Fourth Edition

A Call to Serve

The book of James tells us our faith comes alive in our actions – through what we do. We reach out to you to stand and serve the Lord. To hear His voice and heed His call like these Christmas Store volunteers have. It’s a common misconception that volunteers seen working in different areas of the Mission are financially comfortable church-goers looking to fill their days.

You may even believe you are not a good fit to volunteer. In fact, you are a perfect fit. You may tell yourself, “I don’t have enough time to volunteer. I’m barely able to provide for my own needs and can’t even think about buying new things for the Christmas store.”

It’s natural to believe we must wait until we have enough time and money before offering material goods or other kinds of service. But the Christian life is not natural. God’s principle regarding service in His Kingdom can be better understood when we consider the following scripture.

Psalms 16:5-6. "LORD, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance."

These community volunteers do not receive material compensation as they work for God in this mission. They simply respond to the Holy Spirit’s nudge. Clients in the Christian Life Program, New Life Program, and community outreach families may even receive more gifts than those volunteers who serve them.

Consider this: the folks who volunteer, hundreds this year, are regular people led to offer service in some form. They choose City Union Mission. They choose to give. You too can choose to give - regardless of your economic status, but in response to God’s gifts of grace, mercy and peace in your life.

1 Peter 4:9-11 “Each one should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.”

The volunteers’ purpose is to share God’s grace, whatever form it takes. Who better than you to minister in the name of God? If you can’t do it here, do it somewhere.

Update: Clarence Beech

Clarence Beech finished the Christian Life Program in 2008. Powerfully built yet gentle in nature, Clarence is living proof of God’s grace and transformative power. The man graduated from the Mission as a different person (new creation) than entered a year earlier. In my final conversation with Clarence just before he graduated and moved out, he spoke of how God had blessed his life. He was a very, very thankful man. Praise God.

I didn’t know if I’d ever see Clarence again. However, he comes back to the CLP regularly and his visits have a purpose. He comes to sit and talk with the men on Program. You’ll want to hear what he has to say.

We Remember You:  Clarence you come back to the CLP and talk to the men on a regular basis. Why?

Clarence:  God has blessed me in so many ways. When I called out to God it totally changed my life. I wanted to be a blessing to Him, somehow. As I prayed on this He moved me to come back and share my testimony to the men at the CLP. I had a gut feeling to serve. I tell the men there is hope. Through Christ you can get your life back and take care of back home.

We Remember You:  I know that you’re a blessing to the men. What has coming back meant to you?

Clarence:  It’s about Discipleship. Making disciples of Christ. It’s about Him.

We Remember You:  Before I let you go is there anything you’d like to say to those out there who are reading this?

Clarence:  Stay focused on Him. He’ll take care of everything. Trust in Him. Like it says in Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in Him with all your heart”. Please show God's love to all of our brothers and sisters.

Thank you Clarence, thank you. Some men talk the talk. You walk the walk and men’s lives here in the Christian Life Program are blessed because of you.

Interview: Tammy Sharp & James Smith

Left: Tammy Sharp / Center: James Smith / Right: volunteer

As members of the Missions staff Tammy Sharp and James Smith are the liaisons to all of our volunteers. Some volunteers only are able to serve once while others serve regularly – sometimes for years. We caught up with Tammy and James at the Mission’s Christmas Store. The Christmas Store is a long-standing event here at the Mission and is run primarily by volunteers. Every year those in need are invited to shop for Christmas gifts free of charge. Thousands of gifts are wrapped and individually delivered Christmas Eve day. 

This year the Christmas Store is in the Mission’s new warehouse at 1700 E. 8th Street and hundreds of volunteers are involved. Our Mission - your Mission - is reaching out in the name of Jesus. It only seemed appropriate that we meet with Tammy and James at the corner of the Christmas Store set aside for wrapping presents. 

We Remember You:  Tammy and James thank you for joining us. Tammy you work with what are called CORE Volunteers. What is a CORE volunteer? 

