WHAT IF EVERYONE DID WHAT GOD SAID? WHAT IF WHAT IF EVERYONE DID WHAT GOD SAID? A Note from Alan - HOPING TO HELP Alan DeFriese, Superintendent the newsletter PENINSULA RESCUE MISSION JANUARY 2020 Written on the day before Thanksgiving: UPDATE - Written on the day after Thanksgiving: I received a call today from a man in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He is attempting to help one of his distant cousins. The cousin is a homeless, disabled veteran who is currently walking down a random street in Hampton, VA. The man on the phone said his cousin had a history of drug abuse and is estranged from his immediate family. Because it is the day before Thanksgiving, he is calling around looking for some possible help for his cousin. Obviously, PRM is a great fit for this cousin, and I shared all the information necessary for the man to come to us this afternoon. If he does, he will enjoy 3 great meals on Thanks- giving Day, plus a warm bed, fresh clothes, access to a hot shower, and the Word of God! Sadly, this veteran did not show up. Perhaps other arrangements were made. We hope that is the case. When we hear of stories like this one, we really want to help. He knows who we are and where we are, so we may have an opportunity down the road. There is a tremendous amount of hurt in our community, and we stand always ready to receive those who come our way. We thank the Lord for your faithfulness. We are asking Him to allow us to reach many hurting folks in 2020! Thank you for your partnership in the coming year!! How different might our society, our world, be, if the commands of God were universally obeyed! This statement of Jesus comes to mind: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” - John 13:17 The human race has so many problems - some of them life-crushing issues that devastate families, destroy reputations, wreck healthy bodies, divide churches and communities, and do so much more serious harm in the lives of people. Over the decades at PRM, for three generations now, we have watched the Holy Spirit reverse the negative effects of sin in the lives of people who allow the principles of the Word of God to guide their lives. Some years ago there was a little boy who didn't have a daddy at home to be his role model, provider, and protector. His mom had an absentee husband, and she was thrust into the job of single parent and primary bread-winner. His dad was a slave to addiction, perennially out of work, and wasting his life, including substantial talents in the computer field. God's providence led that man to PRM, where he began to listen to the Lord. The principles of God's Word took hold of his life. His relationship with God grew, and he eventually returned to his family. For several years now that little boy has had his dad back in his life; his mom and dad are together again, modeling a Biblical family for him. Dad is using his computer skills providing for his re-united family. Addiction, divorce, abandonment, and much more have been overturned because one man allowed the principles of Scripture to take over his life. Imagine a world where that happened over and over in the lives of thousands, millions of men, women, and young people! IF ONLY EVERYONE DID WHAT GOD SAID. WHAT IF
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WHAT IF EVERYONE DID WHAT GOD SAID?
WHAT
IF
WHAT IF EVERYONE DID WHAT GOD SAID?
A Note from Alan - HOPING TO HELP
Alan DeFriese, Superintendent
the newsletterPENINSULA RESCUE MISSIONJANUARY 2020
Written on the day before Thanksgiving:
UPDATE - Written on the day after Thanksgiving:
I received a call today from a man in Ft.
Lauderdale, FL. He is attempting to help one of
his distant cousins. The cousin is a homeless,
disabled veteran who is currently walking down a
random street in Hampton,
VA.
The man on the phone said
his cousin had a history of
drug abuse and is estranged
from his immediate family.
Because it is the day before
Thanksgiving, he is calling
around looking for some
possible help for his cousin.
Obviously, PRM is a great fit
for this cousin, and I shared
all the information necessary
for the man to come to us this
afternoon. If he does, he will
enjoy 3 great meals on Thanks-
giving Day, plus a warm bed,
fresh clothes, access to a hot
shower, and the Word of God!
Sadly, this veteran did not show up. Perhaps other
arrangements were made. We hope that is the case.
When we hear of stories like this one, we really want
to help. He knows who we are and where we are, so
we may have an opportunity down the road.
There is a tremendous amount of hurt in our
community, and we stand always ready to receive
those who come our way. We thank the Lord for your
faithfulness. We are asking Him to allow us to reach
many hurting folks in 2020! Thank you for your
partnership in the coming year!!
How different might our society, our world, be, if the commands of God were universally obeyed! This statement of Jesus
comes to mind: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” - John 13:17
The human race has so many problems - some of them life-crushing issues that devastate families, destroy reputations, wreck healthy bodies, divide
churches and communities, and do so much more serious harm in the lives of people. Over the decades at PRM, for three generations now, we have watched
the Holy Spirit reverse the negative effects of sin in the lives of people who allow the principles of the Word of God to guide their lives.
