Resident Birthday Greetings

I hope residents don't see this but if they do it's their own fault! This is the funniest greeting card ever. True story.

Pat:
Last Sunday when you sat on my knees in church,
according to legal counseling warrants an assault charge.
I am seriously considering this.
Happy Birthday!
- Al

Kicking the Computer Habit

The Globe and Mail has a revealing article called 40, married, gaming addict. It's one thing to spend a day putzing around on the internet. Sure, it's a waste of time, but no more than taking a $20 bill to the casino to spend on nickel slots, or watching the entire Lord of the Ring series in one day. It's one day.

But for some, it's never just one day. We had one such man, Sonny, on our LifeChange recovery program a number of years ago. You wonder, "How bad can it really be?" And then you learn the truth. When an addict is playing on the computer, an entire day can pass without their knowledge. This means they can go night and day without eating, and, in the worst cases, even defecate in their seats.

How did we help Sonny? Well, it took time. A whole lot of time! First we limited his computer usage, and did not allow him to engage in the role playing games to which he was addicted. Sonny found a way around it and resorted to playing a little handheld game in his room. Of course, we confiscated it when we found it.

A year later, he was freed from his addiction, and set out to make a new life for himself. Today, he holds down a full time job and even saved up enough money to buy a house!

Our program is for "life-controlling problems" of all kinds. Sure, most of the men and women who join LifeChange are addicted to alcohol, or drugs, but we also get the occasional gamer, gambler, sex addict. We also work with mental illness including depression, schizophrenia, and bi-polar disorder. For those who don't have an addiction, we allow them to join the program at an accelerated pace, in order to relieve them of homelessness or joblessness.

If you know anyone who might need to spend three months to one year with us, please contact our Womens and Mens LifeChange Resident Managers, Rebecca, or Mike at 543-0011. They'd be happy to tour you and your friend or family member around, and settle them in to a brand new life.

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.

Laughter is the best medicine

The Womens Home is abuzz with chatter and excitement tonight. Short of women volunteers, and with Paula in Florida, we have placed our male Chaplains on duty at the Women and Family Home.

Today Harley had to come up with a Rec Idea. Well, first off, the boys lied to the girls and said they got to go to laser tag, so they were mad!

"What? Not fair! We have to go to the LIBRARY!" they complained.

But tonight, they are singing the praises of Chaplain Harley.

""He is so nice."
"He is so kind."
"We got to go to the library and then out for coffee!"

"And his wife, Rhonda, is really nice too. We stopped in at her work and brought her hot chocolate, but she wasn't there. We helped her one day when they moved their office. Rhonda's awesome. She used to work here!"

They made a sign for Paula's door that said:
PRINCE HARLEY IS IN

They tittered as they commented on the cartoon picture of Harley in a crown: "One of the eyebrows is really fat."

I told them that Ken was actually the Prince and Harley was the frog. They thought that was hilarious.

As Ken took over tonight for his shift, and was handing out meds, they were wondering who would be leading Bible study. He told them it was him and they were elated.

"Pastor Ken, you are really going to teach us Bible study tonight?!"

They turned to me, "How many years have you been married? 16?"

Of course I had to check with Ken as I don't remember such things... "18."

"18! And no kids."

"You girls are my kids."

"Wow! Thanks!! And now we're good kids, too!"

"Yeah! I've been sober 5 months now!

"I've been sober 8 years. I came for my depression."

"Are you depressed?" I asked.

"Just a little bit," she replied, explaining she had just learned that her former common law husband committed suicide by overdose 6 months previous.

I bid my farewell, "Good bye, Prince Ken! Have fun with the women!" I heard more giggles as I slipped out. "Bye Michelle! Good night!!"

Alumni Email Communique

I am writing to let you know that I have applied to a school in Mississauga, Ontario, and have been accepted. To all the women in the Mission, I encourage all of them to follow what the Mission has to say on recovery, because without their help, I would be dead today. I love all of you with the deepest prayers that God will bless you as He has me.

Michelle, I would have left that day if you
did not call me a drama queen.

Take care and hope to see you soon. Melissa.

Introducing Drew

Drew is now on our casual labour crew, hoping to begin an internship when his schooling and upgrading is completed next month. His energy and enthusiasm mark his countenance with daily joy. He is always eager to try new things and offer words of encouragement, even to the staff! He is truly a delight to have around.

His graduation address, written by Melanie, and read by me, follows:

Mr. Andrew Carpenter

Drew also grew up in Wynyard, in a loving family with four siblings. He describes his parents as loving and hard-working, putting family above all else. However, at the age of 13, tragedy struck. His older brother was killed, sending the family into shock and grief. Drew says, “In my grief, I took up a life of debauchery, replacing everything I once held dear to the numbness and escape of alcohol and drugs.”

