r o Light
Hab r
Providing a beacon of hope through your support! vol. 7 • is s u e 2
AP R IL 2 0 0 7
T h ank You for v ery ife You ouc h !
Healing HeartsE for a LHundredT Years
Inside:
two families break
the cycle of poverty and
addiction with your help!
Breaking the cycle
Forever
Dear Friend, ild?
when you were a ch
Day like in your family
What was Mother’s hat’s it like now?
If yo u have child ren of your own, w
ade a
k a woman who’s m
opportunity to than l
For most of us it’s an out flowers, a specia
e in ou r lives. We think ab
tremendous differenc ocolate!
maybe even so me of her favorite ch
meal, e moms Carla Skoglund
cult holidays for th
is one of the most diffi otherhood Executive Director
I think Mother’s Day Mission for help. M
who come to th e Muskegon Rescue ons, such as an addiction,
for a variety of reas rturing,
doesn’t co me easily for them eir children need nu
models, or abuse. They know th they do know
a lack of good role without exception,
ho w to provide it. But
but they don’t know with more opportuni
ties.
that they want th eir children to grow rams
overview of our prog
Harbor Ligh t, we’ve included an raising their
In this issue of the Mission a boost in
forts to give moms at the s lives as well as th
eir
for children—our ef pacting the children’
dicated to im rents who
kids. Our staff is de iring stories about pa
also ha ve for you two insp ld have a better futu
re.
mother’s lives. We so their children wou
eir own lives his own
wanted to change th n needs, as he brings
into the father his so renting
Dan has the time to
grow , and learns good pa
ity of Chris t here at the Mission fort Doris
life under the author we were able to com
help of your generosity,
skills. And with the
through a heartbre aking loss. flow
verty and addiction
aking the cycl e.” We know that po enes. I
Doris speaks of “bre or something interv
n to the next unless someone whose
from one generatio ents and graduates—
to dozens of families—our resid e Mission.
could introduce you the Muskegon Rescu
directed by the programs at
futures have been re od back to our reside
nts, so
ing us give mother- and fatherho k for your continue
d
Thank you for help their families. We as
cle of poverty in g mother and her ch
ildren in
they can break the cy as even now, a youn n
prayers and financi
al support, lp of your compassio
r way to the Miss ion, and with the he
crisis may be on thei eds.
r to their deepest ne
we’ ll be able to ministe
her’s Day!
Have a blessed Mot
In His Name,
”
and call her blessed.
“Her children arise
Proverbs 31:28a NIV
2
o
There’sa little by waiting
FO R D A N T O C O M E H O M E
A B E TTE R M A N …
son. “One of my goals here is to Rescue Mission, because that tough
learn to raise my little boy and recovery program you help support
teach him about Christ.” was just what he needed.
Dan had a problem with alcohol “I was scared to death when I
for years, after falling in with the walked through the door,” Dan
wrong crowd in high school. At the admits, “but this is a very loving
time it all seemed fun and exciting, place. The Mission is truly a
but as he got older he noticed that friend of the people… a friend to
drinking was taking a toll on the the children of God.”
rest of his life—especially his
Here at the Mission, Dan has
relationships.
opened his life to Christ in a new
way, and that’s made big changes
Because you pray possible. “I’m reconciling with
Our residents tell us our recovery myself so I can be closer to my son
program is tough. They have to and family,” he explains. “It’s a
follow a daily schedule—no more
and give, Dan has rocky road, but my life is changing.”
doing what they want when they
want! In class, they have to face up
a brighter future For Dan, coming to the Muskegon
Rescue Mission was the start of a
to old pain and work through it
instead of drowning it in addictions.
ahead of him – long journey. Thanks to God’s pro-
vision through you, he’ll have all
Every day there’s something new to
learn and a lot of growing up to do. and so does our encouragement and experience
to help him along the way.
But when Dan looks into his little his little son! When you make a difference to a
son’s eyes, he sees all the inspiration
man like Dan, you give him the
he needs to stay on track. “He’s my
“Things had come down to where I opportunity to make a difference in
biggest reason for being here,” Dan
knew I had to do something and be his own family. Because you pray
says. He knows that children of
serious about it,” Dan says. and give, Dan has a brighter future
alcoholic parents are more likely to
ahead of him—and so does his little
become alcoholics themselves, and We’re glad that Dan’s pastor
son! Thank you!
that’s not the future he wants for his referred him to the Muskegon
3
or l
Compassion f A l! L ast winter, your
W e love our volunteers!
