summer 2008 bay area hope newsletter, bay area rescue mission

8/8/2019 Summer 2008 Bay Area Hope Newsletter, Bay Area Rescue Mission

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I Lived the Life of a Criminal . . .

and my decision brought me to rui

3 E-Z Wayso help the Bay Area

Rescue MissionPg. 4

Encouraging Wordsfrom John

Pg. 2

From Living on thereets . . . to EnjoyingNew Life in Christ

Pg. 3

s u m m e r I s s u e 2 0 0 8 u A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E B A Y A R E A R E S C U E M I S S I O N

u 2 1 1 4 M A C D O N A L D A V E . u R I C H M O N D , C A 9 4 8 0 1 u 5 1 0 - 2 1 5 - 4 5 5 5 u w w w . B a y A r e a R e s c u e . o

Thank for givinme another cha

My name is Rodney. I came tothe Bay Area Rescue Missionbecause I was physically and

spiritually bankrupt. A few years agoI chose to leave my wife and twochildren and open the door forSatan to invade my life. I livedwith criminals and spentmy money on drugs andliquor. I thought Id madea decision that would giveme the excitement I waslooking for.

But because of thatterrible choice I ended uplosing everything includingmyself. I was a lost soul,

struggling to find myself in a world ofevil and deceit. Still, I chose to live thiswretched existence for 10 years. I livedthe life of a criminal. I used fake creditcards, I stole money from my motherand I ended up in jail. When I wasreleased, I returned to my old way ofliving. Some people just never learn!

I knew nothing about Godbefore I came here

Finally, I stopped long enoughto come to my senses. Thatswhen I sought help. Howgrateful I am to the Bay AreaRescue Mission and for thedirection and support Imreceiving here. Beforewalking through thesedoors I knew nothingabout God, the

A few

years ago I chose

to leave my wife

and two children and

open the door for

Satan to invade

my life.

Holy Spirit or Jesus. Today, Im beintransformed by the love of God. If Ihadnt come here, death was my onother option. Now I know God has aplan for my life, and, in his strength,

I plan to stay the course.I also want to thank yo

who donate to the MissionBecause of your generositIve been given a secondchance at life. Youre alsohelping me understand twithout a relationship witthe living God Ill never m

it. God bless you during thesummer months as you conti

to remember the Mission and its

many needs. Meanwhile, Ill always bgrateful to you for your kindness to mGod bless you.


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Refuse to take a Vacation in the Bay Area

My name is Lindsay. I donthave the words to express mythanks to my many

riends at the Bay AreaRescue Mission for

ow theyve broughtope into my life.My son Devon usedo be so violent.

Now hes calm,aring and happy.

He wont let us goo sleep at night untiles said, Get the

Bible out, Mom. What difference to go to sleepfter reading Gods Word. Thereso more shouting or angry words. If I

were here only for Devon it would allbe worthwhile.No longer do we live on the

treets or in a park. That was aerrible life. I tried to look busy by

moving from place to place. It wasard for us to stay clean, so we never

ooked decent. But nighttime was theworst, a time when Id stay awake asong as possible to protect us both.

Thank you for being part of our familyI thank God Hes brought us

hrough all this pain and that Hesdelivered us to a place of rescue. Ian now look in a mirror and see a

Were all works in progressSo as you are moved by the stories of Rodney and Lindsay in this newsletter,

please remember that each one is a work in progress. Isnt that how it should bewith all of us? Together lets agree that our spiritual journey may come to a closeeach night, but it begins all over again each morning.

To send your donation today to help our friends on theirspiritual journeys,please use the remit slip enclosed. Or you may call us at 510-215-4555. You maalso donate on our secure web site at www.BayAreaRescue.org. Thank you foryour investment in the lives of the poor and needy in our community during the

summer months and throughout the year.

From Living on the Streets . . .

to Enjoying New Life in Christ

Thank you for givingDevon and me a home

person I like. Im becoming stronger.Most important, Im becoming a

better mom. I hope you cansense my gratitude for the

Mission and to you who

give your time, money andsupport to this oasis in adesert of pain.

Five years ago whenI was on drugs, I thoughtthat was the only wayto live. Today, Im

discovering that life withChrist is more joyful and

satisfying than any momentof my former lifestyle. Again,

thank you for giving Devon and methis chance to put our lives back

together. Thank you for being partof our family. Ill never forget yourkindness. I hope you enjoy a happysummer with your family.

I can now

look in a mirrorand see a person I like.

Im becoming stronger.

Most important,

Im becoming

a better mom.

Thank you forinvesting in thelives of the poorand needy in the

Bay Area during thesummer months and

hroughout the year.

At the Bay AreaRescue Mission . Theres aWelcome for All

To welcome the hungand the homelessmeans we accept th

as they are, without passijudgment on their worth. welcome our guests meawe encourage them whenthey are despairing. It mewe help them understandthey have a rightful placeour world.

To welcome a strangein need also demands thawe be generous with ourresources resources yo

help make available. Dailyas we practice this attitudtoward others, regardlesstheir status in life, regardof their past actions, wetoo are changed inside. Wcontinually learn from thepeople we welcome, andreminded that in the sighof God, we are all loved aequals.

Even as God has freel

welcomed us to Himself, do we, with your generouhelp, invite others into thfamily of God. Thank youcaring, and for doing youimportant part in welcomthe needy into our midst.


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Please mail this completed form, and return it with your summer donation, or you

donate online atwww.BayAreaRescue.org. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed bYou will receive a receipt.

Bay Area Rescue MissionP.O. Box 1112

Richmond, CA 94802-0112

ACCOUNT NO. EXP. DATE

AME SIGNATURE

DDRESS

TY / STATE / ZIP

MAIL ADDRESS

Here is my best gift of:

m$17.90 to provide 10 meals and other assistancem$26.85 to provide 15 meals and other assistancem$53.70 to provide 30 meals and other assistancem$________ to provide as many meals and as much care as possiblemPlease include me in the free email newsletterm Please bill my credit cardmVISA m MC m AMEX m DISCOVER

YES,John, I continue to bea friend of the Bay Area RescueMission. You can count on my

upport during the summermonths and beyond.

Call Steve Lee at510-215-4798 and ask

or a Lucky Card. When youhop, Lucky will donate 3% of

purchase price to the Missionwithout costing you anything!

Now its a little easierbeing green . . . Call John

Gainey at 510-215-4883and he can set up monthlyor quarterly donations fromyour credit card or electronic

fund transfers from your bankaccount. And if you want,tell him to reduce the amountof paper mail you receivefrom us.

Please go to towww.ShopToBless.com

and follow the links to yourfavorite stores. The RescueMission will receive 1% to10% of your purchase pricewithout costing you anything!

3 E-Z waysto help the Bay Area Rescue Mission

Lucky FoodStores SHARES

Care forthe Homelesswith E-giving

Online Shopperscan Shop to Bless

My Summertime Gift

summer 2008 bay area hope newsletter, bay area rescue mission

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