Guest Post: Paula Katzberg

One of Regina's "characters" passed away on Feb 8. Few of us knew his name, but most of us probably remember seeing him downtown, always with his gym bag. He lived at the Salvation Army's Waterston House and hung out at the CMHA Members Club. He used to come to our Sat. evening care groups at Scarth Street, and was a regular at our Easter/Thanksgiving/Christmas meals. I'd known him for a while before I found out what he carried in that gym bag - it was beach balls, and he'd sometimes take one out and thoughtfully hold it for a while, then carefully put it back in the bag. His name was Don Labelle, and he will be missed.


Paula Katzberg has known Don for years and years. She and her husband Jack Katzberg have dedicated their lives to helping the poor. They reside at the Women and Family Home and serve as volunteer staff; Paula as the LifeChange Program Manager, and Jack as Chaplain at Good News Chapel.

To sign Don's guest book, please go to his online obituary and click the link.

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!

Holiday Breathers

Having just taken a month in Hawai'i, and being regular "let's take our entire three weeks to one month vacation at once" people, Ken and I can relate to The Frank Group e-newsletter article this month. John Frank is a very good friend of mine who gave us excellent consultation last year when Regina RESCUE Mission and Souls Harbour united as Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission. He also recommends Richard Swenson, who has been a real fan favourite at the Mission. Here is his article... hopefully he won't mind being our guest blogger today!

Taking a breather in July? You should. From all of my reading through the years I have found that most successful leaders and executives know how to recharge their batteries. I have read where people who are workaholics find they are much more effective upon their return to work when they take a vacation.

Dr. Richard Swenson writes in his book, Margins, we do not allow enough "margin" between our lives of work, family, personal, relationships, volunteering, and whatever. We run from one thing to the next.

I know we are all different and relax and recharge in different ways. Here are a couple of things I learned about myself and how I used a vacation.

The first was when I worked for a ministry in development, the kids were young and I had two weeks vacation. I found my mind took awhile to slow down. If I only took a one-week vacation I was slowing down by Wednesday, only to begin planning on Thursday for the Monday back from vacation! Can you relate to that?

Then we began taking two weeks at one time. We did a variety of things from visiting the beach, relatives, and sometimes staying home and doing projects. But when Wednesday of the first week was there, I was slowing down. From Wednesday to Wednesday something amazing happened - I was RECHARGING my batteries. When the second Thursday was here I was looking at next Monday, but I was restored.

If you are committed to your ministry of development you are always planning, thinking, and looking ahead. That is why you are good. You take every component of your development department seriously. The fall is only a short time away and everything must be ready.

So get yourself ready by taking a good vacation. Here are a few suggestions to recharge as you plan your vacation.

1. Physical rest - Studies show that sleep is still one of the ways for the body to heal and strengthen itself. Your immune system needs sleep to stay strong. Sleep in one day. Remember, naps are a special gift from God! Stewardship of your body is a key responsibility.

2. Mental rest - Remember that pile of books you set aside to read "when you had time"? Pick one out and start reading. I suggest you start with a fun book and not a business or professional book. You can read them on your vacation, just not the first book. If you start with a professional book first your mind may not slow down and you will go into "application thinking". No way your mind will get rest then. Read a fun book and lighten up your mind. (I highly recommend John Adams - a great book!)

3. Spiritual rest - This is a tough one because it varies with everyone. You may want a mountain top retreat or something special. But it may also just be visiting another church with a great teaching pastor. Or attend your kid's youth service, or skip church and have a family service. (OK, my boomer side is showing) Grab a devotional and try to read it everyday on your vacation. Revisit your prayer journal. (I do not know about you, but some of my spiritual disciplines have not been consistent through the years. A vacation is a good time to revisit them.)

4. Social rest - What? OK, this may just be me. But after meeting and working with so many people, I need a break from people! So on my vacations I only want to be with my family. Maybe you are the opposite and you need to visit some people you do not get to be with during the busy year. Have a BBQ at your house. Go to a movie with friends. Or if you are like me, be with your family only during the first week. (When my social skills have partially returned, my wife lets me be with other people during the second week of vacation.)

