Wheeler Mission's Blog

Being among the Baby Boomers, I have had the opportunity to watch the generation who has gone before me. They are called “the Veterans,” “the Traditionalists,” or “the Matures” - those born before 1946. These folks are marked by their strong work ethic, patriotism, and a respect for authority. They always pay with cash, and many times prefer to use a rotary phone.

My wife and I had lunch recently with some friends of ours who happen to be part of this group. Don and Ginny are our friends, but they also are faithful donors to Wheeler Mission – and they reflect every characteristic of what researchers describe as “a Veteran.” – and I love that about them!

Even with severe health problems, they still work hard and fill their day with service to others, pray for Wheeler staff and their pastor, and faithfully tend their garden. An American flag is always displayed both outside and inside their home.

Even with the age differences between us – we have something wonderful in common. We all want to “finish well.” Don and Ginny are doing that by continuing to serve the God they love. They push forward even in dark times. Their love for the Lord is solid and deep. This is what the Apostle Paul was talking about when he said “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7). Thank you, Don and Ginny, for your example. I look forward to more times together.

By the way, I paid for my lunch with a credit card. Don and Ginny paid with cash.

Rick

Every once in awhile, someone will ask me what the ‘favorite thing’ might be about my job. After 32 years in Rescue Mission work, I have to say on the top of my list are the graduation ceremonies of the men and women who have come through our year-long addiction recovery programs.

Recently, I attended a graduation ceremony for eight men who attained this status. This means they have been clean and sober for more than a year. Because many of the men in our programs began using drugs or alcohol in their teen years, it takes a year of intense recovery before new life practices and habits can be formed and maintained. The day I write this blog, 62 men and women are involved in long-term recovery at our various sites. Upon graduation, Wheeler’s intensive aftercare program provides ongoing contact and encouragement.

What a blessing to see the changes in their lives… “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God.”

Yes, this is definitely one of my favorite things!

Rick

Every homeless person has their own story – and many of those stories would surprise you. Like the 68 year old woman who had never been to a shelter before, but had no where else to go when she had to move from her son’s home due to abuse.

She came by bus to Indianapolis from somewhere down south, and contacted a priest about a place to stay when she arrived. He directed her to the Wheeler Mission Center for Women and Children. Many times during her stay at the Center, she would say that “God brought me here.” She always had a thankful spirit and would often help and encourage the younger women.

People rarely can work their way out of homelessness alone. That was certainly the case with this elderly woman. Wheeler Case Managers spent several hours gathering information about her case, as they worked toward the goal of finding safe, long-term housing arrangements. This is often a lengthy process as our clients often have multiple needs such as critical health issues which have to be addressed.

This dear lady is now residing in a senior citizen community where she is safe and has access to the care she needs. We are so thankful that we could play a part in “her story.”

Rick

Labels: homelessness, women and children

In the 15th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, we read a story about a young man that is simply called the Prodigal Son. At a fairly early age, this young man was given everything he needed to be successful in life. He had a loving father, access to all his father had, and eventually a share of his father’s estate. Unfortunately for this young man, he decided that the hum-drum work-a-day world was not for him. He chose instead to squander all that he had been given on wild living. As this young man’s resources began to dwindle and the economy took a downturn, he found himself homeless, hungry and in such desperate need that he was longing to eat food usually reserved for pigs.

Like this prodigal son, many men and women today have found themselves in desperate places for a variety of different reasons. Maybe they squandered their resources and potential on wild living. Perhaps it is our current financial downturn that has caused them to be in need. Regardless, the need that they are faced with is very real and often very desperate.

As the prodigal son decided to humbly return to his father, his father provided clean clothes and a meal for his son, and he also put a pair of shoes on his feet. This young man had likely lost or sold the shoes he had which would have caused his journey back home to be difficult and perhaps at times, painful. As the men and women here at Wheeler Mission Ministries get back on their feet, they too struggle at times with pain and difficulty. They too often don’t have some of the basic necessities that we take for granted like food, clothing, shelter and shoes.

We have recently been privileged to be able to partner with Nashville, Tennessee-based Soles4Souls™ and The Finish Line to distribute nearly 10,000 pairs of shoes to the needy of our community and those around the state. On June 1st we began the phase one of handing out shoes and what a blessing it was to see people’s faces light up when they received a brand new pair of shoes!

It is because of organizations like Soles4Souls™ and The Finish Line; as well as our tremendous volunteers and donors that we at Wheeler Mission have had the great pleasure to see many prodigal sons return to their Heavenly Father and begin a walk with Christ that lasts a lifetime.

(Nashville-based Soles4Souls™ facilitates the donations of both new and used shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Soles4Souls has distributed more than 5 million pairs (currently donating one pair every 13 seconds) to people in over 125 countries, including Honduras, Uganda, Romania, and the United States. Visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.)

Rick

Labels: shoes