He began to find some healing in his 20's. He was married and had two children. 10 years later, his wife left him and he found himself alone once again. In Drew's words, “This trauma in my life caused me to reunite with my old companions, alcohol and drugs. I abandoned God, Jesus and all that is good. But rather than dwell on my iniquities of the past, instead I'd sooner convey my expressions of all the blessings now in my life.”

Drew joined the LifeChange Program just over a year ago. He was tired of living his life apart from God and so one day he knelt down and surrendered to Christ, begging Him to come to the rescue. That same day, God opened the doors for Drew to come to the Mission.

Drew has worked through his past and his addiction and is living a new life. He has been taking classes through the Department of Community Resources and plans to begin Rescue College later this summer.

Drew, we are looking forward to seeing a lot more of you in the future!

Congratulations, Lois!

Another one of our 2007 graduates, and personal friend of mine, is Lois. Lois worked with me throughout her program, and beyond, utilizing her strong administrative and typing skills in the office. Here is her graduation introduction.

Ms. Lois Hlady

Lois grew up in the small town of Wynyard, Saskatchewan. She actually went to school with one of Andrew's brothers! [Meet Drew later this week.] She came from a loving family but that love could not spare her from some of life's traumas. She married and became pregnant at the age of 20. During this time she became severely depressed. After her daughter was born, she found herself unable to even speak. Eventually medication helped but within a few years she turned, instead, to alcohol to make herself feel better.

The marriage was trouble and eventually they divorced. She and her daughter, Amanda, began to make it on their own. Lois went to university and got several health care certificates. She was able to provide for her family but battled with alcohol and chronic depression through the years.

When she came to the Mission last September, she had been drinking heavily for the last decade, steadily getting deeper and deeper into the pit of addiction. She finally ended up in the psychiatric ward at the General Hospital. At this point, her family contacted us. Lois agreed to join the program and moved in a short time later.

It was amazing to watch Lois change. Within a few weeks, a new person emerged. People didn't even recognize her anymore; she looked so happy and healthy. She found the Lord at the Mission, and He truly transformed her.

Lois is now living back at her home and enjoying mended relationships with her family. She volunteers once a week looking after the women and children, and we are looking forward to seeing where God leads her in the future.

Meet Marvin Mainville

Dear Michelle and Ken,

I feel I need to do this, as I have surpassed my goal of two years - being alcohol free. It's wasn't easy. Once again I must say, the LifeChange Program I've been through, was indeed a life change, especially for me. To all the staff at the Rescue Mission I thank you all.

Briefly, when I came to the Mission, I was evicted from where I called home. I needed a roof over my head, something to eat, and this was where it could be had. Believe me that was my intention, to find a place and move on. As I progressed through the program my thinking became more clear.

I've been through anger management, I got a certificate for that. As I encounter some workers either in a shop or fast food place, they can manage to anger me but I don't show it or retaliate in the way I used to. I think of the situation. By going to church on Sundays I see God in a different perspective.

Enough of me yakking. What I'm giving you [decorative plate of an Indian Chief] is something I hope you respect. Where you put it I wouldn't know. Michelle you must have your own office. Ken I know you have. To share it, you might have to cut it in half.

Sincerely,

Marvin

PS. I do have lots going on: my brother is in Afghanistan, Phalina is overdue on her pregnancy; a C-section needs to be done. I missed church one Sunday, I do have a picture of my sister.

Marvin was reluctant to go to his graduation ceremony this year at the Love Your Neighbour Fund Raising Banquet. He felt torn between grieving his sister and celebrating his new life. During our last crib game, I asked him if it was worth it.

He looked up at me, smiled, and said, "Well, George wouldn't let me off the hook. He kept insisting." In the end he said it was a very special time made even better by the presence of his granddaughter, Phalina, at the head table with him, Steve Bell, and the grads.

Here is the tribute I read for Marvin at his graduation ceremony on May 9th:

Mr. Marvin Mainville

Marvin stands here a changed man. He grew up in an Ontario border town. He started drinking at 13 years old, crossing the border into Minnesota to get alcohol. Prejudice was rampant at that time and he found himself in in frequent fistfights. Things spiraled downhill and he found himself in a United States Prison. His life was not an easy one and alcohol became a way out.

Marvin came to the LifeChange Program at the Mission several times. Each time he would make it a month or two and then head back to his old life. He wanted to change but the addiction was winning.

In March of 2005 he went to Ontario to attend his father's funeral. When he came back he found himself evicted from his place of residence. With no place to go, the Mission crossed his mind once again. He says that his motivation for coming was a roof over his head and food to eat. Then he planned to start looking for a new place to stay.

It didn't take long this time though for his thinking to start changing. He began to focus on his addiction and surrendered to Christ. He learned how to say no when old friends approached him. Marvin successfully completed an anger management course and learned how to be patient.