E very volunteer who
donates their time and
talents makes a real
Women, men, families—thanks to your compassionate gracious donations difference in our
of clothing and other ministry, because they
support, everyone is welcome at the Muskegon Rescue
daily needs helped save us thousands of
Mission! For 100 years we’ve been a place of refuge working poor families. dollars each year in
B ecause you care, staffing costs— money
and healing. Thank you for helping us reach out to the many people had a we can use to serve the
neediest hearts in our community with Christ’s love. much warmer winter! homeless instead.
A good, hot meal is one of the most urgent needs
Children’s Ministries:
for the people who come to our doors every day.
Thanks to you, we’ve been able to feed them
ho w y o u r su p p o rt help s a new g enera tio n!
with tasty home cooking for 100 years! The Muskegon Rescue Mission offers a • S um m er cam p
wide variety of programs to encourage and Teens and pre-teens (current or past residents’ children)
educate at-risk kids. Through your support, have a great time at our summer camps thanks to the
we can reach out to dozens of children from sponsorship of friends like you. H earing the G ospel in
broken homes, poor neighborhoods, and a new setting really touches many of the kids, and we
other situations that may trap them in the follow up with each camper to help them get connected
cycle of poverty. with a local church.
O ur children’s ministries are: • Wednesday ev ening children’s m inistry
• Childcare for our residents A local church partners with us to involve our current
E very weekday, we care for our pre-school- and former residents’ children in their activities. It’s great
aged resident children so their mothers are for our kids to build friendships with the church kids!
free to pursue housing and job leads. We We need y our help ! There are three ways you can
work with the children on social skills and prepare them to help our children’s ministries touch more lives:
succeed in school.
1. P ray for the kids and their families.
• S chool-ag e after school p rog ram 2 . Commit to a regular volunteer position in child care or lead
A fter school, children in 1st-5 th grade can get tutoring and evening chapel.
homework help, especially with computer and reading skills. 3 . S ponsor a child for summer camp. It costs $ 14 0 to send one
O ur director of children’s ministries teams up with a volunteer child to camp for a week with a sleeping bag, swimsuit, and
teacher from the Muskegon S chool D istrict, who also takes everything else they need. Last year, we sent 6 7 kids to camp—
the kids on enriching field trips every S aturday. this year we hope to send 8 0 as G od provides the funds!
Through B ible study and prayer, our residents grow closer to • K ids’ chap el If you’d like more information about any of these programs,
G od. Y our support gives them the time they need to establish We present the G ospel in ways that reach a child’s heart, so please call Jana P eterman, D irector of Children’s Ministries,
themselves in the W ord and learn to depend on G od as the all of our children can grow closer to Christ. at (2 3 1) 7 2 7 -6 09 0.
firm foundation of their new lives.
4 5
erv
S ant H earts
M IN IST E R IN G T O W O M E N IN N E E D
In anticipation of Mother’s Day, we and then to eventually find an
want to introduce you to two moms intimate relationship with Christ.”
who work tirelessly with our resident
At first, Bridget was hesitant about
women and children. Bridget Pierce
taking a job at a rescue mission.
and Pastor Y vette McGhee both
But she did want to work for a
have two children of their own, and
Christian organization, and, “After
for the last ten years they have been
praying about it, I knew this was
motherly influences on suffering
where I was supposed to be. It’s
women at the Muskegon Rescue
hard sometimes, not knowing if
Mission. They’ve helped to change
I’ve done enough for an individual.
hundreds of lives!
Y v e tte (le ft) an d B rid ge t hav e be e n Tough love is tough. But all we can
Y vette came to the Mission after a s ou rc e of c om fort to w om e n at the do is plant some seeds and water
some hard times of her own. “I M is s ion for 1 0 y e ars ! some others. Being a servant to the
have had struggles similar to the ladies is the most rewarding part of
women I see at the Mission,” she with those very same issues.” the job for me.”
explains. “The devastation of these She admits it isn’t all easy. “It’s We’re grateful for their servant
struggles and then meeting Christ, a challenge to love them and yet hearts—and the dedication of all our
and the changes He brought about, see some of them return to their staff. This month, please pray with
gave me insight into my own old lifestyle unchanged. But it’s us for all the women and families
struggles. I wanted to provide that rewarding to see them struggle at the Muskegon Rescue Mission!
insight to other women struggling through and emerge victorious—
A G REA T D EA L
Th a n k FOR A GOOD CAUSE
o !
