FCC Gives to the Harbour House Endowment Fund

FCC gives back to the community
Trevor Newell
The Leader-Post

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) handed out more than $140,000 as part of the federal Crown corporation's new Regina Spirit Fund, which provides financial assistance to charities and non-profit groups for community enhancement projects.

FCC president and CEO Greg Stewart said the Regina Spirit Fund was conceived as a way for FCC to invest in the community in which more than 600 of its employees live and work.

FCC regularly gives 1.5 per cent of its profits to charities and non-profit groups, and Stewart said the Regina Spirit Fund is a natural extension of the corporation's other charitable activities, such as the Agrispirit Fund, which supports community groups in rural Canada.

At a ceremony outside Wascana Rehabilitation Centre Tuesday, Stewart presented cheques to representatives of 10 Regina-based community groups [including] Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.

The money donated by FCC will help fund projects, like accessibility upgrades to buildings, creating a community garden in north central Regina and creating new educational opportunities within the city.

"We want to (support) a broad variety of associations and groups to make sure we're not just impacting one area of the community, but doing something that will touch everybody," Stewart said.

The Regina Spirit Fund was created as a twice-yearly program, with new applications being accepted in August.

Check us out on the Big Dog!

Check us out on the Big Dog!

Souls Harbour Rescue BanquetWednesday, May 7th, join Brad & Heather from the Dog's Breakfast as they host the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission "Love Your Neighbour Banquet". For more details call 543-0011 or visit http://www.reginarescuemission.org/lynb.php

TONIGHT: CONCERT

Please join us tonight at the Good News Chapel at 7:00 pm for a special musical presentation by the Providence College Singers.

This 35-voice, award-winning chamber choir is known throughout Canada and internationally, as well. They have performed at the Association of Canadian Choral Conductors Conference and have represented Manitoba in several national music festivals. Under the direction of Dr. Henry Schellenberg, the College Singers consistently offer high quality concerts featuring classical, contemporary, traditional, and sacred ethnic selections. Hearing these young men and women lift their voices in praise to God is an amazing experience! The acoustics will be spectacular!

Brief reception put on by WARM, (Womens Auxiliary Rescue Mission )to follow.

Thanks to Mission staff and volunteers for their assistance in hosteling this group and feeding our guests breakfast!

Dancing with Reginas Stars

Come vote for the Mission's dancer, Lee Jones, from CTV!

The Regina Ballroom Dancing Club will host a star-studded evening on April 26, 8:00 pm, at Conexus Arts Centre. Dancing With Regina’s Stars will feature six celebrities paired with instructors from the RBDC, and performances by Canadian Idol Top Ten Finalist, Matt Rapley. The dance couples will perform two routines to be evaluated by a panel of judges, but the audience will have the final say in selecting the winners.

Although a champion will be selected, local and national charities are the true winners of Dancing With Regina’s Stars. One hundred per cent of proceeds will be divided equally among organizations selected by the celebrities.

The evening will begin with a group routine from the RBDC’s self-grown talents. The competition begins with the first round of dances from the couples. Each pair will receive feedback from a panel of judges. Capping off the first half will be a performance by singer Matt Rapley.

Dancers will switch modes in the second half of the show as each pair has prepared a Latin and a smooth ballroom dance. Once again, the judges will have their say, but to little avail; the event will ultimately be judged by the audience.

Audience members will have two ways to vote. For those with SaskTel Mobility cell phones, there will be a text-to-vote option available. Others will show their support through rounds of applause for the couple they view to be most deserving. The pair with the combination of the loudest applause and the most text votes will be crowned Regina’s Favourite Dancers.

Tickets to Dancing with Regina's Stars, a fundraiser to benefit charities such as Souls Harbour Rescue Mission are available for $25 in advance at NWL Fashions, Book & Brier Patch, Tux 'n' Tails, Cobb Swanson Music and Bach & Beyond. Or $30 at the door.

A Dog's Breakfast

Derrick and I were promoting the upcoming 5th Annual Love Your Neighbour Fund Raising Banquet on Big Dog today. Even brought Trapper, the Mission's own big dog, but couldn't get him to woof on air!

Brad and Heather of Big Dog are MC'ing our special night, which will give Ken a break. Hopefully their jokes aren't as corny as his. Ha!

During the broadcast, Brad and Heather read a piece which he emailed me later. Very thought provoking video about how the world would look if it were reduced, per capita, to 100 people. Take a gander...

Oprah's Big Give Finale

Oprah's final words last night were inspiring:

Find your own way to give big. The challenge starts NOW!