Tammy:  CORE volunteers may only volunteer once or they may do something with us periodically. Someone who helps serve dinner at Christmas is an example of a CORE volunteer.

We Remember You:  James you work with what are called High Impact volunteers. How do they differ from Tammy’s CORE volunteers?

James:  High Impact volunteers work with us regularly and commit to do so for a year or more. Their commitment is significant.

We Remember You:  Both of you’ve worked with a lot of people who come to volunteer. What stands out most?

Tammy:  Volunteers tell me so often that they came to be a blessing to someone but they were the ones who were blessed. They received more than they gave.

James:  The same with me. People who come wanting to help and be a blessing to someone somehow wind finding they were the ones blessed.

We Remember You:  Isn’t it amazing that when we serve the Lord, or serve others without any expectation of reward, reward is given.

Tammy and James:  It’s wonderful to see people come to that realization. We get to see it all the time.

We Remember You:  What’s you’re fondest memory of working here at the Mission?

James:  Getting to know clients who are on the program and watching them grow while they are here.

Tammy:  The same is true for me. I’ve gotten to know clients and I’ll remember them the rest of my life.

Thanks for talking to us Tammy and James. And to the alumni: please know that while you lived here, you made a heartfelt impact on the lives of volunteers and fellow clients as well as staff. We do remember you.

An Interview with Ed Golden

Ed Golden has been a dedicated and committed volunteer here at the Mission for many years. He began volunteering as a Discipler and now teaches and works with clients in Career Development. Ed is a successful business consultant and travels extensively. He’s an accomplished fly-fisherman and photographer as you can see from the photo. He’s also a loving husband, father and grandfather. Ed’s ministry here at the Mission has special depth. Because of his struggles earlier in life, he now knows first hand the power of God’s grace.

We Remember You:  Why did you decide to become a volunteer at the Mission?

Ed:  Early in my career, I had struggles with a job where the boss said I had to learn to lie to succeed. I quit, not willing to comply, and subsequently ended up homeless for a while. That experience drove me to be involved in homeless rescue activities throughout my work history. When I moved to Kansas City, I heard a radio plea for volunteers at City Union Mission, and felt like God was speaking to me to get involved. I interviewed, and became involved.

We Remember You:  What stands out most from your experience here?

Ed:  What I notice most is the Christian way in which men and women are helped to not only reintegrate into society, but also that they are given grace daily, forgiveness, and spiritual teaching.

We Remember You:  Are there any words you'd like to share with our past graduates?

Ed:  God never said that life would be easy, but with His support, and perseverance, we can rise above the difficulties that keep us from achieving our potential. Stay the course, look to God, trust Him, trust yourself, follow your passions. God bless.

Ed has made his relationship with the Lord top priority in thought, word, and deed. Thank you Ed and may God bless you and your family.

In Closing 

As you read this, Christmas is at hand. Together we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Together we also love and serve Him. Our service can take many forms in many places. At church, in the community, and here at City Union Mission. We invite you to come back and serve here. Come back if you wish – if you can. You’re needed here.

And the poet said: 

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain.
If I can ease one life the aching
or cool one pain,
or help one fainting robin
unto his nest again, 
I shall not live in vain. 

Third Edition

A Note from Robert

Greetings, my brothers and sisters in Christ. I would like to take a moment to encourage you in your daily walk with the Lord. As Peter encouraged Christians in his day to demonstrate the new birth in all their conduct, not just when it felt good, but even when they were suffering wrongfully for Christ’s sake. The new birth is initiated by God’s Word. It is God’s Word that satisfies and purifies the lives of Christians. We are instructed in how to live by God’s Word. Therefore, we must be intentional in laying aside the old garments that are defiled (refer to 1 Peter 2:1 for the list of old garments). 

