FEBRUARY 2019
$2.26
PROVIDES A MEAL AND MORE
Sto r i e s of h ow your g if t s c h a nge l ive s
GIVE HELP & HOPE
“I Needed
God” YOU CAN CHANGE A LIFE THIS EASTER SEASON
AFTER YEARS OF ADDICTION, SOMETIMES SLEEPING ON THE STREETS, OR IN JAIL, VICKY WAS FINALLY READY TO SURRENDER.
“I’d heard about the Mission’s program, but I really didn’t know anything about it. Entering this program has been the biggest blessing in the world to me. It saved my life!”
Vicky was 29 when her life spun out of control. Her once happy marriage fell apart. They divorced, and Vicky numbed the pain with drugs. Eventually, this turned into a full-blown addiction. “I’ve spent 20 years in and out of treatment,” shared Vicky. “At times I would go years without a relapse. But something was missing and it wasn’t something I could learn through a 12-step program. I needed God.” When Vicky arrived at the Mission, it was the first time she had been in a program with a Christian focus. “I’ve learned I can’t do this for anyone else, other than
Each $2.26 you give wi
God. In the past, I didn’t care about myself enough to do it for me. And when I tried to do it for my family and failed … the shame was too much.” While at the Mission, Vicky recalls praying for God to take away anything in her life that didn’t suit Him. “It was a struggle for me to pray it out loud. I knew He was listening. I was a smoker for 20 years. He took that desire away. I couldn’t sit still. Today He’s given me peace and now I can sit and be comfortable in my own skin.”
With your help, Vicky now has hope.
Your support has changed Vicky’s life.
For years Vicky didn’t feel deserving of God’s love and mercy. She ran away from her family, her responsibilities … her life. “I know the Lord protected me through being kidnapped, held hostage, having a gun to my head, a knife to my throat, and more. I didn’t feel worthy to seek help. But God … He took away my shame. He gave me a new life. He gave me hope and I found that at Nashville Rescue Mission.” Because of you and your faithful support, Vicky is being transformed daily by God’s love. Imagine what her life might be like if the Mission weren’t here to help her? She might still be sleeping on the streets.
As we approach this Easter season, there are so many men and women, much like Vicky, who are wandering the streets of Nashville, in search of something better. Which is why your support means so much to those in crisis and in need of life-saving hope. Your support transforms lives.
ill help transform a life. For those with no safety net, the Mission provides a safe place to sleep, a hot meal to eat, and the chance to start over, especially when they hit rock bottom. This is exactly what Robert needed when he walked through the doors of the Mission last year.
“I would wake up, drink, then go back to sleep … or rather I wouldn’t go to sleep, I would pass out,” shared Robert. “After one of my friends committed suicide, I thought this is it for me. I knew I had to give up drinking, and walk away from everything to try and make my life better.”
STARTING OVER
You helped Robert get back on his feet
“THE MISSION IS WAITING WITH OPEN ARMS, LIKE JESUS CHRIST.”
At the Mission, Robert found a community ready to help him. He found the support he needed to stop drinking. With the help of his case manager, he found a job and started saving money. Once he had enough saved up, Robert was able to rent an apartment and move into permanent stable housing. “Anyone that wants help—help is here,” said Robert. “All they have to do is reach out for it. The Mission is waiting for them with open arms, like Jesus Christ. This place helped me tremendously. It has been a total life changer.” “I can’t give this place enough praise. There are a lot of people hurting in this world. But like I said, all you’ve got to do is reach out and say, ‘I’m ready, I need help.’ At the Mission, they have an open door.” Your support provided Robert with the chance to start over. Yet there are still many more men like Robert—hungry, homeless, and hurting. With your support, the doors to the Mission will always stay open to those in need.
REV. GLENN CRANFIELD President and CEO
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4b NIV
YOUR SUPPORT GIVES STRENGTH TO THE WEAK
It’s got to feel terrible thinking you’re all alone. For many who come to Nashville Rescue Mission, they are often tired, frustrated … and frightened. They come with heavy hearts—and often without hope that anything will ever change. But here, at the Mission, they learn the good news— that a new life is possible! It’s a message of hope we share at Easter and all year long. Because of God’s love, there are no last chances. He loves us through second, third, and all the extra chances we need. Your support helps share that grace-filled message with those who are homeless, hungry, abused, and addicted. Loving them, so they feel safe. Giving them compassion, so they feel valued. Restoring their dignity so they can hold their heads high. That’s what a new life looks like here at the Mission! Thank you for creating a refuge of help and hope this Easter season and beyond for individuals like Vicky.
A MEAL
and MORE
Every $2.26 you give provides those in need with a meal and MORE
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS THE MORE?
Hot showers and clean towels Dry clothes and underwear Winter coats, hats, and gloves Safe shelter Toiletries Mail services Chapel services Computers and Internet access On-site medical, dental, and social services Free lockers Case management services Transformative programs The love of Jesus Christ
TRANSFORMATION BEGINS WITH
$2.26
THE NEED IS STILL SO GREAT IN OUR COMMUNITY… Men, women, and mothers with children are still living on the streets, unprotected from the elements, and vulnerable to other dangers that can put their lives at risk.
Your support will inspire hearts this Easter season to join the Psalmist in Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
As we look to the Easter season, we are already expecting capacity crowds. But for just $2.26, you can provide a delicious meal and more, including a chance to start a new life through the Mission’s programs. It’s amazing what just one meal can do!
Thank you as always for your incredible compassion and generosity to help people get back on their feet and begin new lives in Christ. There’s no better time to give. So many are counting on you. PLEASE DON’T WAIT to give as generously as you can. Your online gift goes to work right away at nashvillerescuemission.org!
L I V E S YO U H AV E T O U C H E D | December 2018
HOPE lives HER E E s t . 195 4 639 Lafayette Street, Nashville, TN 37203 615-255-2475 | nashvillerescuemission.org
Daily Avg.
Monthly
1,699
52,654
Bible Class Attendance
Nights of Lodging
732
22,688
Chapel Attendance
448
13,888
81
2,508
Meals Served
Education Hours
Daily Avg.
Monthly
21
657
Volunteer Hours
162
5,003
Travel Assistance
n/a
31
Program Graduates
n/a
16