Hurricane Season at SHRM

Our Head Chaplain wrote The Joy Club (our staff e-list) this encouragement letter today. He called it, Hurricane Season, at SHRM.

Right now there is a seemingly devastating hurricane of trouble, sickness and loss pounding on the doors of the Mission and on each of our minds and hearts. There are people too injured or sick to work, family members that are sick, allegations and accusations against staff, difficulties with staff and clients, and many of you feeling at your wits end. We might well ask "What is happening around here?" or "What is God doing?" or "Where is God in all of this? These are questions that always arise in times of trouble and trials of faith?"

If you have a few minutes, read Job Chapter 23. If anyone ever wondered why everything was falling apart it was Job. He looked for God but couldn't find him. Yet in verse 10 he says "BHt he knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold." This testing of faith is never fun. It almost breaks us; it almost turns us bitter. But right now, in the middle of the storm, is when we must pray for each other and hold on till it is over.

We don't know the exact outcome of our labours and our trials but one day we will know it fully under the clear blue skies of heaven. We'll be able to look back along with Job and say, "That was an awful, tough time. But God used it. God was doing something bigger than I knew.

Jesus said "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

A resident came to me today to tell me she had become a believer in Jesus Christ. That's Gold. Pure Gold. God is up to something, and it's going to be good. The Devil and the world will come at us to sift us like wheat. He will expose our chaff and we will be embarrassed by it. But the wheat that is left is what God is after.

I encourage you to pray in the next week for several things:
1. Staff who are sick, tired or both to get healing, energy and peace.
2. The Mission to be protected from harm.
3. Wisdom for leadership and Board of Directors meeting March 11th.
4. Staff needed to cover gaps at office, shelters, daycare, etc.
5. Funds to finish renovating the youth centre.

I invite you to take one hour in your "prayer closet" sometime soon. Maybe add a fast by skipping a meal. As often as you see a staff member or think of them, say a prayer for them this week.

-Ken

Snow Day!

RIGHT: A man and woman are snowblowing my street this morning! How generous is that?!

There is usually at least one blizzard a year that keeps half the staff from being able to go to work. Today is the day. The timing, of course, is never great. This Friday is our Grand Opening Celebration at our brand new Little Souls Daycare, and we are nowhere near ready. We need to hire workers, fill children's slots, & finish assembling the furniture & play structures. All those last minute details, added onto one snow day, means some late nights for us as staff later in the week!

Rebecca, our LifeChange Program Manager, declared it a SNOW DAY for the 30+ residents at the campus. While Jack and Paula enjoy a month in Florida, Becca is also campus manager, which means looking after details for the 2 buildings which house our program, administrative teams, & Good News Chapel. Oh, and while Erin is enjoying beautiful BC, Becca is also the Women & Family Home resident manager. Yup. That's right. Three hats and a blizzard.

Aaron, our Emergency Services Manager, is making sure all 300 meals get served today. We normally cook all our food, banquet style, at the Soup Kitchen, and transport it to several facilities. Today the van has been decommissioned, so each location is responsible for their own cooking. It is Aaron's job to coordinate that.

Several staff are snowed in, including Mandy, our Little Souls Daycare Director. Today, she is working from home, recruiting & interviewing potential staff, informing folks of our 30 available licensed daycare slots, & preparing a to do list for us so we can all make the rest of the week smoother and ready for our grand opening on Friday, and our first day of kids next Monday!

This morning Mandy spoke on The Dog's Breakfast to promote our January Toy Drive. Brad Grass said that now they know she lives two blocks away they might call her in on a moment's notice for any storm stayed guests who can't make it this week!

We're thankful for some staff who live within walking distance who have saved the day: Rebecca, Rae, & Ruby, for instance! Others are not so lucky. While representing us at a missions conference at Millar College of the Bible, Intern Stephanie and LifeChange Program Intern, Theresa, have been storm stayed! Donovan, in charge of all construction on the St. Andrews project for our daycare and youth centre, got a flat tire this morning, and Derrick, who is the only office staff not storm stayed, has to go to emergency for a bout of gout! When it rains, it pours. When it snows, it blizzards!

Most of all, please remember the homeless in your prayers at this time. Our January Cold Weather Shelter appeal is out and we are asking for a generous financial response. We turn no one away this time of year, as the consequences can be fatal. Our Mens & Womens Emergency Shelters house singles, families and children who would otherwise be sleeping in cars or who knows where. And please don't forget to make an extra donation to help Haiti, via the relief organization of your choice. They're fate is far worse than a winter storm.

The Pool of Bethesda

The Pool of Bethesda today.

Back in Jesus' day, there was a man by the pool of Bethesda for nearly 40 years, waiting for healing. Traditionally, as the waters would get stirred up, one would dip themselves in, expectant of a miracle. Jesus walked up to this man, and said, "Don't you want to be made whole?"

He did, of course, but replied, "I have no one to put me into the water."

That's what we do at the Mission. We help people into the healing waters of a changed life. They have to want it. And we don't actually make the change for them. It's a lot of hard work on their part, and much prayer and patience on ours.

No one wants to touch the men and women with palsy. The ones full of sin, and lives that have been tainted with things that most of us wouldn't want to go near, much less hear about.