 Not only does God’s Word initiate the new birth, but it also initiates a strong desire or craving in us as believers. It is God’s Word that brings salvation and it is the same Word that causes Christians to grow. If we have tasted the reality of God’s goodness in salvation, there is an inborn desire for more of that goodness through feeding on His Word daily. I trust that you are growing in Christ, because of your hunger that can only be satisfied by God’s Word. God’s Word is the desire that satisfies and purifies. Are you desiring what satisfies and purifies?

Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Update: Grace Owens

Recently we sat down with Grace Owens.  Between answering phone calls and fielding client questions we were able to ask Grace a few questions (Shelter Manager is a busy job).  After graduating from the NLP a few years ago Grace completed the 12 month Servant Leadership Training and was quickly hired by the City Union Mission.  Today Grace is a Shelter Manager at the Family Center and Nigh Manager at the NLC.  Grace has come a very long way since she first came to the Mission.  She came here looking for safety and a place to stay.  Now she is serving the Lord and the men, women and children that come through the Family Center’s doors.

We Remember You:  You’ve become so well established in your role as Shelter Manager it now seems so long ago that you were on program at the NLP.  Are your memories still fresh?

Grace:  I remember it very well.  I remember what it was like when I first came here.  How lost I was.  I remember what it was like to find the Lord while I was on program.  I remember a lot.  Working here helps me to remember and really stay grounded in the Word.  

We Remember You:  What was your fondest memory of being on program?

Grace:  Fellowshipping with Lenexa Baptist Church. They did a monthly family ministry. Each month eight or so people would come from the church.  We met in the basement of the NLP.  We had cake and snacks. We played pool with kids that came along and played games too.  They would come at Christmas and Valentine’s Day. I still go.

We Remember You:  Fond memories are terrific but what was the most important thing that you learned on program?

Grace:  Patience. I got patience from getting to know the Lord and reading scripture.  I wasn’t patient before.  It really helps me in my job.  I also learned about His grace, strength, knowledge and wisdom.  I learned about joy too.

We Remember You:  Our last question.  There are people reading this who will have only graduated a few months ago.  Others may have graduated years ago.  What would you like to say to them?

Grace:  Continue to study the Word.  Go out and share the Gospel.  Tell them out there what life is really about.

Thank you Grace.

Update: Sheryl Hasmanis

 Sheryl Hasmanis is another graduate of the NLP and sLi. She is also a Shelter Manager at the Family Center.  Sheryl is now a mainstay at the Family Center. Clients look to Sheryl because of her compassionate heart and “I know what you’re going through” credibility. All along Sheryl has said that she couldn’t imagine working any place other than the mission.

We Remember You: What was your fondest memory of being on program?

Sheryl:  Christmas. It was hard at Christmas being homeless. I couldn’t get my children presents and I was really feeling down. Shortly before Christmas, I was adopted by a Sunday school group from a church in the area. They went shopping and got the gifts my children wanted for Christmas. The kindness and generosity they showed to me and my children was overwhelming. I will never forget them. This kind of thing never gets mentioned or noticed but it was so important to me. It was terrific.

 

We Remember You: What was the most important thing that you learned on program?

Sheryl: Grace. I’d been a Christian a long time but I didn’t really know grace until I came to the program. I didn’t know the magnitude of grace.

We Remember You:  Our last question.  There are people reading this who will have only graduated a few months ago; others may have graduated years ago. What would you like to say to them?

Sheryl:  I know what happens when you leave here. It’s easy to get away from the Lord. It comes back to grace. His grace. He’s there waiting for you and He’ll take you back. All you have to do is turn your face to Him. He’ll take you back. It’s never too late.

Renovations at New Life Center and Family Center

In 1978 Reverend Vanderberg opened Pilgrim House Family Center and hired a very young Dan Doty as evening Chaplain. In 1984 staff began to offer life skills classes to long-term clients and out of these classes grew the New Life Program. Finally, in 2000 the New Life Center building on Wabash opened.

   This year the Mission received an Affordable Housing Program grant of $475,000 to update the Family Shelter and NLC facilities. Renovations included a new roof, windows, flooring and paint. Though the exterior of the facility may not look substantially different, those much needed structural repairs are nearly finished. The Family Center and New Life Center are ready for the future.