Yu
Our Rescued Treasures stores are a great place
to find outstanding bargains on everything from
We had a terrific furniture to fine china, and every dollar you
time with Mark spend will help needy people in our community.
Lowry at his We also welcome your donations of gently-used items!
benefit concert on March 29 . His Visit our stores at:
music was inspiring and his sense of
Save Date!
20 19 E. Apple Avenue
humor made for a very entertaining the
in Muskegon
evening! We want to thank everyone (231-7 7 7 -180 8) Mark your calendar now for the 20 0 7 Muskegon Rescue
who graciously purchased a ticket Mission Golf Outing!
16 39 W. Sherman Blvd.
and everyone who helped behind We’ll meet up at the Muskegon Country Club on
in Muskegon
the scenes. Every dollar we raised Monday, September 17 , for a great day of golf to benefit
(231-7 5 5 -330 7 ) homeless men, women, and families in our community.
will make a difference in a needy
person’s life! Watch this space for more information!
6
Our h ea rtfelt s y m p a th y
IN ME MO
Joseph & Evelyn Buck Clarence Kramer Harry Vledder
RY
In Honor of Christmas: Aaron Parrish
Jim & Kitty Buck Trudy Kramer Gayle, John, Lindsay & Jan Agard Deb Parrish
a n d p ra y ers a re w ith th e
Margaret Pressey Maxine Maddocks Nick Jones Barbara Stellard Barb & Walter Pickett
fa m ily a n d frien d s of th os e
Ed Bujak Carolyn Bickemeyer Dennis & Marjorie
Martha VonDeylen Elsie Beebe
rem em b ered b elow . T h es e Ernie & Joanne Webber Francis E. Marquard Mr. & Mrs. Irvin Paul & Penny Carlson Lachniet
g ifts a re a s p ecia l leg a cy
Arlene Burns Mary Lynn Marq uard Holdgreve Dr. Herbert Blair Elsie Schillaci
offerin g h op e to th os e Barth & Linda Schutter Shirley Ann Mergan Louise Weesies Dr. David Booth Leora Schillaci
in n eed . John Butner Robert & Delores Garry Weesies Dr. Herbert Miller Richard & D.J. Shantz
Dan & Pam Millhisler Letherby Richard Werner Dr. Robert Packer Barbara Langlois
Margaretha “Peg” Campbell William C. & Minnie Myers Mary & Dale Mitchell Dick & Lynn Kamps Tom Shepherd
IN M E M O R Y O F : Norman & Maureen Dr. & Mrs. Robert Lowry Lynelle Westerlund Marguerite Boyd Mark & Tina Root
(gifts received
Campbell Mabel Nolan Ilah Hickman Nancy Ellen Legatz Don VanderLaan
December 8, 2006 to
Pastor David O. Carlson Dan & Pam Millhisler Betty Weston Jack & Mary Butterick Richard & Linda Miller
Robert E. Carlson Esther Lee Nummerdor Maxine Burrous James & Pamela Butterick Mr. Jerry Westgate
February 16, 2007)
Gloria Carlson Ray & Lillian Remus Gene Workman Dr. Jonathon Crooks Wesco’s Corporate
Harry Anderegg, Sr. Ann Carter Jim & Jo VanderWeele Office Employees
Our Parents Brian & Patty Dodge
Ida Anderegg Babs Caraway Mr. & Mrs. Julius Rev. Fr. Steven Yankopoulos Jim & Evelyn Eastman Tim & Cindy Westra
Marva & Harry
Robert Collinge Hartsema Ann Y ankopoulos Diane Eastman Warren & Beverly
Anderegg, Jr.