And so our RESCUE team, a committed group of staff members and volunteers, agree to sacrifice their own time and conveniences, not only to touch the ones with palsy, but to enter into their world and offer them a changed life.

*Psalm 103:1-5*

I've been under the weather lately, and was encouraged to receive a blessing from our newest staff member, Mandy Bull, who is our Assistant Director at Little Souls Daycare. She makes a wonderful addition to our RESCUE team!

Bless the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me,
bless HIS holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

-I hope that encourages you...I know that I find strength in the Word when I feel like I can't take another step forward! God bless Michelle!

~Mandy

I work with such a wonderful group of people!

A Call to Christians in the City

Planning to go. Willing to stay.
Anywhere. Anytime. Anyway.
Lord, I am ready.

Silver and gold have I none,
but such as I have
I give to Thee.

Here I am Lord! Send me!

Job Openings

Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission is looking for Christian workers! Salary commensurate with experience. Benefit package & potential housing options included. 3 weeks vacation to start. Must have valid drivers licence.


Women’s Resident Manager - Women & Family Home LifeChange Program. Will be responsible for staff & volunteers. Charge & oversight of the LifeChange Program, a long-term, residential program for 9 female residents & their children. The program is for women with life controlling problems such addiction, mental illness, homelessness & joblessness. The Resident Manager is an advocate for them, and must be able to enforce rules in a loving manner. Must be computer savvy.


Shift Supervisor – A woman to work evenings and weekends with our female guests and residents. This position is primarily at the Women & Family Home (see above) but may include shift filling at our Women & Family Emergency Shelter. Must be able to enforce rules, keep progress notes, & have a listening ear. (Some janitorial, stairs & lifting.)


Public Relations Manager – A gregarious, yet organized person to be the face of the Mission. Must be able to remember facts, analyze numbers & make projections, and ask for money. Must be well spoken & clean cut, and have a passion for the poor & needy, as well as a heart for sales & marketing. Experience in public speaking & media required. Must not be camera or crowd shy.


Daycare Director – Start up Inner city daycare for 60 children. Must have ECE 3. Will be responsible to create a program and hire the staff to maintain it. Must be highly administrative, computer savvy, & have a love for children.


Daycare Assistant Director – ECE 2


Daycare Workers – ECE 1



Call Melanie at 543-0011 for more information or submit your resume to mhack.shrm@gmail.com or drop it off 24/7 at 3535 – 8th Avenue.

Guest Blog: Jenna Fisher

I couldn't concentrate during staff devotions today, because I noticed that all of the staff in the room were wearing blue. Then, progressively throughout the day, more and more staff wearing blue starting showing up for work. Even our volunteer office receptionist was wearing blue. We didn't even plan this. It was funny. Our Executive Director is in San Diego for AGRM board meetings, so we e-mailed her this picture and said, "We're blue without you."

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.

Tropical Paradise

This webcam is attached to our beautiful Hawaiian condo. If you keep it on long enough you'll see Ken and I going back and forth to the beach all day long! Aloha!!

To view the page, go to:
http://www.mycampage.com/cheeseburgerlandwaikikibeach

Enjoy!

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

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.

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.

Leap Day Baby Born!

Congratulations go out to Jon and Vicki Hack on the birth of their leap year daughter, Micaiah (Muck-eye-ah)Ruth, born yesterday morning, a whopping 9lbs and 4 oz.

Jon is our volunteer webmaster, and his wife, Vicki, is my assistant. It's going to be a long year without her as she enjoys being a new mom. (Yes, Canadians get a whole year off when they have a baby!)

Pray for baby in NICU for observation.

Two New Recruits!

A new era has dawned and we FINALLY have been able to hire a full time LifeChange Campus Women & Family Home Resident Manager. Okay, so maybe we want to look at changing her title. BUT, nonetheless, let me just tell you that Rebecca Cochrane may be new to the payroll, but she's no stranger to the ministry of RESCUE.

Becca has interned here under the University of Regina, in her mini-practicum and has almost completed all of her Rescue College! She's our first employee with a social work degree, so we're all pretty thrilled with that!

What this means for Paula is that she can focus on directing the department, as well as take on some new duties such as client database administration (her forte) and other things the rest of us feel a little overwhelmed to tackle!

Welcome too, to Derrick Moore, who has been a guest blogger on and off in Mission Musings. Derrick has been interning since... well, it seems like the beginning of time.

Derrick has been hired as a Public Relations Assistant. Donor relations is very near and dear to MY heart, so I am so excited to have someone likeminded to share in this amazing ministry to those of you who pray and support us with your time and finances. It's a priveledge to have someone who cares for our partners in this way! With his background in sales, he is thankful to now be using his talents and training for the Lord's work.

You may be hearing from him in the near future as he solicits sponsors for our 2008, fifth annual Love Your Neighbour Fund Raising Banquet. Please say "yes!"

Rescue ministry is a special vocation that takes a call and committment of dedication and perseverance. These two have shown that they are here for the long haul, and have been excited right along with us as we experience this rapid growth and change together.

Welcome to the RESCUE Team!

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!