Wheeler Mission's Blog

We're past the holiday season now. It seems like people are busier than ever from November through January. These times can be hectic as we juggling family gatherings, work Christmas parties, church and school plays, shopping, and serving others who aren't blessed with family. Even during the busiest times, it's clear to us at Wheeler Mission that the community of Indianapolis is one that is very giving and caring. In a time that can tend to be all about us, the community showed that it's more importantly about others.

During Thanksgiving and Christmas, we had hundreds of volunteers serve at our facilities. We even had a waiting list for people to help. Men, women, and children were met all holiday season with hot meals, friendly faces, and warm greetings. Children in our Center for Women & Children were given presents during Christmas. Also, the men in our Hebron Addiction Recovery program who are fathers were provided with presents to give to their sons and daughters. Our donation dock filled quickly every day as people came out to give. The list goes on and on about how churches and individuals served the homeless, the poor, and the addicted we have utilizing our facilities. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus says that when you meet the needs of the poor, you're serving Him. You as a community stepped up to serve "the least of these", and for that I know you'll be blessed.

So as the holidays are now over, let's remember that the poor are still among us. We're seeing around 500 people in our facilities each night, seeking shelter from the deadly elements. Please continue to join us in this act of giving, supporting those who need us most.

Rick

My mother-in-law, who is now in her 80’s, picked up a new hobby about 20 years ago. She went to the craft store and picked up a canvas along with some brushes and paint, and began creating oil paintings of flowers. Since then, she has shown her natural ability to create some beautiful pieces and has even won ribbons at some local art competitions.

She had a hidden talent.

I see this happening many times in the lives of our clients. This week, a lady will graduate from our addiction recovery program. In the past few months, she has given herself over to learning a trade based on her enjoyment of cooking. She has come to find out that hiding inside her was a huge ability to decorate cakes in a way that would win ribbons! She has taken cake decorating classes, and even attended Second Helpings Culinary Training and received her State recognized ServSafe Certification. Her talents, once hidden due to her addiction, are now in the forefront of her life and have given her the ability to live an independent, self-sustaining life. She has come a long way!

Thanks for supporting our programs. In some cases, you may be helping people find talents they never knew they possessed!

Rick

Someone has once said that getting information off the internet is like getting a drink from a fire hydrant. Choosing different search engines will help you garner collected facts about any subject you can imagine.

My 85 year old mother gets online to find out the weather forecast, why her hydrangeas aren’t blooming, and to discover a new recipe to take to the potluck dinner at church. My son is a fan of nfl.com and nba.com. I can be found Googling in search for information to fix my fireplace flue or find best practice methods at other missions around the country.

Yes, there is something for everyone on the internet. I trust you are putting this great tool to good and godly use. Next time to go online, why not stop by Wheeler’s website at www.wheelermission.org to get the latest information about our ministry. There you will find some great testimonials, locate a current needs list, read a little of our 117 year history, or look at our staff bios. I guarantee you will find out something you didn’t know about Wheeler Mission Ministries!

And remember to put that fire hydrant to good and godly use!

Rick

Twenty one years ago, a man stayed at Wheeler Mission. He said he was here because “he was having some bad luck.” He remembers it as if it was yesterday. He received a meal and a safe place to sleep, but what he recalls most is that “they didn’t make me feel bad about my position.”

Requesting help from a mission can be traumatic. Many people walk through the door covered with a sense of humiliation. This man remembers that the staff “greeted him with a smile,” and treated him with respect. And now some twenty one years later, he sent a gift to Wheeler with a note, “we give this year because we can.”

A little kindness can go a long way for people having some “bad luck!”

Rick

It’s said that a New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. I know that to be true, so my resolution is to never make resolutions on January 1!

Instead, I like the idea of setting goals. I’ve set some goals this year pertaining to our ministry here at Wheeler, for time spent with my family, for my involvement in church. How about you?

Proverbs 16:3 says to “commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” If you haven’t done so already – why not take some time this week to pray about what you would want the Lord to do through your life this year. Then set some goals so you will stay on target!

Rick