Donna Collinge Martens Roger W. Peterson Wm. (Bill) Yule Kevin & Theresa VanKampen
Nellie Anderson
Skip & Jen Cottrell Mildred Peterson Dolores Millis Groeneveld Bill & Denise Whitney
Brian & Patty Dodge
Bob & Connie Cottrell Angela “Nellie” Plouhar Casey & Phyllis Craig & Peggy Elliott
Russell H. Anderson
Ruth Anderson
Gerrit (Gary) Dolislager Patricia Thompson Do y ou h a ve a rela tive or Groeneveld Ross, Cade, Sage &
Ray & Lillian Remus Sharon Krinsky frien d y ou w ould lik e to Hackley Surgical Staff Isabella Z iegenthaler
Harold Behrenwald John & Susan Pier Anesthesia Associates Kitty McCarthy
Connie Dornbos h on or? A g ift to M us k eg on
Karen Knowles The Paul Slater Family of Muskegon
Dave & Barb Klug
Carol Anderson & Family Gordon Food Service R es cue M is s ion is a n id ea l Katherine Holwerda
Y our friends at the MAISD Norma Erickson Larry Bosits w a y to rem em b er a b irth d a y , When you send your
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Voss Todd, Laura, Megan,
Donald Bentley
Irene Woodrow
Edward & Denise Strong Mark, Liz, Ruthie, Matt a n n ivers a ry or oth er s p ecia l Nathan & Matthew memorial or in honor of gift
& Jory Rasch Holwerda to the Muskegon Rescue
Bob & Barb Wiersema
Ron & Georgia occa s ion , or to a ck n ow led g e
Helen Reid
Neil & Desi Spoelman
Brandenburg
Gary & Janice Neal a loved on e w h ile a t th e s a m e James Humphreys Mission, you will receive
Darae Erickson Family Lakeshore Automatic a tax-deductible receipt and
Angie Schuitema
Judy Schuitema C. Kenneth Rop tim e h elp in g th os e in n eed . Products Empl.
Dave & Melinda Peterman a card will be mailed
Donna Nienhuis Kenneth & Carolyn Rop Anne Kershaw & promptly to the bereaved
Phyllis Nygaard
Ed & Barb Morrall
Margaret Mellema George Scully IN H O N O R O F : Richard Peterson family or the friend being
Vern & Ruth Meeuwenberg Winki Jepsen Mother & Father
Martha Mittleider (gifts received honored, telling them of
Chuck Hazekamp Richard A. “Dick” Smith Mary Madendorp
Ruth Leafers your gift.
Michael & Berniece Jim & Lorraine Sietsema December 8, 2006 to Janet Madendorp
Dave & Donna Kooi
Geoghan Shirley Rosema February 16, 2007) Rev. Michael Maurer Please mail your memorial
Henry & Dayle Karel
Richard & Marjorie Harry Terlaan Bette Carlson’s Birthday Rev. Edrye Maurer and in honor of gifts to:
Marjorie Horness
Elwell Marilyn Bronsink Gloria Carlson Jim & Evelyn Eastman
Phil & Carol Hollar
Don & Carol Herrgord
Kim Cooper Marvin Terlaan Ruth E. Rop’s 9 0 th Birthday Dr. W. Edward Naill Muskegon Rescue Mission
Janice Campbell Richard & Kathleen 1 6 9 1 Peck Street
Chuck Hazekamp Ken & Carolyn Rop The Hackley Cancer
Doug & Ellen VanArtsen Whitten
Casey & Phyllis Center Staff Muskegon, MI 4 9 4 4 1
Groeneveld Al & Jo Fongers Bob Stone & Coke
Rich & Carla Skoglund Bob & Connie Cottrell Vivian Spencer
Paul & Pam Flickema Dolores Foster Jack & Carol Parker
Wayne & Mary Erickson Ronald Foster Denise Snieder
Tom & Deb Conzemius Harold & Helen Grevel Paul & Marge Jensen
Jim & Gerry Collins Jack & Mary Jo Grevel Hallie Snyder
Ralph & Marva Carlson Andrew Heethuis Presbyterian Women
Ben & Phyllis Bonin Clarence & Evelyn Lydia Ruth Circle
John & Sharon Vanderstelt Wagenmaker Max Sparrow
Sam & Joan Hollar Henrietta McKenzie Jean Danhof
Jan & Larry Dobb Bernard & Ann Heethuis Jim & Carol Wagenmaker
Bonnie & Bob Bolduc Edna Attorian Joanne Vargo
Carty & Marcie Rood Pat Heethuis Jean Vandenberg
Howard & Marge Betty Wissink Dorothea Ruiter
VanDahm Dan Hesske Donald & Gertrude Rolph
Friends at Johnstone Phyllis Afendulis Don & Millie Roelofs
Supply, Inc. David Hickman, Sr. Ralph Mapes
Marilyn Benton Ilah Hickman Bob & Lee Ludwig