Some years ago there was a little boy who didn't have a daddy at home to be his role model, provider, and protector. His mom had an absentee husband, and
she was thrust into the job of single parent and primary bread-winner. His dad was a slave to addiction, perennially out of work, and wasting his life, including
substantial talents in the computer field.
God's providence led that man to PRM, where he began to listen to the Lord. The principles of God's Word took hold of his life. His relationship with God
grew, and he eventually returned to his family. For several years now that little boy has had his dad back in his life; his mom and dad are together again,
modeling a Biblical family for him. Dad is using his computer skills providing for his re-united family.
Addiction, divorce, abandonment, and much more have been overturned because one man allowed the principles of Scripture to take over his life. Imagine a
world where that happened over and over in the lives of thousands, millions of men, women, and young people! IF ONLY EVERYONE DID WHAT GOD SAID.
WHAT
IF
Billy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William & Sallie GreeneBeryl & Helen Abicht . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim & Elaine AbichtViolet Brook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lillian CoxShirley Broaddus Callis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Milt & Judy HudginsKathleen Carty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sharon MelsonDoma Chappell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John ChappellRichard Clarke, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lora ClarkeDoug Connell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arlene ConnellJesse Curtis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . His FamilyC.B. Darrell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wayne & Betty KernMatthew D. Dollar, DDS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James F. Dollar, DDSDick Douglas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lelia DouglasAaron Dowless. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann, Larry, & WandaMavis Fleming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancie EureShirley Fowlkes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William FowlkesJim Fraley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy FraleyChris Gibson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bobby & Sue GibsonJames Goforth, Sr.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann GoforthJames Goforth, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann GoforthJames Goforth, Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chuck GoforthJames Goforth, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chuck GoforthMatthew Charles Gowen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clint & Elaine GowenEdna Hamby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty NeherBill Harness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judith HarnessGrady Hatchett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thomas & Tracy VenableLaura Beth Hefner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy HefnerMarvin Hoffler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda HofflerPerry & Lucile Holden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard & Janet HoldenSuzanne Insley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Constance HoskinsonBert & Bette Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katherine WatlingtonGordon Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fannie JohnsonNorman Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy JohnsonSam Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fannie JohnsonSandra K. Johnson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe & Donna BlanchardMargie G. Joyner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deborah WebbElmer Keatts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary KeattsAlice Pushpa Leela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachel JeyadhasAlbert Maddalena, Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Albert MaddalenaFlorence Ellen McCall-Bartley . . . Kings DaughtersPaul Means. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judy Means & FamilyArlene Ramsey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marlene SchererSarah Richardson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William & Nina DerbyJerry Rose, Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rosemary Rose
SS Class of First Baptist
Cuddy Saunders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dorothy SwensonMary German Settle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl SettleEmmalee Skelly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eddie & Wandalee IsraelCharles Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth EpkerLloyd R. “Sonny” Sorenson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary SorensonJimmy Starboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George & Winnie SilkRW. Teagle, Sr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ellis & Jaqueline TeaglePhil & Wanda Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George WhiteLinda Townsley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen KeeneMr. & Mrs.Gerald Westerman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April RudolphCathy Whitley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy FentonLinda Wigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce WiggerEunice Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billy Williams
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was astranger and you welcomed me, I needed clothes and you clothed me” ....Then the
righteous will answer him saying, “Lord when did we see you hungry and feedyou...needing clothes and clothe you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever
you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
One of my favorite accounts of Jesus is in Matthew 25, when He clearly reveals thathow we serve the Lord Himself is by showing generosity and compassion to “the leastof these.” I wanted to share this verse especially at the start of the New Year, becausethe New Year is generally a great time to reassess our goals, habits, and even our
giving. Through our giving, we can connect with the great work God is doing, and hereat the Mission, we have greatly benefited from the generous gifts of so many in ourcommunity - and it has not been restricted to monetary gifts! One way the Mission hasbeen particularly blessed is through the donation of clothing.
