Dear Staff & Board,

Hello, Pardners!

Rebecca and I are coming to the final leg of our journey. This morning, in about an hour, Becca will be completing City Vision College. Hopefully you can all celebrate that with her at our July All-Staff Reunion. That is kind of an inside joke. We had "District Reunions" this year, and both Becca and I thought it would be snacks and fellowship, but it was rows of chairs and a meeting. Kind of a loss leader, don't you think?! Still, the first-timers got to share, and Rebecca was able to introduce herself. She's met a lot of new people, but of course, as is always the case when I travel with ya'll, the "20-somethings" are quite scarce at convention!

I have been so busy this year! Our board meeting went "overtime" and took the first whole day and evening, (which I had planned and left early for) then one of the free afternoons because we couldn't get finished. I taught a seminar. I had signed Becca and I up to be Rangers, which means you stand guard at the door, Mountie sytle, to make sure people aren't sneakng in who haven't paid for lunch! I was also able to meet a man who is just starting a mission in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and hooked him up with Gary in Expansion, and even had the priviledge of paying so he could complete the conference! I tell you, not to receive acolades, but because, really, the Mission paid, so all of us together are growing our mission family!

We have had a couple of VERY hysterical moments, such as when Rebecca displayed her super-strength powers and managed to open an elevator door with her bare hands, after it had already closed. Yes, folks, this, right before our very eyes! The secret of Super-Becca is out! Bill Butterworth is an asolute HOOT, to the point where I want to buy the CD and let you all listen to it. We nearly peed our pants, people! (Can I say pee here?) And last night was the night of corny humour and cowboy (complete with banjo & harmonica) music when the English Brothers treated us to a night of entertainment. If you want to hear their sound click the link and a little ditty will play. My FAVOURITE kind of music! One of them used to be with the Flying W Ranch, which Ken and I went to during the Dallas Convention, where I graduated from Rescue College.

And that leads us back to Becca. I wanted to let you know we are buying her the following gifts, which I will present to her this morning at the grad: a plaque that has a grad prayer on it and a picture of architecture of some sort, framed in black; a black leather-like grad promie book, complete with tassle; a RESCUE mug (this is kind of a joke because she won a case of these but I comandeered them for our fund raising department! Plus, of course, the trip out here to Dallas!

It would seem I have time for one more cup of joe, so off I go and I`ll see ya`ll real soon!

In Christ,
Michelle
xoxo

Howdy, Pardners. How's Erybudeh?

Bill Thompson from Dallas' Union Gospel Mission has made this the best convention ever! I toured both his mens and womens facilities and they are amazing complexes that help to reduce the cause of homelessness for the 9000+ homeless population in Dallas, Texas.

Yesterday I did my first convention seminar. The topic was chosen for me, and it was the Biblical view of hospitality in Rescue Missions. Email me if you want an electronic copy. I had the boys in blue as special guests. They are the program guys of the local mission.

Hung out with some friends, toured the museum and west wing, walked the grounds, got shin splints. This place is incredible! There are something like 7 eating establishments and upscale stores in here! Anyway, I must go continue my fun!

Dallas hosts national homeless meeting

By KIM HORNER / The Dallas Morning News

Less than a week after Dallas opened a new homeless center, hundreds of leaders from shelters nationwide will meet in the city to discuss the latest ideas for helping people leave the streets.

More than 600 people are expected to attend the 95th annual Association of Gospel Rescue Missions convention at the Hilton Anatole. Meetings get under way this morning.

One of the group's goals is to move beyond the image of charities that simply provide a bed and a meal, said Bill Thompson, executive director of the Union Gospel Mission in Dallas.

The Dallas mission, for example, plans more outreach and to provide housing and extensive job training, he said. The charity is raising money for 30 single-room apartments for the homeless near the city's new downtown homeless center, The Bridge, which opened Tuesday.

Projects like the Union Gospel Mission's apartments are exactly what's needed to make The Bridge a success, said Mike Rawlings, Dallas' homeless czar.

"Now that we were able to build The Bridge, they [charities such as Union Gospel Mission] are evolving and looking at other ways to fill the need," he said. "People are realizing that's the right answer, that a lack of affordable housing is such a big issue in Dallas now – that's where we've got to focus our attention."

