True-Life Stories of God’s Provision Through You! January/February 2020

Transforming Lives in Times of Crisis

by Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min. President

On any given day, homelessness here in Milwaukee is heartbreaking, tragic and overwhelming. But now it is even more so given the threats presented by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The struggling men, women and children who come to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission arrive devastated for so many different reasons: poverty, hunger, addictions, childhood abuse and neglect, poor educational backgrounds, a lack of job skills, a lifetime of emotional trauma — unfortunately, the list can go on and on.

And, under the threat of this virus, those who are homeless or struggling are even more vulnerable. As public places and meal sites have had to close or reduce their services, these precious souls have less access to the vital food, resources and care they need to remain healthy and safe.

Homelessness is complicated, and usually there is no single solution to help someone change their circumstances. That’s why, thanks to your generosity, we offer people many different avenues to recovery: hot meals, safe shelter, counseling, education, job training, work therapy, Bible studies, spiritual nurture and so much more. And all these can help someone recover and head down a better path.

And the answer to that kind of change is not complicated. The answer lies in an empty tomb and a risen Savior. Transformation and new life are only possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—through Easter.

The Easter message of hope is at the core of everything we do. It’s the miracle that transforms lives—and God is using you to make those miracles possible every day at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. Thank you for being a partner with us in this miraculous ministry.

May God grant you a safe, healthy and blessed Easter,

Patrick H. Vanderburgh, D.Min.
President


Coming Back to Christ

It all happened so slowly. Day by day, drink by drink, Phillip’s life was slipping away. But he couldn’t see it. Or he didn’t want to see it—until one morning last winter when he looked in a mirror and didn’t recognize the man staring back. What happened?

“I was raised by godly parents who loved the Lord and loved me,” he says. “I was protected, cared for and happy. I didn’t know anything about drugs or alcohol. After high school, I got a job as a painter and started living on my own. But I wasn’t ready to deal with everyday life.”

Phillip drifted from God and started drinking. Not a lot, just enough to take the edge off. But life kept getting harder. His best friend died, so he drank more. He became a father, so he drank to cope with the responsibility. In 2008, the recession hit and work became scarce. Then there were car issues, relationship issues, money issues. More and more, alcohol became Phillip’s crutch as he started losing jobs, losing friends, disappointing his daughter and messing up again and again.

“But I could never see it,” he says. “Not until that day I looked in the mirror. I felt so much shame and embarrassment. I finally had to admit it. I was an alcoholic. And it was time to change. I came to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, because I knew I had to get God back in my life.”

From day one, Phillip turned his life over to Christ. He surrendered everything, and in return, Christ surrounded him with a community of godly men all committed to one thing—”getting our lives back on track, living the lives God intended for us, and doing it together. We pray together, encourage each other and lift each other up in the Lord.”

“Today, I’m sober and I’m filled with a joy I haven’t known since I was a child—because someone like you cared,” Phillip adds. “You don’t even know me, but your support for the Milwaukee Rescue Mission and your love for people like me changed my life. Thank you!”


Will You Pray with Us?

PLEASE PRAY FOR…

  • Safety, nourishment and hope for homeless men, women and children seeking help and encouragement at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Wisdom, health and strength for our staff as we minister to our hurting neighbors in Christ’s name.
  • Our donors and volunteers, as they seek to compassionately help those in need while sheltering in place.
  • Peace in Milwaukee’s disadvantaged neighborhoods and guidance for our Cross Trainers Academy students as they continue their studies through distance learning.
  • Protection for Milwaukee’s emergency personnel and medical staff as they protect the most vulnerable in our community.



Shawnna’s New Path of Hope

Tragedy, chaos and homelessness followed Shawnna for much of her life. Disappointment and heartache were all too familiar.

It didn’t start out that way. “I had the best mom ever,” she says. “Homemade meals, she protected me, every day she said she loved me, she was awesome.”

But Shawnna’s self esteem suffered as she struggled with learning disabilities at school. Despite her mother’s protection and encouragement, Shawnna’s life began to stray. In high school, she was sexually assaulted. Then, at 22, she gave birth to her son, Jaydin. Shortly after, Shawnna’s precious mother was diagnosed with cancer.

To cope with single motherhood, working and caring for her dying mother, Shawnna began taking pain pills. Sadly, things went from bad to worse when her mother passed away. Devastated, lost and facing homelessness, Shawnna started using heroin—wrecking not only her health, but her hope.

“Between my addiction and depression, my body got weak. I caught pneumonia,” Shawnna says. “I was basically dying. And I was okay with that, I really was.”

Though she recovered, another gut-wrenching loss followed. Her once-absent father died of an overdose just as she was rebuilding a relationship with him.

After another rocky living situation fell apart, Shawnna needed help. Overwhelmed with grief and stress, and on the verge of homelessness again, she turned to Joy House, where she found stability for herself and 9-year-old Jaydin—and a new path for her life. “Joy House got me in touch with God and Jesus again. They gave me hope, and a chance to reevaluate,” Shawnna says.

Soon, they will move to new housing, forever changed by Joy House and the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. “I am so grateful for all the donors who gave me this second chance when I needed it most. And to Joy House, for showing me the love of Jesus and His forgiveness and giving me the chance to get my life back on track.”


Banquet Update!

In light of the Coronavirus situation, we are understanding that our Faces of Hope annual banquet, originally scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2020, at Discovery World, may be canceled or postponed. Please contact events@milmission.org or call 414-935-0253 for more information.