This episode of Oprah's Big Give had Stephen Paletta winning one million dollars, half for himself, and half to spend on "giving big" to any charity of his choice. Now, the cool thing about this was that the contestants did not think they were playing for a personal prize.

Scripture says our good deeds will be rewarded. It also says we are to "give hilariously." Now, for the likes of Oprah or Trump to do that, they have to produce their own charity show, and multiply their gifts through encouraging other friends with means to do the same.

But why can't we do this in our own lives?

"Hey, Ralph, I volunteered at the Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission Soup Kitchen last night and it was pretty great. Do you want to go with me this week? If you like it, we can commit to going once a week. I know it would help them out a lot!"

"Jessica, I heard that the Mission needs someone to come in and make lunch for the residents on Saturdays. Do you want to apply to do this with me? Maybe we can even get the church to donate the meat for sandwiches."
Get the picture?

It doesn't take $500,000 to give big. It takes one person at a time with a big heart for the poor. Maybe you can't commit to once a week because you are busy at home being a mom. But you could take your husband on a date night to Regina's Dancing with the Stars. The proceeds of this fun evening go in part, to Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission! (See blog later this week for more information.)

It is more blessed to give than to receive. -Acts 20:35

Got this one from Mike Shmalz, our new Resident Manager. He's a New York/Paris split.

What City Should You Live In?
	You should live in Los Angeles. You are snarky, headstrong, and will step on toes to get where you want. It takes a certain type of confidence to make it in sunny L.A., and you may have what it takes!
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Sweet Minute of Prayer

We've been focussing on prayer at the Good News Chapel, in preparation for our upcoming revival meetings. Unbeknownst to them, Mel and Murray, part of our leadership team, have missed a couple Sundays while travelling. Mel shared with the staff that they had been listening to sermons on their road trip, and one really impacted her.

It was a sermon by Irwin Lutzer, based on this hymn:

Sweet Hour of Prayer,
William W. Walford, 1845

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

Mel challenged us as staff to join her in recognizing the power of prayer, acknowledging that most of us don't do enough, and then asked if any of us would be willing to share a weekly "hour of prayer" with her.

Each person interested must find an accountability partner, and Mission requests will be sent out by her to each staff member committed to his hour of intercession and worship.

No doubt, if you are not used to this level of prayer, it will be difficult to reach an hour, but as Paula pointed out, once this hour of prayer is part of your weekly routine, you will notice and miss it very much if it is gone!

If you have something you would like our staff team of prayer warriors to pray for, or would like to join as a prayer partner, please don't hesitate to give Mel a call, or email the Mission to Mel's attention.

Media Release: Groceries Galore

Contact: Aaron Cross Emergency Services Manager 543-0011
(or Michelle Porter, Executive Director)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 17th, 2008


SOULS HARBOUR RESCUE MISSION FLOODED WITH FOOD!

Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission would like to thank the many individuals, businesses and churches who responded to their Easter food drive by giving donations of food, gift cards, and finances. The food keeps pouring in! Serving 100,000 meals a year has been made so much easier with the help of caring friends in our community. From the Board of Directors and Staff, a big, hearty “THANK YOU!”

Reflections on Contentment

At our staff meeting this week I prepared the following devotional. There was excellent discussion and when all was said and done, you might say this devotional was written by a dozen or so staff of the Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission!

Godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

Contentment makes us fit for service.

One of the dangers of "growing weary in well doing," as Ken exhorted us at our last staff meeting, is slipping into a state of discontent.

Characteristics of Discontent:

1- A heart condition.
It begins with an internal dissatisfaction with God.
It's a craving of wanting more - of not acknowledging that what we have is enough.

2 - It's a focus on the temporal, not eternal.
It is dwelling in our MIND on our sickness, on our lack, on wishing for something that we don't have - perhaps a spouse, a car, a house, or a certain talent or ability.

3 - It's a negative attitude and it's contageous.
As missionaries, our greatest temptation may well be discontentment! The enemy is quick to pounce on this one as the results can be devestating.

Q: Name some end results of discontentment, relevant to our team.
-Pulling others down
-Lack of prayer
-Lack of encouragement
-Negativity
-"in-fighting"
-Loss of staff & volunteers
-Lack of effective ministry
-Desire to quit
-Straying from God, although this concept was attached to a "chicken and egg disclainmer"

Remember Jesus' words:
If you have food, water, clothing & shelter for THIS DAY -
BE CONTENT.

