First Baptist Church in Festus/Crystal City (Adult 4 Sunday School Class)

Thank You Letter From Vanita

Casie's Letter

Chris's Thank You Letter

Robert B.'s Testimony

Our goal is to do much more than take care of homeless men overnight. We want to help our men address the issues that have caused them to be homeless and then work with them to re-enter the mainstream of life.

My husband and myself recently took a much-needed mini-vacation. While we were in Chicago, we visited my cousin's Art Gallery. After exchanging hugs and updating family news, the conversation turned to Jefferson County Rescue Mission. My cousin, Pat Albano, and his partner gave us a donation for the Mission. Pat informed me that the money came from the sale of artwork by a painter named Joseph Delaney. In the 1920's, Joseph Delaney lived in New York City in Greenwich Village, in an impoverished housing situation. He himself was on the brink of homelessness. This African-American abstract painter loved people and loved the outdoors, which is reflected in his artwork. His work is currently displayed in the Chicago Art Institute, the National Museum of American Art, the Knoxville Art Museum, and other major art collections. My cousin Pat and his partner purchased Mr. Delaney's artwork. Part of the proceeds of the sale of his work, interestingly enough, goes to help the homeless. How thrilled Mr. Delaney would have been to know that some of the money from his artwork went to Jefferson County Rescue Mission!

In anyone is interested in purchasing this artwork, contact:

Patrick Albano
Aaron Galleries
50 East Oak Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Dear everyone at the Rescue Mission,

I would like to thank everyone for all the kindness you showed me with my food box and my "goodie" basket you gave me out of your hearts to make sure I had a wonderful Christmas.

You could never imagine how much this meant to me because living on a fixed income and not being able to work because I now have cancer it's not always easy to make it month to month but with people like you in the world I know I can make it.

Also thank you so much for the food and clothes you give to me all year long. I love you all. You all will have a special place in my heart.

Love always,

Your friend

I am a 53-year young man that the Jefferson County Rescue Mission is helping out. The Mission is providing me a place to sleep and breakfast and dinner every day. They are also helping me find a place to live, by providing people and apartment complexes addresses and phone numbers. The Mission has also state that they would be willing to help me in other ways.

I would like to say a very grateful thank you to them.

Thank you!!

P.S. There are rules that I am asked to follow, but they are fair rules. I don't mind following them at all.

My name is Bob and I'm a 60 yr. old man who has stayed at the Mission for one week.

My situation is one that I needed a place to stay for a while very quickly.

The Mission accepted me right away and helped me with both kindness and security of a place to rest, have food and the peace of mind to know that every day is new and positive changes are possible.

Everyone is 100% helpful and the building is very clean and comfortable.

I hope someday I will help other, knowing that many people care about others.

Thanks very much.

Thank you so much for all you do for the least of God's people.

May God bless you one and all.

I'd like to thank all the staff at Rescue Mission for your assistance and help, during my time of need.

May you all have a very blessed Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Thanks again!

J

Often we think of the homeless men as drunks of drug addicts on the street. This is not always the case. Many people are homeless because of loss of employment, marital problems, etc. A young man in his late 20’s came to us in such circumstances. He didn’t know whom he could talk to about his problems. We explained our program to him and he was anxious to give it a try. During his 30 day here, “Jim” found a job at one of our local restaurants. His employer was very pleased with his work so he was soon promoted at his job. With a little assistance, he found an apartment to rent. “Jim” became established at a local church. Things were looking good for him. I’ve been informed that “Jim” has started building bridges between his wife and himself. I don’t know whether their relationship will be completely healed but “Jim” is now seeing his children on a regular basis. I don’t know anything more about his personal situation, but I do know that while he stayed here at the shelter, he found hope, peace and a better opinion of himself. This is what the Rescue Mission Ministry is all about.

You have heard of puppies and kittens being left on one’s doorstep. This story is about a 43-year man being left at the top of our ramp, in a wheel chair.

Early one evening, I received a call from a lady on a cell phone, asking me if we could shelter a homeless man in a wheel chair. I explained that our facility is not set up to accommodate someone with this type disability. However, I offered the names of organizations that might be able to assist her. The lady became very agitated with me an accused me of being non-caring. I explained to her that our bedrooms are all on the second floor and also explained that even if this were not the case, the man could not manage a bunk bed. Also, our bathing facility is not handicap accessible.

The lady went on to say that the man had been robbed of his money and she also said that she would not take no for an answer. Again, I suggested calling other organizations that were equipped to handle this type of situation.

In about half an hour, I got a call from the Pevely Police Department, telling me this lady was planning to leave the man at their station. Pevely Police told her to follow through on contacts I had given her. It wasn’t long after that conversation with the police that my phone rang again and our man at the desk informed me that “John Doe” was in his wheel chair, alone, at the top of our ramp. All this took place late on a Friday night. What was I to do?

Our night man wheeled “John Doe” inside and sat him in front of the TV; he provided sandwiches and drink for the man. Then followed a long period of many phone calls. Finally about 10 P.M., I was able to contact the hospital chaplain and the DeSoto Ministerial Alliance. Between the three of us, we were able to arrange to have the Pevely Police provide transportation of our guest to a local motel for the weekend.

Each time my husband and I brought food to the gentleman, we learned a little more about him. Besides the loss of his leg, he had experience three strokes, which left him impaired to use his right side. Back to the phones again.

By Monday morning, we were able to get John Doe into skilled nursing residential care. Our friend had truly been robbed of his disability money. People at the facility were willing to work with him.

The last thing I heard was that “John Doe” was happy in his environment and we were assured that all his needs were being met. I am sure that the lady that left him at our door like a little stray pup saw the extreme need, but obviously did not know how to cope with it. This is why it is so important for our Rescue Mission to remain here so that we might serve the hurting people of our community.

I want to take the time to say thank you, to you our readers, for the money and other gifts that you bring to Jefferson County Rescue Mission.

Very Faithfully,

Louise Sardo