Those are just some of my ideas and experiences. Remember, development is a consuming professional. We are NEVER done. While this is exciting and challenging and never boring, it can also wear us down, wear us out, and burn us out. Then we are no good to family, friends, or our ministry.

Taking good care of you is NOT being selfish. It is being a wise steward. A steward who understands that each of us has different life and health issues must steward their bodies and minds with wisdom. I had cancer in my spine when I was 30. I was just diagnosed with diabetes in March at age 52. I have to watch my limits on things like eating and exercise. (One I am supposed to do less and the other more. I keep getting them mixed up!) You know your body and your health. Be wise and learn more about it. Signing up for the WebMD eNewsletter on certain topics is very informative.

I pray you get some great vacations, breaks, recharging, and restoration this summer. Your ministries and donors will be there when you get back. Make an investment in yourself this summer, and then witness the great ROI from that investment during the busy fall.


Blessings,
John

John R. Frank, MA, CFRE
President
The Frank Group

Even so...

Joe Millar, my assistant, sent greetings from Stonewall, Manitoba, where he is spending Easter with his wife's family. Although intended for staff, it's message is something we all ought to rejoice in!

Blessings to you all!

I know you guys are all working hard on the dinner so may the Lord reward your faithfulness. It seems that I have this big old house to myself today. Nancy & April are in the city buying groceries, shopping, having coffee (you know sister stuff), and Walter is visiting his Father. That means I have some quiet time to myself.

As I take this opportunity to reflect on the time of year, what Easter means, etc, my mind keeps drifting back to John The Baptist! It seems like that's where it's been over the last week or two! I am fascinated with this guy. Even before he was born he knew his purpose and he recognized Jesus! He was filled with the Spirit and the power of the Lord was upon him. If you get a chance read Luke chapter 1 from verse 39 to the end. How simple a life he lived, and yet his purpose was so huge!! What else do we know about John? He lived in the desert and he ate locusts and honey. I'm sure if you asked some of the residents, they'd say that it sounds like the mission!! LOL. He preached repentance, and eventually his level of honesty cost him his head! But this is what's been moving me: "A voice crying in the wilderness!" I can't escape that thought, and I know it's because it's from the Lord!

I dream of the Lord's return, and I long deeply to be with him! It is very easy for me to become jealous of the disciples. I have this mental picture of them sitting with Jesus on the shores of the lake; a fire burning as they "discuss" the days events, a warm breeze blowing in off the lake, even the warmth of the sand on their feet! Who knows what they all got to do together. John says in his gospel that at the time there weren't enough books to record all his deeds. We have the bible and some of his miracles are recorded in it, but they had him!

If I look back on my life I can now see what I didn't understand then. My first memory as a small child is of not belonging. Like I was out of place. In hindsight, I now recognize that it was God telling me that this wasn't my home! Brothers and sisters take courage and run the race! We are not of this world!! We are children of the wilderness! We are that voice crying out today! I find it easy to long to be with the Lord!

The old testament ends with the message, read Malachi chapter 4, that he will bring together the fathers and their children. The new testament, Revelation 22:17, ends with the Bride and the Spirit crying out for his coming. That's us today! Jesus will come again, and his return will be proceeded by our cry! We are the voice crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord!"

Today would be a good day for his return.
Happy Easter!!
Joe.

Visions and Dreams

You've read a few posts about Becca lately, as our latest hire, and longtime friend. Well, here is something she recently discovered in her journal, and has given me permission to post. It's uncanny. It has all come to fruition in the time frames she wrote down.

March 23, 2006

Tonight I had a vision about the Mission - this is the first time I've ever felt compelled to just write something like this down and not say anything. I envisioned that next summer RRM will have, not only a new shelter/drop-in/low income housing facility, but also a new womens home. That if God is to lead me back it would be in a year to fill that gap - work directly in my field, grow my experience, and prepare me to move on toward my dream.

My other thoughts about this is that 2007 will be a year of blessing (jubilee) for RRM after 6 years. God will provide money, goods, opportunity and people to advance His will.

Lord, if this is from You, let it come to pass. If not, please take it from my heart and mind.