I asked Marvin, after all these years, what made the difference now, at 64 years old? Marvin said, “It’s because I have Jesus in my life now, Michelle.”

Congratulations, Marvin!

Annual Love Your Neighbour Fund Raising Banquet & Lifechange Graduation Ceremony

I had been waiting and waiting for the pictures from our Love Your Neighbour Fund Raising Banquet and Graduation. As it turns out, someone put it in our safe when I was on vacation and forgot to tell me about it!

Many thanks to Bruce Vasselin of Designer Photgraphic Technologies, our locally reknowned photographer who gives his time and resources to make this event truly memorable.

This annual gala event was a sell-out with over 1000 people in attendance! With over 100 corporate and church sponsorships, and donations that evening, we raised over $88,000! But the highlight was seeing those 9 graduates and their children walk the stage. Men and women who have climbed out of the gutter, and are now productive members of society. Even our speaker, Juno award winning Steve Bell, said he'd never experienced such an excited and anticipative crowd at a banquet before.

Ladies and gentlemen, I now present the graduating class of 2007!

Some things are just complicated.

Heath stopped by today. He talked to me. He talked to Heather. Seemed to be in good spirits.

I was a bit sad when Heath decided to move out a couple months ago. Heath is not what people would consider to be attractive, and yet, he was my favourite resident.

Heath had a mental illness and a fear of people that prevented him from going to class regularly. He racked up 18 demerits for it! While he showered daily, he still kept his hair scraggly and his nails were very long. We took off demerits for cutting his nails!

He saved one nail. He said, "It's my signature nail!" We took off another couple demerits for cutting it off. Too funny. He was amused, too.

Heath is a vegetarian. Vegan, in fact. He wouldn't even touch cheese. So, how can we get him to help in the kitchen? Aha! Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches! He made hundreds!

One day I found Heath making... CHEESE sandwiches! Horrors!

I said, "Heath, you're touching cheese!

He repeated my words of yesterday, "Well, some things are just complicated."

"You're right, Heath. Life is not always black and white. I'm very proud of you."

Moving Day

I hope you take time to read this through to the end. It's really exciting!

Good Morning! Last night the snow was out of this world so Grant and I had our own pizza party and I worked pretty late. I decided to sleep upstairs with our one remaining woman and her two kids in the Womens Wing.

Today, there is no more Womens Wing! We graduated three women!!

Carol moved home to Saskatoon with her toddler and baby. She is the one who had her baby during the last fund raising banquet. If you recall my blog in May, she had the baby up in the dorms! Therrin was not waiting for anybody! And you had Grant, our Nightwatchman, pacing the halls very nervously! I will miss her little girl very much. Several times a day she would bolt from Mommy and run to knock on the office. Just a little hug and visit, she was "helping" Vicki and I!

Lois, who is moving back to her house in the city and looking for a job. She is in the medical field but would like something else. During the last two weeks of her program she and Debbie became my Office Helpers. Lois is very detail oriented and an incrdibly speedy typist. Thanks to both of them, Vicki and I caught up on four months of filing and four years of donor return mail! Lois is our new Tuesday night Women and Family Home volunteer supervisor!

Debbie begins her new job as Womens Family Home Intern. She has felt the Lord calling her to give back to the Mission and those struggling as she did, by spending two years taking RESCUE college. The first three months she is adjusting to her new role and looking after some personal practical issues like selling her house in North Battleford, and finding software that will help her with her disability. She has hairdresser and accident injuries so can't type. If you have a spare copy of VoiceDragon or a similar program (of good quality/calibur for writing essays) or would like to donate one, please call Debbie at 306-543-0011.

And so, at 6:00 a.m. I ambled down without my hairbrushed, etc. My supplies are in the office. I went looking for cream and Larrie and Drew were up, manning the door for us so no one has to come in at this crazy hour. They looked surprised and said, "Michelle! You're up early!!"

"It's moving day, you know!" I replied.
Larrie offered to make me a toasted bagel but I told him I couldn't eat this early. They told me about the strong fresh coffee. Mmmm. We pondered the origin of coffee--South America, or Africa? We decided both.

So, this morning I have already finished tweaking the moving list. 6 women arrive today and one before 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning! We have toddlers, young kids, moms and single women all making history by being the first to move into our newly renovated Womens Family Centre! It's very exciting to think I can be a part of this time in the life of the Mission.

Grant and I were musing about being here since the beginning and now hardly recognizing the place! New name, new buildings, new staff, new volunteers. The old and familiar is still here, but what a priveledge to have seen this Mission grow from one man on a program which consisted of helping Ken fix up the crack shack, to up to 62 men, women, and children being offered a long term solution for their life controlling problems! Wow!