    

For 30 years Beth Liebling and Lorraine Minor graced the halls of the NLC and Family Shelter. Robert Strong guided Family Ministries for several years before being promoted to Chief Program Officer. Now Terry Megli has taken that helm, promoted to Director of Family Ministries in September. Many of you know Terry from his role as the Administrator of the NLP during the last several years.

Through the years there have been many changes but some things remain constant. Lives have been rebuilt. Families restored. Hopefulness found when there was no hope. Christ discovered and cherished. Children raised and nurtured, but most of all, loved. Children. Ultimately children and the Lord are what this place is all about. 

An Interview with Terry Megli

 We Remember You: Thanks for joining us Terry.  You’ve been at the Family Center twelve and a half years now.  How has the NLP changed in those years?

Terry: We’ve really expanded our counseling staff in the past three to five years. We now have three part-time counselors and every six months we bring on a counseling intern. Our curriculum has grown as well.  We do a lot more with Life Skill Classes and we teach them using more contemporary mediums such as Power Points. We’ve changed our Advanced classes. We do many more small group sessions where the classes are built around group discussions and book study. It seems that our clients have changed some as well. We now have a lot more families in the NLP than in past years.

We Remember You:  You obviously have a number of memories from your years working with clients in the NLP.  What memory stands out?

Terry:  That’s a tough one.  Give me about a month to think about it.  I’d say what stands out most is seeing the three current staff members (Felicia Payne, Sheryl Hasmanis, Grace Owens) who were previous graduates of the NLP and sLi.  Seeing them work with clients and remembering where they were when they first came to the NLP is a real bonus.

We Remember You: What do you want to accomplish in your new job as Director of Family ministries?

Terry: I desire to see a healthy developing staff facilitating a healthy growing ministry.

We Remember You:  Our last question: If you had every person who ever graduated from the NLP while you’ve been here sitting with us now what would you want to say to them?

Terry: Pray. Read your Bible. Go to church. Remember who you are. You’re a person who is going through transformation. God has created you and gifted you in special ways to advance His kingdom.

In Closing 

                                                      

Many of you reading this newsletter are parents. Some of you lived at the NLC with your children. Listen carefully. One day your children will remember the despair - the hardship. It’s true. They will also remember your courage. One day they will remember these times and they will be able to put it into a proper perspective.

You had no where else to turn. Your children looked to you for food and shelter.  They also looked to you to take away their fear. You came here desperate and broken. But this was not the end of the story; it was the beginning.  Here you found Christ and accepted His love. You rebuilt your lives from hopelessness. A new creation transformed by God’s overflowing grace. You gave your children stability and the home they so badly needed.

Most importantly you gave them a future in Christ. They will go “swift and far” in life thanks to you and the Lord. They will remember alright.  One day they will tell their children with pride and respect, “let me tell you what your grandmother did when I was young”. Well done and praise God.  

And the poet said:

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

3rd Quarter Publication

  A Note from Dan

Greetings to my fellow Christian sojourners!  I trust you are seeking to walk daily with your hand firmly grasping our Lord's hand.  Daily - that is my intentional habit.  I can't imagine beginning a day without the conscious awareness that I belong to God and that He longs to use me in some way each day.

Do you remember the passage in John's gospel where it's recorded that "many of His (Jesus) disciples went back and walked with Him no more."  Jesus then asked the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”  I often feel like Peter when he answered Jesus' question by saying “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."  Some "disciples" do turn back and no longer walk with Him.  I have to believe that those who choose to do that must never have truly known our Savior at all.  He alone has the answers to life and He alone has promised NEVER to leave us or forsake us.  In turn, we should walk so closely to Him that we will NEVER want to leave or forsake Him.

Let's be genuine & serious daily disciples, followers of our Savior and Lord.  Let us know how we can encourage you and pray for you!