The Remedy-

Q:How, practically speaking, can we obey this command?

a) Guarding our mindds from the world--verything from bad tv to the commercials that make you long for the latest gadgets.

b) Stick around with winners--mentoring, coaching, hanging around with people that are uplfting.

c) Remind yourself of your blessings--like living at the Mission for $230 a month, getting free clothing and food.

d) Avoid the love of $--
How? Radical generosity, and biting your tongue vs. complaining

e) Release your resentments to God-- How?
i. Get to the bottom of it.
ii. Forgive
iii. Ask God to bless them: this is the real thermometer of forgiveness.

f) Accept life's disappointments--children not living for Christ, singleness, grief. Remember that life is always going to be a unique combination of joy and pain.

Conclusion:
Complete reliance upon God.
Simply God.
God alone. He is enough.

Remember Romans 8:

For I am fully convinced that nothing can seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Heart Health

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. -Eph 6:12

As a missionary, I am very aware that the "petty" or "human" concerns that seem to crop up are not man's idea. They are straight from the pit.

Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. -1 Pet 5:8b

The answer is clear:

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. -Eph 6:11

If we don't do this, we aren't protected and the enemy destroys us from the inside out. Missionaries leave the mission field. Pastors quit. Forgiveness is withheld. Rash decisions are made.

What should we be doing, then, practically speaking? There is something here for all of us:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; ...

Employees, be obedient to them that are your employers, according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

And, ye employers, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.

-Eph 6:1-10

We all have a part to play in this battle. We need to stop judging one another and move forward, "doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord."


Is it time for a "heart" check-up?

Missionaries are Jesus' Ambassadors

In his book, 100 Portraits of Christ, Henry Gariepy tells the story of Teddy Roosevelt boarding ship at an African port after a hunting safari. The red carpet was rolled out and great crowds gathered to send him off. He was given the best suite on board the ship and was the center of attention during the sail home. At the same time, there was another man on board ship. He was an old missionary who had given his life for God in Africa. His wife had died. His children were gone. He sailed home alone. Unnoticed. At the ship’s arrival in San Francisco, the President was again feted as whistles blew, bells rang, and crowds cheered as Roosevelt disembarked in pomp and glory. But there was no one there to meet the missionary. He went to a small hotel room and that night, kneeling by his bed he prayed, “I’m not complaining, Lord. But I just don’t understand. I gave my life for You in Africa and it seems that no one cares. I just don’t understand.” And then it seemed in that moment the Lord reached down His hand from heaven and placing it on the old man’s shoulder, said, “Missionary, you’re not home yet.”

If I go and prepare a place for you,I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am. --John 14:3

For those of us living in North America, having a missionary mindset is difficult, because the things that are rewarded here, are not the things which a missionary pursues:

-Peace vs Prosperity
Love vs Power
-Godliness vs Health

Ask God how you can treat His full-time workers in a way that will honour them as His ambassadors. Be creative! Sometimes all that is needed is a listening ear. A cup of coffee with a friend. Other times they may need something more practical, such as a car for their season of furlough, or a season's pass to the Family Acquatic Centre, or even a trip to the dentist.

Is there something God has given you, a talent or trade, that you can bless a missionary or your pastor with today?

Neiman Marcus!

March/April Rescue holds complete Association of Gospel Rescue Mission Convention details. Registrations for the convention have now topped 200, putting us 171 percent ahead of last year at this time. In addition, interest is growing in our host city contest included in every issue of Street Smart until the convention. The fourth person to email AGRM’s Faye Wisdom with the correct answer to the following question will win a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. (To be eligible, the person must be registered for the convention, or must register in the next five days.) The trivia question in the last issue was too “male.” Guys inherently know that argon gas glows green when energized by electricity (so how did Mary Harriger come out the winner?). Now it’s your turn, ladies. Name the luxury department store founded in Dallas in 1907 famous for its Christmas catalog featuring “fantasy gifts,” which last year included a $1.44 million submarine.

I received my Barnes & Noble Gift Certificate in the mail today! YAY!! I WON!

Parting is such sweet sorrow

I said a sad good-bye to Larry and Pat Martin today. Larry has been with the Mission nearly since his it's founding in 1999. He phoned wanting to get involved, and was quickly set up to began leading our Overcomers weekly support group.

As a recovered addict himself, he was such a great asset for our men. He then moved to a new position of leading our weekly life and social skills class, focusing on relapse management. When he took early retirement, he began giving even more of his time by sponsoring several men on the LifeChange Program.

Larry was a fixture around here, and blessed many of us with his wit and dry sense of humour, his honesty and openness, and his eagerness to serve Christ at "the Rescue Mission." We hugged, both of us in tears, (mostly him as I have to be tough, of course!) as he pulled out towards his new home. I know there will be a new ministry in Alberta that will appreciate him as much as we have!