This is interesting, because she wrote it the day the government declined our building project proposal. Hard to believe that today, we have four months to complete Harbour House, a 30-suite complex which will include emergency shelter and affordable housing, and the government is footing the bill due to such a serious shortage of decent housing!

"But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.

Acts 2:16-18

Christmas Day Report

Christmas at the Mission is always an exciting time, and this year was no different. With our 22 men, 9 women, little ones, and the dozen men at the emergency shelter, the hall was packed and people were spoiled rotten! I got an email from Derrick about the event, which several of our staff attended:

I thought I would tell you how fantastic the Christmas dinner was! Actually the brunch and dinner! The brunch at 10:30 am consisted of blueberry french toast, raspberries and whipped cream on the side, incredible hash browns(some secret recipe no doubt) ham, and a boat load of bacon, coffee and juice!!!

THE DINNER: Turkey with great gravy, ham, the most unbelievable mashed potatoes(with dill I think), Caesar salad, some other salad with cashews, wonderful string beans and carrots, all kinds of cookies and deserts. They lead us in Christmas carols and handed out gifts. Becca said a moving prayer about the real meaning of Christmas.

I brought 10 guys from the shelter and I know they all really appreciated the whole day of family atmosphere, fun and games. Of course having kids and babies there really gave it a true feeling of a traditional Christmas. I must also compliment Heather and those who helped plan the seating in the basement. They had corners with couches, areas with tables and chairs, that gave one end of the room an almost gay Paris ambiance.

It was one of the better Christmas' I've seen here, or anywhere, especially considering you have a large group of people, many meeting for the first time. And lest I forget to honour our Lord Jesus for filling the room with His Holy Spirit, I never heard a word of anger or disagreement all day. Praise the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Yours in Christ,
Derrick.

A special thanks to the Cochrane family and the staff who volunteered to help make the day one to remember. And thanks to the community and so many who blessed us with treats and financial gifts that helped us serve a feast for 60.

Bye Bye Becca!

We bid a sad farewell to Rebecca Cochrane, who has been with us for one full year as an Intern in Rescue College. She blogged her farewell:

What I'm Gonna Miss... about RRM
* staff and residents
* laughing throughout the halls of the Mission
* Watching Residents graduate
* Melanie's snoopy dancing
* my "after work" chats with Michelle
* Ken's humour
* "Staff Nap Time"
* staff and residents
* staff morning devotional time
* hearing Jack pray "Dear Lord thank you for today"
* Michelle's emails when she is on vacation/at convention
* staff Bible study/potlucks
* the excitement of holiday dinners
* praying with staff and residents whenever a need arises.
* being a part of a ministry that is constantly growing and improving
* staff and residents
* hearing Grant pray " and thank you Jesus for dying on the cross"
* playing dice on family nights
* Larry - his sense of style, sense of humour, and sense of being.
* the girls camping trip
* free groceries!
* Mesfin's somosa's and those really yummy crispy things... mmmmm...
* hearing residents tell how Jesus has changed their lives
* watching Jon read Dilbert in the Office
* Len's bright smile and encouraging words
* impromptu "counselling" sessions in the interns office
* Ken and Michelle's servant leadership
* telling people about what I'm doing and why (especially as a Mission rep)
* George's "finds" from dumpter diving
* female staff I can both laugh and cry with
* Vicki's character building
* staff and residents

I'm sure there's many more things I am forgetting, but this is the list I know now.

Leaving RRM is like leaving a way of life. This year has been hard, I think most of you all know that by now, but being at RRM has given me purpose and vision for making it through the year. I know that it is time to move on, even if I don't always know why, but I will miss this place, this environment, and these people. The staff truly is like a family and they have loved me and cared for me through the last 12 months. I have needed their love and care, their safety and their friendship.

Tonight they are throwing me a good-bye party. So I will head off soon for some good food and good company and some reminders of what all I am gonna miss.

-Becca

She's been an integral part of our rescue team and family and we have enjoyed her company, her enthusiasm, her diligence, her ability to step in and do what is needed despite obstacles, her spiritual maturity, and so much more. Bye, Becca! We'll miss you, too!