 Graduation at the Farm

One of the most memorable graduations took place at the Farm earlier this year. A small group gathered in the Chapel to honor two Program graduates: Johnny Allen and Jorry Todd. Each graduation celebration is special but this one particularly captured the essence of what the CLP / NLP journey is about.
To accept Christ as Lord and Savior, to become a child of God and experience all the joy that can bring, living day-to-day clean and sober, and finally, re-connecting with family so powerful that “all things are possible through Christ” is proven true. 

We recently met with Johnny and Jorry to ask what’s going on in their lives.

We Remember You:  It’s been a few months since the two of you graduated from the Farm.  What are you working on now?

Johnny:  I’m living here at the Farm doing a lot of repair and maintenance projects.  I’m getting a lot of work in the community.  I’m also hoping to get involved more in ministry here at the mission. 

Jorry:  This summer I’m working at a restaurant here in Warsaw. This fall I’m starting school at State Fair Community College where I’m going to get an AA Degree in Auto Mechanics.  When I graduate I hope to get a job working in a large auto dealership.            

We Remember You:   Johnny, the letter your son wrote that was read at your graduation was very touching. You clearly reconnected with your family while on program. Speak to us about that. 

Johnny:  I’m going to my grand kids’ ball games - which is just great.  But I’m really just trying to be a good father, grandfather and son to my mother. I know I really hurt and disappointed a lot of people but through God’s grace I’m getting another chance to be there for them like I should. This is a chance I never thought I'd get; I'm very thankful.  

We Remember You:  Jorry, you’re close to your family as well. Your grandfather spoke at your graduation and had a lot to say about how far you’ve come.  He’s very proud of you. You also have 2 young daughters. How has that relationship changed? 

Jorry:   They are a big reason I’m going to school.  I want to be able to be a good father to them and provide for them. I'm now ready to take on the responsibility of being a father.

We Remember You:  This interview is just a short piece of the conversation we recently had with Johnny and Jorry. It’s clear though that both men have been experiencing God’s grace in their lives. God’s transforming grace has also impacted the lives of those dear to Johnny and Jorry. Thanks to Johnny and Jorry; thanks and praise to our heavenly Father.

  Farm Bunkhouse Renovation

 Almost every graduate has spent time at the Farm either on retreat or on Program so you’ll likely recall fond memories of rustic living and the sound of crackling campfires of this memorable place tucked away in the Missouri back country.

Since the early 1930’s the Opportunity Farm near Warsaw, Missouri has stood as a place of hard work, commitment to serving the Lord, and spiritual healing. Carved out of the Ozarks over the decades, the Farm is now home to a free-standing extension of the Christian Life Program. We spent a morning at the Farm getting caught up on recent changes and future plans and want to share with you.

Under the leadership of Lee Burns, the Farm is upgrading facilities; from a new water treatment project, wood burning heating system and renovated quarters, the Farm is moving forward. Bunkhouse 1 was recently taken down to the studs and rebuilt.  David Busick gave us a tour of the modern yet rustic comfortable building which can house 12 men.

David explains, “We look forward to the planned changes that will allow us to increase our number of clients to 24.  This will be accomplished through the remodel of Bunkhouse 2 and setting up rooms for 3 men each.  In our remodel of Bunkhouse 1 we were able to establish much needed privacy and space.” (Post-renovation photos on the right) 

Much has changed since the Farm opened during the great depression and much is planned, with God’s provision, but one thing remains constant: Christ is King. 

In Focus: David Busick

David Busick, long-time CLP Administrator enjoys hunting (firearm and archery) and fishing, old firearm restoration, all fields of construction, and especially family. He and Diane, married nearly 30 years have two sons, Joshua and Jacob, and two granddaughters. Ordained in 1988 to minister the gospel of Christ, he pastored children and youth while working full time as a grocery meat cutter, and worked later manufacturing Craftsman toolboxes.

David has had his faith and strength tested by several major illnesses since 2009 and God continues to supply and restore strength.

David explains, “He is without a doubt the source of my personal peace and hope.  I can do nothing except through Christ; my strength fails me but He does not”.

