Wheeler Mission's Blog

Now that winter’s over, we’re gearing up for our annual homelessness awareness event, the Camp Out to Stamp Out Homelessness & Music Fest on June 15 and 16. This is our third year hosting this event downtown at the American Legion Mall and, each year, God has brought an interesting twist. The first year we did this, we were having a great time. The first band, made up of graduates of our addiction recovery program, went on-stage to play. They played about three songs, and a storm opened up and didn’t stop until 3AM. We originally were upset that the other bands weren’t able to play, but after the event, I saw a video of some testimonies of participants who were saying how much the event impacted them. One said, “When the skies open up, the homeless on the streets don’t have tents in which take cover, so it made perfect sense for us to stay.” Year one was wet and messy, but it brought an incredible experience. Last year, we had an awesome turnout and everyone had a ton of fun, listening to the band lineup, hearing testimonies of people who were once homeless, and eating great food off the grill. However, for us who help plan the event, we kept a careful eye on a large storm cell that was closing in, only to have it stay just to the north of the park. Now, we aren’t in any way trying to simulate homelessness at this event. I mean, sleeping in a Eureka tent isn’t exactly what you call being “down and out”, but having the stress of wondering if you’ll be able to sleep at night because a big storm might come in and wreck your shelter is something that we don’t normally have to think of. It makes you appreciate what you have that much more. This year, with the Hunter Smith Band and artists provided by Shine.FM, I’m really looking forward to seeing the community come together for this Christian music festival in downtown Indianapolis. I’m also looking forward to seeing people get plugged in, taking action to help the homeless of our great community. But, as before, I know that this year will bring excitement and provide stories for us all to tell those who couldn’t come, about how we slept under the city lights, and God provided His own forms of entertainment and lessons. Please join me on June 15 and 16. Go to www.campoutindy.org for more information and to register. Rick

I attended the graduation of a lady who completed Wheeler’s Higher Ground Addiction Recovery Program, then stayed on an extra year to participate in our internship program called Servant Leadership Training. Her story is compelling. Addiction had a tight grip on her. She lived in constant chaos. So when she came to the Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children – she brought that chaos with her. She stirred things up everywhere she went. In her late 30’s, she had never learned how to sit still, converse with people politely, or know the difference between being a friend and being a con. Drugs and chaos were in control of her life. As she relates her journey over the past few years, she says when she first arrived, she “didn’t know how to live.” She tells the story of how people cared for her and taught her about the God who created her, and whose desire it was for her to honor Him with her life. This was a foreign concept to her. But the Lord broke through all the chaos, and now, she has a brand new life of peace and purpose. She has learned how to live. Thanks for praying for the women in our Higher Ground Program. If you would be so inclined, please feel free to write a note of encouragement to them. Simply address it to: Wheeler Mission Higher Ground Addiction Recovery Program 205 East New York St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Thanks so much! Rick

“I’ve spent too many years chasing something.” That’s what a man told me who was graduating from Wheeler’s Addiction Recovery Program for men. He said he walked out on his wife and young daughter many years ago due to his addiction. He spent decades in the grip of alcohol, all the while trying to find peace that seemed to elude him. He was looking for peace of mind and heart. Now, he says, he finds peace in being obedient to God. He encourages others who are just beginning the journey to sobriety to also follow the path of obedience. Are you chasing something? Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Yes, if you are chasing peace – you need to be running to Him. Rick

Have you ever had a traumatic experience? Perhaps even thinking about that question brought back some bad memories.
Undergoing homelessness is a traumatic experience that often displays itself in depression, emotional numbing, difficulty concentrating or remembering, feeling helpless, shame, and turning to substance abuse to deal with life. A person who is experiencing homelessness over time will develop fear, hopelessness, loss of health, loss of dignity, and loss of identity.
Over and over again, as we minister to those who have come through our doors, we find these normal reactions to this trauma. Please pray for those who have come to Wheeler for assistance. These precious people are broken and need to hear about a God who loves them. Knowing there are people who want will listen and show genuine love and concern will begin to restore hope.
Pray for our staff as they “put on a heart of compassion” in their daily ministry to our guests.
Thanks so much for your interest in the homeless and in Wheeler.

Rick

It’s Holy Week. It’s the week between Palm Sunday and Easter when Christians think about the final week of Jesus’ life. It’s a great opportunity for us to reflect on the basics of our faith.

On Palm Sunday, my Pastor reminded us of this very thing. He said the surpassing worth in life is knowing Jesus Christ as Lord.

How well do you know Him? Spend some time this Holy Week making a concerted effort to spend some time getting to know Christ more deeply. Here are some Scripture passages to help you in your reflection:

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Revelation 5:13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

May you be blessed as you focus on Christ this week.
Rick

Labels: Who is Jesus?

How do you stay focused on the things that are most important in life? That’s a question that was posed to the ladies in the final phase of our Higher Ground Addiction Recovery Program.
One of the ladies, whose life was ruled by her alcoholism for more than two decades, came up with five Core Values to help her “keep the main thing the main thing.” Sober now for more than two years, she has asked that her friends and family keep her accountable to these Core Values:
• I will fully trust God
• I will be truthful
• I will teach my children and grandchild about God
• I will love others with all my heart
• I will study God’s Word
She tells me that while deep in her years of alcoholism, dishonesty and selfishness were the marks of her life. Now, she has shown over and over again that she is a new person in Christ – the old has passed away and the new has come.
Her work is not over. In many ways, it’s just beginning. Coming up with these Core Values will be a great reminder to her to “keep the main thing the main thing.”

Thanks for praying for our guests who are working hard in our Addiction Recovery Programs!
Rick

Labels: addiction recovery accountability

Yes, you read that correctly – Nisi Dominus Frustra. It’s a Latin phrase taken from a translation of Psalm 127 which states, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” or “without the Lord, frustration.”

Frustration. I’ve seen it so many times when the safety net of a stable family life is removed and a young mom and her children must enter Wheeler’s Center for Women and Children. Yes, unless the Lord builds the house….frustration.”

Frustration. I’ve seen it in the face of a mom and dad who are bringing their son to Wheeler due to his downward spiral into the depths of addiction, and his rejection of “a house” that the Lord wanted to build.

Frustration. When a man or woman has had 18 job interviews but no job offers.

But…we are not without an answer to frustration. God changes things. We serve the God of all hope, the God of all comfort, the Sovereign God who has numbered the hairs on our heads. Yes, in place of frustration, we can have hope. As we make concerted efforts through case management meetings, counseling sessions, and relationship building with our guests we see frustration turn into hope.

Thanks for your interest in Wheeler Mission. I encourage you to pray that those who enter our doors will leave with hope in the Lord!

Rick

Labels: frustration and hope