The donation of clothing provides us with so many opportunities to bless the homeless.First, we are able to stock our clothing center, which last year provided free clothing toover 1,000 people! Second, we are able to sell gently-used clothing in our thrift store,and 100% of our thrift store profit goes to providing shelter and meals to the homelessin our community. Third, donations of winter accessories like gloves, mittens, socks,and coats are stored at the Mission's front desk, and they are freely provided to anyguest in need. These items are a true blessing during these colder months!
Who would have thought that donated clothes could be used for kingdom work? Nexttime you are at the store, or need to clear out your closet, would you consider donatingclothing and winter accessories to PRM? Share with neighbors, family, and co-workershow their donated clothing can make an eternal impact in someone's life!
John’s Journey - OPEN TO INTERRUPTIONS
John Twigg, Assistant Superintendent
In Memory of... Given by...
Matt & Sara Beagle for Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Hobert Corbett for Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Tommy Davidson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty DeansBill & Claire Dick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucy PapeDavid & Christine Din for Christmas . . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Family & Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dick & Dee CappsMichael Faris for his birthday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . His In-LawsBill Flowers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joy Circle of Denbigh Baptist ChurchRobert & Karen Gray for Christmas . . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Dr. & Mrs. Robert Gray, Sr. for Christmas. . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Daniel & Jennifer Hopkins for Christmas . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Russ & Toni Howard for Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Jesse & Dana Jones for Christmas. . . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.India & Donna Karianen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty DeansFred & Phyllis Kohlman for Christmas . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Lou Ladson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Agape II SS ClassBucky & Mary Lenhart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty DeansSam Lupica for Christmas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Jimmy & Charlotte McCarter for Christmas . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Kevin & Beverly Owsley for Christmas . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.J.P. & Jackie Paler for Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Lucy Pape. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary SorensonDaniel & Katie Payne for Christmas . . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Barbara Lindley Poteat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Mom” Lena Lindley BrammerLindsay & Barbara Poteat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shirley HatchettDr. & Mrs. Mark Rasmussen for Christmas. . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.David & Barbara Rippon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty DeansPaul & Sandra Snyder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty DeansDaniel & Virginia Shedd for Christmas . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.William Smith for Christmas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Mary Sorenson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucy PapeHal & Jennifer Thompson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James & Diane MorrowElissa, Lexi, & Terry Warner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty KrushenErleen Wheeling for her 99th birthday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy FentonDavid & Teresa Wiggs for Christmas . . . . . . . . . M. Coleman Walsh, Jr.Aunt Alice Nell Wills for her 95th birthday. . . . . . Vince & Nancy Snidow
MEMORIALS that live.
In Memory of... Given by...
In Honor of... Given by...
Worthy of HONOR.
Mission Needs.
It's getting cold outside, and the men need your help to stay warmand safe. We currently have plenty of hats and socks, but we need
warm, preferably waterproof, men's gloves. Thank you in advance forhelping us help those in need!
Mission Moment.
These amazing kindergartners from Discovery Stem AcademyElementary School collected socks for our men...LOTS of socks!
Thank you Miss McCoy & Miss Simmons for leading this effort andfor teaching these young hearts about serving others in need!
Adapting and staying positive in the midst of interruptions or unexpected situation isoften a struggle for me. This can be true even for minor interruptions, which impacts theway I treat coworkers, friends, family, and even strangers. While shopping for Missionsupplies with Alan recently, I had one of these minor interruptions.
We were about to head to the second big box store of the day, trying to find enoughunderwear and t-shirts for the men who stay at the Mission. As we loaded up our itemsfrom the first stop, a man approached us and began talking before I could really hearwhat he was saying. From his dress and hygiene I knew he was in need, and I assumedhe was looking for money. When he got closer, I interrupted him and told him I didn'thave any money to give him, thinking that would end things and he would head off. Instead he cheerfullyexplained he wasn't looking for cash, but he wanted to know where he could go to get out of the cold and havea good night's sleep. What I first took to be an interruption turned into a pleasant conversation. We told him
about the Mission and some other options he couldpursue to help with his situation. As we were unable totake him ourselves, I looked up the bus route he wouldneed to take to get downtown; he was confident he couldget there. I really enjoyed talking to him.
I don't remember his name, and I don't know that he evermade it to the Mission. I do know that it brought me joyjust to talk to him and share some hope with him. Myprayer is that we can all be a little more open tointerruptions in our lives and how God might use them toshine His light into the lives of the lost.
Paul’s Perspective - AND YOU CLOTHED ME
Paul Speight, Director of Development
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