He shared scriptures that became instrumental during this season. 

Psalm 23 “For giving me strength and stability in the midst of trouble.”

Psalm 139:23-24 “To focus on my personal life; that I would remain humble, teachable and correctable and not disqualify myself for God's work.  I will not forget the years of my rebellious attitude, the pain it caused and the doors it closed.” 

James 1:19-20 “I have not always lived with that kind of focus for or toward others.  I've learned the value of listening and every day I am reminded to think wisely before I speak.  And repent quickly when I don't.”

  Special Interest - Fireplace

A varied collection of buildings, old and new, peppers the land on the Farm. Back in a quiet corner is Ruth’s Lodge.  Ruth was Ruth Vanderberg, the daughter of the founders, Rev. and Mrs. David Bulkley. Among the many buildings on the Farm, Ruth’s Lodge could be easily overlooked. Once you enter, however, one special feature captures your attention. The large cozy fireplace compels you to sit and imagine a roaring fire on a cold winter’s night. 

  

As you rest, you begin to notice how well-built the fireplace is with intricate construction details evident of a true craftsman. And something else catches your eye - a cross carefully built into the brickwork.

  

Who built this? Too many years ago, a client at the camp asked and got permission to build a fireplace onto the lodge. Slowly and with great care he built this fireplace adorned with a stone cross.   

  

A client’s name long forgotten but his gift still remembered. He left the place better than he found it and left his mark for Christ.

  Concluding Thought

Anyone who has been on program at the Farm knows it’s about hard work in the woods, Bible study and reflection.  It’s hoped and prayed for that everyone who walks the Farm’s trails for a day or a year will reflect upon their own lives. Maybe you did. Maybe you saw that a life without Christ was empty and lonely. Maybe you saw that through Him there is a future and hope. Maybe you chose to take a different path in life – one committed to Him.  We pray you did and that you are still on His path. It is the road less traveled, yes, but what a glorious that road it is.  My God bless you.

The final stanza of The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost:

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

April Edition

A Note from Dan

Hey guys & gals or more seriously & appropriately "dear brothers & sisters in Jesus Christ" . . . we love you guys so much and want to encourage you in any way we can.

I’ve been doing my daily Bible reading for the last few months in the Old Testament – specifically the Minor Prophets – you know Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, etc.  I love the seriousness that comes thru in their exhortations.  They were men who felt strongly that God had given them a job to do and they committed themselves to doing just that – even though they would be ridiculed and not believed. 

I certainly want to also do the job God has given me in service to Him in the name of our Savior!  That’s the only way to experience His approval & blessing . . . and I need and want His approval & blessing.  Don’t you?

sLi Graduation

The servant Leadership institute (sLi) was formed at the City Union Mission due the great need for a place where CLP and NLP program graduates who are called can receive comprehensive training and preparation that will allow them to effectively enter a career in rescue mission ministry. sLi is a 12 month in residence training and education program that includes both classroom and on the job responsibilities and duties here at City Union Mission.  sLi is comprehensive and Christ centered preparation for a career and life in rescue mission ministry.

Since its beginning in 2010 sLi has had 5 graduates.  Grace Owens and Mike Wutherich (photographed below with Lorraine Minor) graduated March 29^th of this year. The ceremony was attended by some 50 guests, including the 3 past graduates, Sheryl Hasmanis, Felicia Payne and John Meder.  Each of our sLi graduates are employed in ministry here at the City Union Mission

Any graduate of the City Union Mission’s CLP and NLP programs are eligible to apply for the Servant Leadership Institute.  If you would like to learn more about sLi please contact us at...

The servant Leadership institute

“Equipping the Saints for the Work of Service” 

                                                                                                                       Ephesians 4:12.

