you are a woman and want to tour our new Shelter, please come to our Campus at 3535-8th Ave and we'll be taking a field trip together downtown! See you at 7:00!

ZZZzzz...

I went to a seminar today. It was Module II of supervising people. I came back to work at 4:00 to finish up the day and found out a lot of staff are still sick. Two of them are home, and two of them are out with the residents delivering 6000 invitations to our Thanksgiving banquet to the poor.

Melanie and Vicki are sick, too, but without the luxury of going home. SOMEONE'S gotta man the place! Their inventive solution?

Take a nap!

That's right. Each of them, in half hour shifts, took a nap.

I wonder what my instructor (from Worker's Compensation, yet!) would say about that?

Later, I was playing Scrabble with Melanie (NOT on duty!) and she said, "I can't believe I took a nap on the job."

I replied, "I can't believe you still have a job."

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Took a much needed day off yesterday after working two 70+ hour weeks in a row. I represented the Mission on Sunday at a city-Wide prayer service of Christian Unity sponsored by the Regina Council of Churches Sunday night. It was very poorly attended. The choir and ministerial representation were more in number than the congregants.

One of the ladies sitting across from me had our RESCUE pin on! She belongs to an Evangelical Lutheran Church in the city, here, and said the poor attendance was quite typical of mainline denominations these days.

Jesus said narrow is the way and few are they that find it. (Matt 7:14)

I just hope more young people start finding it.

The service was prepared by a committee of Christians in Ireland, and spoke of repentance and reconciliation. The welcoming reflection was pertinant to the work of RESCUE.

As in many countries, a strong spiritual and missionary culture developed in Ireland, but the country also has a long and painful history. Policical and religious aims and ambitions have torn communities apart and caused hurt on all sides. God has been present in the midst of the pain and has brought healing to many of the physical, psychological, and spiritual wounds inflicted. Christians in Ireland have been able to cetre their Christian belief on these words of Jesus: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." (Matt 18:20)

We too in our Canadian context know the pain of social conflict, racism and the violence of poverty. God calls Christians to come together in love and forgiveness. The experience of Christ on the cross calls Christians to reach out and to forgive. We are called to find a way forward, mindful of the woundedness in our midst and confident in the promise of forgiveness and reconciliation through Christ.

The service ended with the Irish hymn, Be Thou My Vision.

A lovely prayer that God would be our everything:

• our vision,
• our battle-shield,
• our sword,
• our shelter,
• our power,
• our inheritance,
• our victory.

That's pretty much everything, don't you agree?
Is Jesus YOUR everything, in word and in deed?

Complicated

Now I know why Starbucks coffee costs so much. This morning a lady beside me ordered a "grande extra shot pumpkin spice soy latte with an extra pump of flavour no whip." I laughed. She glared. I said, "Sorry."

I also couldn't resist buying a new mug. I have a weakness for large Starbucks mugs, even though I prefer Tim Horton's coffee. Usually. Today, I suppose because it's the second weekend I have worked right through, I had a craving for STRONG coffee. Mmmm.