Feeding the Hungry

Beth Ell is a friend of mine, a long-time volunteer in the soup kitchen, and a board member, wrote me the most encouraging email.

Talking about children I have to tell you about a family who came into the Soup Kitchen this week. There was a Dad with a boy, about 8 years old and two little girls probably about 4 years and 5 years old. The children were so polite that when they asked for more bread - they said "please" and when I brought it they all thanked me for it and they were just the most wonderful children.

The little girls were quite talkative and they were telling me that they had come a long way (I never did find out where they came from) and they asked me where my home was. I told them that I've lived in Regina for a long time so this is my home now. The 5-year looked up at me and asked "Do you have food in your home?" I had to look into her beautiful eyes and tell her "yes, I do" while thinking that "this child does not have food in her home!" It still gets me teary-eyed thinking about these children and the situation they were in.

Of course, I did go into the cooler and the pantry at the Soup Kitchen and filled up two grocery bags of food to give to the Dad and he was very appreciative for this and thanked me a number of times. He did say that they had a place to stay and with the food I gave them they would be okay. They didn't come back, so I just keep praying that they are okay.

This is just one reason I keep going to the Soup Kitchen. Almost every day there is someone who comes in that makes such an impact on me that I when I go home I say "This is why I love being there!"

I would like to again thank you and Ken for your work and the Mission because it gives individuals like me the opportunity to help to make a difference in one person's life or a family's life every day. Thank you and continued blessings in your lives!

Pleasant Words

Earlier this month, I had some really difficult news from a friend. Because it was confidential, I had to keep it between us, but it was a very trying time. Even though not one person knew of this, for the following week, I had an encouraging word in my staff mail box every day!

First, a mutual Facebook friend sent me an encouragement note. Delightful! Then Derrick gave me a postcard with a beautiful fall scene and said, "Thanks for being a good friend, an understanding boss, and a spiritual mentor." Then Jenna gave me a blue whale with the words "You are an awesome boss!" Becca gave me a one inch by one inch love note of secret origin. Larry Solie noticed I had dried the last rose he gave me and he bought me a gorgeous rose that has been lasting and lasting and doing it's best to lend it's fragrance to my office.

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. - Proverbs 16:24.

Take a moment to encourage someone today!

It's our 19th Anniversary!

100 Meals a Day

WANTED: Our pick up van has bit the biscuit. It's been a faithful trooper but it's no longer safe to drive.

For instance, if you don't know the "tricks" of driving it, you may find yourself like Jenna, who took the Mission recycling into Sarcan the other day. She put the van in park, and when she got out, found it rolling towards the building! She ran in between it and managed to use her super human strength to stop it from rolling. Then she ran across the street to ask Larry Solie, our Harbour House caretaker, to help her out. She may have saved the earth but lost a leg!

This is an important vehicle because it does all the "dirty" work, transporting cans, bottles, donations and the food that feeds so many people each day! We cook everything at the Soup Kitchen and transport meals with the van to the Mens Home, Womens Home, and Emergency Womens Homeless Shelter. This can be up to 100 meals per day!

We have found a suitable replacement truck and are looking for $11,000 to purchase it. We are getting a smoking deal, so if you can help out in any way, please hurry! The sale must be finalized by the end of the month, but they are letting us drive it for the time being!

For more information, or to make a donation, please call Donovan at 306-543-0011.

Book Review: The Power of Charm

The Power of Charm, How to win anyone over in any situation, by Brian Tracy and Ron Arden

This short read is somewhat repetitive, but has a few main points we can all learn to make us more charming:

1. Improve your listening skills. Look and face directly at the person, concentrate on what they are saying, and engage them in further conversation about their point.

2. Be free with your praise - give compliments! Catch them in the act of doing things right.

3. Smile!

4. Forget about yourself. Focus on the other person.

It's an age old recipe found in an unlikely place:

In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Phil 2:3b & 4

Weirdest Boss Ever

TRAVIS LEWIS, MASTER INTERN

It's no secret that I love interns. We usually have at least one LifeChange Alumni taking City Vision College. I have a heart for coaching and mentoring young people to be the best they can be!




Yesterday, as we pulled yet another prank on Mike, our newest staff member, Master Intern Travis (the guys call him that!) said, "You're the weirdest boss I've ever had!"

I must be hard up on compliments, because I told him I was taking that as a good thing.

"No, Michelle. When I say "weird" it IS a compliment. Trust me."

Go figure.

streetsmart

streetsmart

AGRM exists to proclaim the passion of Jesus toward the hungry, homeless, abused, and addicted; and to accelerate quality and effectiveness in member missions.

Our Mission has always been a sister to hundreds of missions throughout North America. I am privileged to serve on the Board of Trustees of this Association of Gospel Rescue Missions.