The Dallas mission also is working on a program of vocational training in carpentry, masonry, floor and wall covering, and auto mechanics, Mr. Thompson said.

"We realize how undersupplied a lot of the building trades are, and what would be better than to have schools that produce people able to compete for those jobs or even start their own small businesses?" Mr. Thompson said.

Phil Rydman, spokesman for the Kansas City, Mo.-based Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, said the shelters need to adapt to an increase in the number of intact families – mom, dad and children – seeking help.

"That's a big change for us," he said. "Certainly not all our missions are able to serve entire families."

More apartment-style homes are needed so women and children don't have to be in a separate dorm from the fathers, he said.

For more information about the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions conference, go to: www.agrm.org.

I'm in TEXAS, Ya'll!

A big howdy from the registration desk of the Association of Gospel RESCUE Missions! For some reason no one is getting up at 7:00 a.m. to be registered. Hmmm...

So, this place is GREAT! I came early as I'm on the board of trustees and we had a day long meeting, including a working lunch. But before the ball got rolling, the day I flew in, I was able to walk the grounds and WOW! There is a sculpture garden, and indoors in the Tower is a museum of sorts, with all kinds of marble statues and such.

Yesterday was our "fun day" and we went to a rodeo! Watched some crazy clown antics and crazy rodeo events. You have to be crazy to ride a bull, ya'll! Saw cowboy poker, mutton bustin' and the calf scramble!

Today I have board meeting part 2, and then things really get underway... IF ANYONE WOULD COME TO THIS REGISTRATION BOOTH AND GET THEIR NAME BADGES! Where is everyone?!

And of course, a Tesas post would not be complete without a comment on the climate:

HOT & HUMID & WINDY

This'll melt your snowman in about 30 seconds. And they say it isn't even hot right now! It's a Saskatchewan summer with a whole lotta moisture. For the first time my hair has these cute little frizzies. Ha! and if you can believe it, the OUTDOOR POOL is heated!

Well, in anticipation of a registration rush and a dead laptop batter, I'll leave you for now and check in later.

Wedding Bells

Ken and I had a great long weekend in Calgary, where he officiated at my brother's wedding. He and Tina have already been together for a long time, and have a beautiful daughter, Jacquie.

We got to stay with my oldest little brother, Richard, and his family, getting to know little Lexie, as we hadn't seen her since her "bobblehead" days!










My Aunties from New York and Edmonton, my cousins and their new baby, and my Grandma from Saskatoon were all there, so it really was a very nice little reunion. Rich had a huge steak BBQ at his place the next day, and we had a great time catching up and eating Suzie's amazing dinner. That night, once everyone was gone, the four of us had a WII bowling tournament, where Sue and I rocked!

I'm home now on the "flip flop," as Sherry Mebs says, and heading off to Dallas next week, where you'll likely hear from me again!

Snifffff

My baby brother, Mikey, is getting married today!

Letter from a Mission Friend

This letter was from Derrick's brother, regarding our Harbour House Endowment Fund:

Dear Bro,

Your neice and nephew have a few chickens and she was telling me yesterday how you have to put an egg (or a rock that looks like an egg) in the nest to let them know where to lay the eggs you want. Put this donation in the laying box and wait patiently for the eggs. Takes a while. :)

Love,

E.

The great thing about seed money is that a little does go a long way!

Still time for last minute tickets!

It's time for our 5th Annual

Love Your Neighbour

Fund Raising Banquet &

LifeChange Graduation Ceremony!

Celebrate our winning team with our Grey Cup theme!

Come enjoy a wonderful plate service dinner,
the Regina Community Orchestra,
Canadian Idol's Matt Rapley, VIBE award winner, Brenda Geneau, Richie Hall, and much more!

Wednesday, May 7th (yes, next week!)

6:30 pm -- doors open at 6:00

Conexus Arts Centre.

Price is $10 – Seating is limited so call while you still can!

CALL NOW to reserve your seat!

543-0011

Grads from our inaugural Love Your Neighbour Banquet five years ago!

Come and celebrate the tradition with us!