The Orange County Rescue Mission E-news: March 2006

“In prison, I was in a two-man cell,” says Robert Johnston. “My cellie (cellmate) was reading the Bible. He had peace. I’m thinking, ‘How can he have joy when he’s looking at eight years in prison?’ But he started reading me a Proverb a night. It seemed like it was about me. “Basically, I just always wanted to do things my way and it got me in lots of trouble,” he confesses.

Robert is honest enough not to blame his parents or background for his troubles. He grew up in Fullerton, in a typical home, with parents who were good role models. His other two siblings did great. But like so many men we write about, Robert started smoking marijuana and drinking as a teenager. He started skipping classes and barely graduated. Since he was trained as a journeyman carpenter, he usually managed to have a job, an apartment and a relationship. But in typical addict fashion, he’d lose it all — over and over again.

When a girlfriend introduced him to crystal meth, he says he lost his mind. He would quit a job to steal recyclables to sell for quick drug money. Sitting in prison reading the Bible, he knew there was something better for him. He decided to come to a Christian program after prison. He came to the Orange County Rescue Mission — and his life really began to change. At age 42, this is the first time in his adult life he has been sober.

“This program means everything to me,” he beams. “For once in my life I’m trying to NOT break the rules. I don’t fool around on the weekends when no one is watching. I don’t lie. I clean up after myself. I help out. Jesus Christ has changed me. This will be my first Easter as a Christian. And soon I will get to begin a new life — of serving the Lord.”

Thank you for being part of this Easter miracle!

My mom used to make me dress up for Easter Mass, but I didn’t remember much else about Easter from my childhood. Drinking has cost me a lot, including years on the street and time in prison. I’m 68 and had a stroke last October. I can’t do much now — and have no money and no place to go. If I weren’t here, I’d be on the street.

My goal is to get into a veterans home now. I served my country in the early 60s. But I’m glad to be here for one big reason — Jesus Christ. It’s very late in life, but Jesus has changed my life. My whole attitude has changed. I used to be antsy and nervous all the time. I used to get angry. I had never heard about a personal relationship with the Lord before. I guess with God it’s never too late.

My parents used drugs, and I started using drugs at age 13. I was lots of trouble — drugs, sex and violent boyfriends. My older sister and younger brother got into lots of trouble too, but my younger sister was an angel. She was miraculously healed from cancer. But then she got killed in a car accident — and I knew God couldn’t exist. But I wished He did. I was so miserable I didn’t care if I lived or died. My only reason for staying alive was my son.

My boyfriend gave me stolen property as a birthday present — which landed me in jail. When I was leaving prison, I was shocked to find out I had chosen a Christian program, the Mission’s House of Hope. I told them, “I don’t believe in God.” But they were so nice to me. And when I started reading The Purpose Driven Life, it was like God was speaking to me. I knew I had to be saved. I knew there had to be a Jesus Christ.

My son and I both became believers — and we’ve changed so much. I’m learning how to love and how to live. I love worshipping, praising God and going to church. And I can’t wait to leave here with a good job and to lead a Christian life with my son!

I was born in La Puente, but I hadn’t been back to Southern California for 30 years. I’m a certified heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technician. I don’t have a working problem — I have an empty-life problem. No family or meaning in life. I get drunk not to feel, then lose my job, and start over again. I got saved about ten years ago, but had been backsliding. When a DUI cost me my license and I got stuck without a car, I decided to get my spiritual life together.

That’s what I’m learning to do here at the Rescue Mission. Build a spiritual foundation. I need horizontal relationships (with people, serving and connecting) and a vertical relationship (with God). Here I’m learning the real concept of Jesus Christ, not just going to church and then going home. I’m getting Christian discipleship. It’s great to have a Christian-based New Life program!

Pray for God’s resurrection power to transform the lives of the men and women in our many programs.
Send a generous gift today!
Spend a moment reflecting on your desire to help the less fortunate and renew your commitment to them.
Tell your children, neighbors and church family about the work of the Orange County Rescue Mission.
Hold a canned food drive for the Mission.
Remember the Orange County Rescue Mission in your will.
Drop off 5-lb. canned hams, rolls or other food items for food baskets and Easter meals.
Pray that each person receiving help this Easter will feel God’s love and respond to it.
Volunteer to serve Easter dinner at the Mission.
Fill up “Easter Baskets” with hygiene items,and drop them off at the Mission office.

Community groups, churches, families, individuals, and businesses—here’s a great way to help homeless families stay together while they rebuild their lives and become self-supporting.

Adopt a family suite or a room in the Village of Hope! The Village of Hope is an innovative, faith-based, transitional facility that will keep homeless dads, moms, and kids together, while giving parents 12 to 24 months to work on job training and life skills. To make this dream a reality, we must transform two existing military dormitories into 128 rooms for homeless families. A plaque with your name, or your group’s name, will be placed in the room. More importantly, your group will be part of creating modern-day miracles in the lives of hurting families in Orange County.

Please email John Luker or call (714) 247-4306 for more info. You can also check our Web site for volunteer work dates, construction needs, prayer requests and more.

I believe Jesus literally raised himself from the dead in actual time, space and history. But the story doesn’t end there. I also see resurrection in another way. For the families and individuals we work with, God’s resurrection power is at work every single day — transforming hundreds of people from a hopeless life to a life full of hope.

Certainly much of the transformation comes from practical, down-to-earth help — food, job training, counseling. But our staff prays for the people we come into contact with every day. We rely on God’s love, delivered through our actions and your gifts — to soften and open hearts. Only God can truly change a life.

Because our Savior lives, He brings new hope to each of us. We share that message of hope with the people whom we help. Then, time and time again, we get to watch the miracle of rebirth, renewal, resurrection. But there are so many more broken lives who need to hear the good news. So whether it’s through a hot meal or quiet prayer, let’s share this hope with as many people as we can this Easter. Please help us demonstrate God’s love to them today. Thank you.

In His Service,

Jim Palmer & Staff

WE HAVE AN IMMEDIATE NEED for volunteers willing to purchase basic household items and laundry baskets, as well as to pack them. Each year at Easter, the Orange County Rescue Mission reaches out to families in need throughout Orange County by supplying the basic need for household and hygiene supplies in the form of “Easter Baskets.” This year, we will be serving nine motels with the Easter Baskets while seeking to meet spiritual needs by sharing the Gospel, offering prayer, support, encouragement and consolation through our volunteers. A new Bible, Easter tract and resource brochure will be provided by the Rescue Mission to accompany each Easter Basket.

Here's how you can help: purchase a laundry basket, fill it with the items listed below and deliver it to our warehouse at 1421 Edinger, Suite B, Tustin.

Deadline for drop-off at our warehouse is Tuesday, April 4, at 5:00 p.m.

If you have any questions, please call (714) 247-4300. Thank you!

Here are some suggested items to include... (approximate value for 1 basket—$40):
Soap Towels Dish soap Dish rags Laundry detergent Paper towels Cleaning supplies Cookware		Toilet Paper Sheets (full size) Dish towels Tooth brushes Toothpaste Cooking utensils Diapers (sizes 4-6) Dryer sheets

If you have any questions, please call (714) 247-4300. Thank you for taking action to bring much-needed relief to those in need!

What it means to be a Christian

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4007 Santa Ana, CA 92702
Street Address: 1421 Edinger Ste. B Tustin, CA 92780
Phone: (714) 247-4300 Fax: (714) 258-4451
Toll free: (888) 946-HOPE (4673)
Web: www.rescuemission.org