Thinking Back, Facing Forward

The future belongs to those who give the next generation reason for hope. ~ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

As each of our departments are submitting their final reports on 2011 we are learning the scope of what we were able to accomplish last year And as we compile the final numbers from last year, 2011 is now officially behind us.
 
Over the past year the Mission, like many others in this economy, had its fair share of struggles. But despite this, we managed to make it through another year and look forward to what 2012 will bring our way.
 
But before we move forward, I wanted to share with all of you what it was that we were able to accomplish and also take a moment to thank all of you ~ our generous donors, volunteers and advocates ~ for your continued support of People's City Mission. Because of you, in 2011 we were able to touch more lives, feed more families and provide more medical care than ever before.
 
With the help of our amazing volunteers who served over 35,954 volunteer hours, we served 179,742 meals and housed a combined 1,989 guests at our Family, Men's and Curtis Center shelters while also distributing 1,085,000 pounds of food to 16,454 low income neighbors from our community at our Homeless Prevention Center.
 
The Free Medical Clinic experienced amazing growth in its second full year of operation. We had 2,828 new patients which grew our number of patients in our database to 8,669. We saw 11,787 patients visits, which was an increase of 21% from last year.
 
We are amazed by this and know it is only possible because of you and people like you who continue to support us!
 
We ask that you would please continue to pray for the Mission. The need is great, and growing, but with God's help, and with your support, in 2012 we will see just as many lives changed and lost hope restored to the homeless and near homeless of Lincoln.
 
Blessings, PT
 
 

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with one of our guests (we’ll call him Mike for now) about his experience at the Mission. In the course of our conversation, Mike told me about a man who stopped by the Mission and handed out sack lunches to some of the guests at the men’s shelter. This man didn’t solve all their problems—he only filled their stomachs. But he lifted their spirits and provided them with a living example of God’s love. Mike says he still thinks of this man often and has great respect for him.

The reason this man made such an impact on Mike is because his actions reflected his personal investment in the goal. He didn’t just drop the box off and let someone else carry the items on to their final destination—he took the time to see his project through to the very end and support others directly. We can solve many material problems with money or a simple item donation, but spiritual healing requires a different kind of investment.

Of course, the Mission can always use your financial support, but there’s a need in this world for true neighbors. If each of us could take a few hours to personally involve ourselves in someone else’s problem (and the role we can play in helping solve those problems), there would be far fewer broken souls out there. The knowledge that someone cares and is supportive is often a priceless gift.

How can each of us invest ourselves and reflect God’s love?

·         Volunteer to staff an event, serve a meal, or provide needed services to those who can’t afford them.

·         Listen to someone’s story. The telling of such a story can be a healing force in itself when there is someone there to listen to it.

·         Pray. There is nothing any of us can do for one another that is more powerful than prayer.

I’m sure you can come up with a myriad of additional “investments” you could make. The important thing is to start somewhere, anywhere you can. I’d be willing to bet that the more you give, the more you find yourself receiving in return.

God bless. 
Pastor Tom