Update: Greg Kimball - Life and Wedding

 Greg Kimball graduated from the CLP in 2010.  Those who got to know Greg remember him as a quiet man who spoke when he had something to say.  Greg is a veteran having proudly served in the Navy for 17 years.  We also know him to be a man whose life was turned around by God’s grace, a family who proved to be true blue and by putting Christ first each and every day. Greg was married by the Rev. Dan Doty at the City Union Missions’ Opportunity Farm in Warsaw, MO. We had a chance to talk to Greg via email awhile back. 

We Remember You: What have you been doing since graduating from the CLP? Greg: Since graduation I have been working for Springfield Victory Mission as the maintenance supervisor, which I feel is a way of giving back to the type of system that helped get back on the right track. I have continued to bond with my family and have remarried my ex-wife (Jan14 2012). We Remember You: What are your fondest memories of being on the program? Greg: I think my fondest memory is having a case manager that I could tell anything to and them allowing me to vent. You know who you are and I thank God and love you for that. We Remember You: Are you active in a church and how is your walk with the Lord? Greg: I am currently attending Grace Chapel Church in Springfield Mo. I attend a Bible study on Monday evenings with friends and a Bible study on Tuesday evenings with a group from church. I think working for a Christian organization makes it much easier to stay close to the Lord, since I don't have to deal with co-workers that curse or drink or do other things that might tempt me to lose focus. We Remember You: Do you have any thoughts you would like to share with your fellow alumni? Greg: The only thought I have for my fellow alumni is my e-mail signature Proverbs 3:5-6. (Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will direct your paths.)

In Memoriam

In Memoriam A.H.H. was a poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson some 150 years ago. This poem took 17 years to write. In the poem, the poet sees his faith shaken by personal loss and grief but it’s ultimately reaffirmed. We must always remember that when we’re overwhelmed by loss and grief that our Father is always near. The poem concludes:

No, like a child in doubt and fear:
But that blind clamour made me wise;
Then was I as a child that cries,
But, crying knows his Father near;

Dorsey Davis, 64, died March 20, 2012 after a brief illness. Many of you knew Dorsey. He first worked in a Mission Thrift Store, then as a Shelter Manager at the Men's Shelter. Dorsey was called and he served. He served the Lord and he served every man who came before him, often in the wee hours of the morning. It's also important to note that his service included his country in the form of two tours of duty in Vietnam with the U. S. Army. Dorsey had a gentle smile, a warm heart, an a way about him. More importantly, he loved our Lord and Savior with all his heart. Dorsey is survived by a loving wife, four children, and seven grandchildren. Today, he walks and dances on streets of gold.

Gregory Booker, 56, died March 13, 2012. Greg was born in Kansas City, KS and graduated from Shawnee Mission North. Greg was an outgoing, fun-loving person who loved driving any kind of vehicle. Greg taught himself to play a variety of instruments and became involved in music ministry at church. Greg was a devoted Christian with a deep faith in God. His nine years at City Union Mission where he managed fleet vehicles and ministered in many other ways; all a labor of love.

A Word from Staff - Mike Durst

To all the Alumni that I have had the privilege of knowing, and those I haven"t known, I send greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope that you are doing good and walking close to our Savior. Many of you left a lasting blessing on my own life and great memories. Hope some of you can stop down at the mission one of these days and we can visit and talk about old times and whats going on in your life. One of my favorite Bible verses that I would like to share with you is Zechariah 4:6 That says " Not by might, nor by power,but by my spirit ,saith the Lord.

In Closing 

We will be publishing We Remember You quarterly.    Please let us know what you are up to and any prayer requests that you may have.  Also let us know what you would like included in future editions of We Remember You  (this is about you after all). Contact us at Steve.Sahl@cityunionmission.org.

An now we leave you with this thought:  Chapter 8 of Proverbs is magical.  Wisdom is talking to us.  Yes wisdom talks to us in Proverbs 8 and she has much to say.  As I have if you spend a few days (or weeks) hovering about Proverbs 8 you’ll be richly rewarded.  Here’s a peek of what she has to say:

I love all those who love me;

And those who diligently seek me will find me.

                            Proverbs 8:17