FALL ISSUE 2019

Holland Rescue Mission | 661 East 24th Street, Suite 300 | Holland, MI 49423 | (616) 396-2200 | hollandrescue.org

A publication of Holland Rescue Mission hollandrescue.org

My Heart of Thanksgiving for You! page 2

A Thanksgiving to Rememberpage 2

“Somebody my grandma can be proud of.”page 3

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LONNY WANTS TO

Thank YouLonny’s heart is full of thanksgiving becauseof God’s love & your generosity!

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Lonny started drinking from his dad’s beer cans at 8 years old, and was an alcoholic by age 10.

“My mom was a drug addict and my dad was an alcoholic, so it’s just what I’ve known since I was little.”

Lonny’s parents divorced, and he was raised by his dad and abusive stepmom. He spent more than 20 years drinking and using drugs to cover up the pain. His grandma was the only person he could count on to love him no matter what he did or how bad things got.

His turning point came when he was released from prison and became homeless. Lonny came to Holland Rescue Mission and his entire outlook changed when he developed a real relationship with God.

“When things were rough, I used to call upon God. When things were good, I handled everything myself… or so I thought, till God placed me at the Mission.”

Lonny entered our Gateway long-term recovery program, and in addition to his daily classes and counseling sessions, the Lord laid it upon his heart to serve others.

“I used to be a very selfish person. But then I became that guy talking with people and praying for somebody when they needed it. It was a good feeling for me.”

Other staff members and guests took note of Lonny’s actions, and he was soon asked to be a residential assistant. The Lord then opened up a position on staff, and today Lonny serves as a Ministry Support Coordinator, working with guests who have mental health issues.

“God put me through all the worst possible things in my life so today, right now, He can use me as a gift to help another man who is going through trouble in his life.”

Because of your generosity, Lonny’s heart has been filled with thanksgiving… and God’s love! “Since coming to the Mission, I’m a messenger and a warrior of God. I’m somebody my grandma can be proud of.”

“As a man, having to admit that you’re homeless and you need help

is hard to do sometimes.”

SOMEBODY MY GRANDMA CANBE proud of.”

It can be hard to find something to celebrate on Thanksgiving when you’re struggling with poverty, homelessness or addiction. But you can

help put smiles on faces and joy in the hearts of our hurting neighbors by volunteering at this year’s Annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet!

We have the following volunteer opportunities available either before or after the event, so you can choose what best fits your schedule:

• Fill a care box with requested items• Donate pies or turkeys to help fill our pantry• Help with meal prep to get food ready• Join the set-up crew to help prepare for the event• Join the clean-up crew to help after the event is over

To learn more about volunteer opportunities this Thanksgiving or register to help, please visit hollandrescue.org/gtb-volunteer-sign/.

Volunteer slots will fill up fast, so please sign up soon if you want to be part of the celebration this Thanksgiving!

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Each time I think of you, my heart overflows with thanksgiving. Your generosity to our homeless neighbors reminds me of the story of the Good Samaritan. During his journey, he stopped to help a man beaten and left for dead by robbers on the road – a victim others had walked right by.

Jesus then asks a simple question:

“Which... was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus

told him, “Go and do likewise.”(Luke 10:36 & 37, NIV)

Many who come to the Mission have been beaten down by life… they long for a Good Samaritan to reach out and help them. This Thanksgiving season, I encourage you to take Jesus’ challenge! The nourishing meals and safe shelter that your gifts provide are simple ways to give them a hand up.

I want to thank you for showing mercy to our neighbors who others often pass by. Your compassion helps our hurting guests recover and heal, and often opens their hearts to God’s love today… and a transformed life forever!

Darryl BartlettDarryl BartlettExecutive DirectorExecutive DirectorExecutive DirectorExecutive DirectorExecutive DirectorExecutive Director

A MESSAGE FROM DARRYL BARTLETT

My heart of Thanksgiving for you!YOU can make a diff erence in the lives of

homeless and hungry neighbors. By giving today, you’ll help us prepare for some of the thousands of meals we’ll servefrom now until Thanksgiving Day.

Please share your heart of thanksgiving by giving your 2019 Thanksgiving Campaign gift now. Our hurting neighbors will fi nd the help and hope they need for a new beginning in their lives!

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR FAITHFUL SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY DURING

THE THANKSGIVING SEASON.

2019 THANKSGIVING CAMPAIGN

MEALS NEEDED!

$2.05for 1 hot meal

A chance to shareGOD’S

LIFE-CHANGING LOVE

$68.00for 1 night of safe shelter

and often leads to

LOOK AT WHAT YOUR GIFT WILL

PROVIDE!

Give now using the enclosed reply card and envelope.

Give online anytime at hollandrescue.org.

Have you seen the viral photo dubbed “Success Kid”? Millions have viewed his image alongside phrases that illustrate daily successes, like “Does the laundry. Finds $5 in pants pocket.”

Maybe people love Success Kid because of that “job well done” feeling. Perhaps that’s also why many identify retirement as one of the happiest seasons of their lives. Here are three special sources of joy that make retirement shine:

1. The JOYS of travel. Traveling lets you experience fun and beauty.

2. The JOYS of family. The sweetness of experiencing children and grandchildren is unlike anything else.

3. The JOYS of giving. Being able to bless a ministry like Holland Rescue Mission that is impacting lives provides a special kind of fulfillment.

As you reflect on joy today, perhaps you feel a bit like David in Psalm 116:12, “What shall I return to the Lord for all His goodness to me?” Now is a great time to think about how you can fashion your future giving plans and retirement assets to maximize a blessing for your loved ones and the ministries you care about.

For the full version of this article, request a FREE copy of “3 Ways to Experience Joy in Retirement” by contacting Rachael Neal at (616) 396-2200, ext. 425, or rachaeln@hollandrescue.org – or bless your family today with a God-honoring will at christianwill.org/hrm.

Thanksgiving BanquetHolland Rescue Mission’s annual Great Thanksgiving

Banquet will be held on Wednesday, November 27th at 6:00 p.m. at the Hope College DeVos Fieldhouse.

At this event, Holland Rescue Mission serves a delicious Thanksgiving meal to about 1,500 community

residents and sends families home with a care box filled with household and hygiene products. Over

1,000 volunteers participate in some capacity, and we need your help!

Sign-ups begin September 16th at hollandrescue.org.

Contact our volunteer coordinator for more information: (616) 928-3407.

Filling care boxesPreparing foodDonating turkeys

or dessertsSet-up/Tear-down

crew

Ushers & greetersFood/Beverage

serversTable hostsSponsor a meal

The Joy of Retiremen