Tammy
Tammy has been at the Mission twice. The first time, five years ago, she met her husband here! They have been married for three years. In 2007, Tammy qualified as a commercial truck driver and found a job in Kansas. Her husband rode with her, acting as her navigator. Everything was going fine.

Then Tammy got a call that her son from a previous marriage had been hit by a car. She quit her job in Kansas and came to Lincoln, where her son is living with his father. Tammy and her husband are back at the Mission for the second time.

Tammy is looking for work as a commercial truck driver. While driving in Kansas, she had no accidents, no legal violations, and no tickets during her six month employment. She has a Nebraska CDL with all of the endorsements. Tammy's husband is a hard worker. He is constantly volunteering to do jobs around the Mission. We are confident that Tammy will find a job and that she and her husband will move out of the Mission very soon.

Deb
Deb was born in 1979 with a birth defect called Spina Bifida. Deb's spinal cord was incompletely formed. When she was two days old, she had surgery to close her spinal cord, but she was left with life-long disabilities. She has partial paralysis below the waist and diminished sensation below the knees. Deb needs leg braces, from waist to toes, in order to walk. Throughout her life, she has been called "stupid" or "lazy" and has suffered from self esteem issues. Deb now lives on Social Security Disability, but was recently evicted when her move to a new apartment caused a delay in receiving her check. She came to the Mission in a wheelchair.

Deb has not has leg braces for the past five years. Arthritis in her knees and various medical problems have sapped her strength and made it difficult to walk. However, at the Mission, Deb's future is changing. Deb has been going to daily devotions, called the Filling Station, and is supported by the prayers and friendship of the staff and guests. Deb reports that folks at the Mission respond to her very positively, often offering help even before she asks! Deb has decided to try leg braces again. She wants to start physical therapy to strengthen her muscles.

Our prayers are with Deb as she takes on the challenge of walking. We are all dedicated to helping her succeed.

Edyie
Edyie and her husband Dan were evicted from their apartment in March and were homeless. They came to the Mission. Edyie had been working as a dishwasher in a local restaurant, but when business declined she was terminated. She was unable to find another job. One hurdle to employment was Edyie's appearance. Her front teeth were badly decayed and were starting to chip and break. She was self-conscious and had constant dental pain.

Affordable Dentures volunteered their services to help Edyie. After 12 extractions, she was fitted with three partial plates. Although she is still recovering, her smile says it all! Edyie is opening a new chapter in her life. She would like to enroll in school and believes that with her new front teeth, more positions will be available to her.

Dan, an experienced machinist, is looking for work. His dream employer is Kawasaki. Our thoughts and prayers are with Edyie and Dan as they work to get back on their feet.

Chris
Chris tells his story through this poem that he wrote. It is printed and framed in the Curtis Center.