Wheeler Mission's Blog

A couple times a year, we arrange a luncheon for those who have recently joined Wheeler’s staff. This week, my wife, Julie, and I joined 17 new staff members who each shared a little about themselves and their position at Wheeler. It was an encouraging time together and it reminded me why I enjoy my ministry here so much! There are so many gifted, compassionate, dedicated folks who have a desire to serve the Lord in this place.

Please pray for the Lord to grant wisdom to our staff as they reach out daily to those who have come through our doors. Even during the summer months, there are hundreds of men, women, and children residing with us. It is our goal to provide more than a meal and a place to sleep. Our desire is clearly explained in our vision statement: To see every man, woman, and child we serve equipped to be productive citizens who enjoy lasting success in Christ.

And now, we have 17 new staff members working to see that happen!

Rick

Did you ever have one of those moments when you just “woke up” – when you had epiphany? It can happen anywhere really, but for one man I know, it happened in the Wheeler Mission Dining Hall.
After spending some time in the hospital due to an injury he received while living on the streets, the hospital staff paid his cab fare to take him to Wheeler Mission. He had nowhere else to turn, as he had burned all his bridges with this family due to his alcoholism.
A few days later, as he sat having his dinner, he looked around and concluded, “I am as lost as I can be.” He spoke with a Case Manager, who referred him to Wheeler’s Hebron Addiction Recovery Program, where, in his words, he “took a good hard look” at himself.
After more than 25 years of alcoholism, he has been sober for more than a year, is a graduate of the program, has a job, keeps in touch with his accountability partners, and is active in his church. He now is earning his own way and giving back to the others instead of just taking. He says he found his way through a relationship with Christ.
In Luke 15, Jesus speaks about lost sheep, lost coins, and lost sons being found. That’s just what happened in the Wheeler Mission Dining Hall!

Thanks for reading!
Rick

Labels: alcoholism

Several years ago, a lady came to our shelter after losing her home, her job, and her marriage due to alcoholism. She had been living in her car for a few days, and she came to our women’s Center “just to have somewhere to lie down and sleep.” She had no intention of staying for more than a day or two.
But after a few days, a staff member gently asked her if she wanted a different life. The lady had never considered that before. Her alcoholism kept her from thinking about the future. A little apprehensive about the possibility, she still agreed to enter the addiction recovery program. One step at a time, she completed the program. That was almost 10 years ago.
Now, she has a job, a home, a church, and a car that is used only for transportation. She said the other day, “I didn’t realize how many people were helping me as I went through the program.” She was speaking of the donors who support this ministry.
Thanks so much to all of you who help our guests have a different life!
Rick

Labels: alcoholism, homelessness