“Life is what happens after you’ve already made plans,” said someone a long time ago. For many of the people who walk through our doors here at Water Street, their life plan didn’t include becoming homeless. It just happened after life tossed them something they didn’t plan.

Deborah arrived at Water Street after a long battle with

depression. Her spiral downward happened over the course of twenty-five years, and that long journey ended the day she attempted suicide. Deborah went from being a successful nurse in the ER to waking up in the hospital with the realization that her attempt to take her life failed.

Deborah admits to hitting rock bottom a long time before

attempting suicide. “I found that I was just not myself anymore. I started calling in sick for work and they eliminated my position. I lied to my family. My pride kept me from admitting that I needed help,” she said.

After taking a cocktail of prescription drugs then waking up

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Living Transformation

newsletter

“To see myself through God’s eyes, I see a proud Father

looking at His daughter who has just grown up.”

– DeborahHair and Makeup by Salon Enso.

APR

IL 2

014

still a failure I couldn’t even kill myself,” she said. With nowhere else to go, she took a cab to Water Street.

Her journey changed her from the inside out, and to hear Deborah tell her story today it’s like listening to a humble teacher explain the impact of God’s strength. Life is still happening

Spring is a perfect time to soak in the inspiration of this season’s new beginnings! We’ve been working on a few new things too, and are excited to share them with you. You can watch all the stories in this issue on our website. For a rich first person perspective of life change go to wsm.org/videos. ►

in an unplanned way for her, but today she sees herself through her Father’s eyes. “To look at myself through God’s eyes I see a proud Father looking at his daughter who has just grown up and realized that she has the whole world in front of her.” •

Watch Deborah’s transformation at wsm.org/videos. ►

Continued from page 1

in a hospital bed a week later, she realized life wouldn’t let her go. “The next thing I remember was waking up. I was hearing voices. People calling my name and turning me side to side,” Deborah recalls. “I’m in the hospital. I didn’t kill myself. Oh-my-gosh, I’m

love for God. When asked why he volunteers three times a week, Ed says in a very matter of fact tone, “It’s what God wants me to do.” Looking back over the years as a volunteer, Ed realizes there were two

things that changed him— growing in his faith and serving meals to the hungry who come to Water Street. •

Listen as Ed shares how volunteering changed him at wsm.org/videos. ►

Changed By ServingEd shows up as a volunteer

every week to serve meals in the kitchen at Water Street. His passion for serving the men, women and families of Lancaster County’s homeless community is rooted in a deep

More To Their Story

Keith ClementsAfter a Water Street resident challenged Keith to read “Not A Fan”, his life took on new meaning.

Jennifer GallowayGrowing up in Lancaster City changed Jennifer’s life, but not in the way you might think.

Ed OsbornYou are never too old for change.

Did You Know?

We are providing shelter to nearly one hundred women and children. There are a few newborns with their moms in our shelter, and the following items are needed: diapers and cream, baby clothing,

infant washcloths and towels, bottles and pacifiers. •

To donate new or gently used baby items, call Sharon at 385-2028 or online at wsm.org/donate to the Women’s Shelter.

Water Street is changing one life at a time by serving the homeless and the hungry.

62,000meals served this winter.That’s like feeding every person in

ClipperMagazine stadium at a sold out game 10 times.

250people have shelter

every night.

8,000gallons of

hot coffee served.That’s like filling half a farm silo.

There is a time for everything, a

seasonfor every activity

under the heavens.Ecclesiastes 3:1

A Message from ChaszBy Charles “Chasz” Parker

President, Water Street Ministries

When you read about Deborah’s journey you can see life is better lived within a healthy community. She talked about placing her sense of pride above seeking help and depression eventually lead to her attempt at suicide. Today she thanks God and Water Street for helping to put her life back together.

Deborah is now living in her own home, is an active volunteer at her church and considers the team here at Water Street to be her extended family. Your generous giving enables us to work alongside people like Deborah, to feed the hungry and provide the homeless with warm and safe shelter.

Have you ever sat down at your favorite restaurant anticipating your favorite meal, which means you’ll go home feeling wonderfully full? Sure you have! But wait. Have you ever been offered that night’s special; you accept and because you said yes to something new, your expectations were positively altered. You become a renewed fan

At Water Street we, like you, are recovering from the 2014 winter season, one of our community’s coldest ever. Hundreds of people came to us for warm food and safe shelter. In fact, we served 62,000 meals from December through March! There were many cold nights when our kitchen was at capacity and every bed in our shelter was filled.

I ask you to consider funding life change by giving financially so we can move forward serving the hungry and homeless. Thank you for your continued support! •

of that restaurant and you can’t stop talking about it.

That is what happened to a Water Street donor, Keith Clements. His expectation was to drop by Water Street for the day to help out then return home feeling totally satisfied, but that didn’t happen as planned. A Water Street resident challenged Keith to try something new. Keith accepted. Saying yes and following through changed Keith’s life. •

Watch Keith’s full story on our website at wsm.org/videos. ►

About Water Street Ministries

For over 100 years, Water Street Ministries has sought to change one life at a time. We provide practical expressions of God’s love in several ways:

• Providing rescue and renewal for homelessmen, women and children through Water Street Mission

• Providing healthcare for the homelessthrough Water Street Health Services

• Equipping teens in our city throughTeen Haven

• Educating young children throughWonder Club

210 South Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603393-7709 • contact@wsm.org • wsm.org

Get Involved• Food Services - Meal Assistant• Women’s Ministry- Shelter Assistant• Learning Center- Tutor

For a more areas to serve visit: wsm.org/file/volunteer.pdf

Unexpected Giving

Planned GivingPlanned Giving offers you valuable benefits, such as income and tax savings while ensuring your legacy changes the life of a man, woman, or child living in poverty. To learn more about a charitable bequest, please call Tim at 358-2025 or go online

to wsmlegacy.org.

Because of you, people like Deborah find healing and hope at Water Street. Thank you for your faithful partnership to help change lives. To continue funding life change, make a donation today.

To make a donation:

•Use the enclosed envelope

•Call Sue at 358-2031

•Visit wsm.org/donate