Ray & Lillian Remus Alvin & Lucille Hovey Charles Langeland
Eloise L. Blake Ilene Hovey Claude & Ella Karel
Christine VanDyk Keith Jefferies Rich & Jeanette
Ed Sutherland Dennis & Beverly Klein Groeneveld
John Sutherland Paul & Pam Flickema
William Jepsen
Helen Sonnega Larry & Pat DeVoogd
Winki Jepsen
Barb Gudelsky Al Baker
John & Christine Kadelsik Mr. & Mrs. Harold
Kay & Chuck George
Debra Kane Workman
Patrick & Sharon White
Betty Hogan Arnold H. Kantola Norman Todd
Dan & Sherry White Dan & Pam Millhisler Muriel Todd
Larry Bolema Myrna Knudson Elsie Toppen
Patricia Bolema Elma Mills Craig & Peggy Elliott
Roy & Peggy Lorenz
Dr. DeVere R. Boyd Onolee Tuller
Wallace & Bernice
DeVere Boyd Barbara Homrich
Paprocki
Ted & Lil Kass
7
W H E N D O R IS FA C E D E V E R Y M O T H E R ’S
ugav p
yo e her ho e
W O R ST N IG H T M A R E …
come to us when they moved to provide comfort and stability when
Muskegon, and with your help life seems too tough. Our staff
we were able to give them a safe keeps reminding her, “He will
place to stay and serve them good, never leave you or forsake you.”
nourishing meals until they got on And every time she visits, she
their feet. leaves a little stronger.
Y our support provided a fresh Today, when she stops in for a
start in even more ways. Although meal, you can see the grief in
during Doris’ stay with us, she Doris’ eyes when she talks about
“ G re ate r lov e has n o on e than
didn’t enroll in our long-term her daughters. But you can also see
this , that he lay d ow n his life for
recovery program, we were able how proud she is of their willing
his frie n d s .” – John 15 :13, NIV
to counsel her as she struggled spirit. “My girls gave their lives
Doris wanted her children to be with and overcame addiction. trying to rescue one of their friends
brave and help others. When two and the Mission is rescuing my life
As Doris established a home for
of her daughters saw their friend so I can go out there and give back,
her family, she still kept in touch
drowning in the Muskegon River, to rescue others.”
occasionally to help her stay on
they proved they had learned the
track. When her daughters drowned, To you, a generous friend who
lesson well. Without hesitation they
she’d tell you, “Without the Mission helped make the Muskegon Rescue
leaped into the water… and tragically,
I would have relapsed and felt like Mission a safe haven in her time of
they never came home again.
there was no reason for trying. I’d need, Doris says, “My family is
Doris’s two girls lost their lives feel like I only had half of my body healthy because of what I’ve been
that day, and the security Doris had because the other half [of my life]— taught here at the Mission. We w ill
built for her family over the last what I’ve gained from the Mission— break the cycle of poverty.” And we
three years disappeared in a flash. would be missing. The staff here are will always be here to help her!
so committed. Their hearts are in it. Thank you for giving Doris a place
But in those first grief-stricken
I feel the presence of the Lord here.” to find God’s comfort and grace in
weeks, Doris remembered the oasis
the midst of tragedy, and the tools
of peace and love she’d found Rebuilding after the tragedy is hard,
to keep moving forward in memory
years ago at the Muskegon Rescue and Doris still visits us from time
of her girls.
Mission. She and her children had to time. She knows we’re here to
OU R BOARD
J oe Masvero, President K aren B uie
new name to come, V ic e President L arry D obb
1 6 9 1 Peck S treet T E L (2 3 1 ) 7 2 7 -6 0 9 0 new name to come, S ec reta ry D r. D avid D ora
Muskegon, MI 4 9 4 4 1 FA X (2 3 1 ) 7 2 2 -7 0 3 0 D oug A mstutz D an McK innon
www.muskegonmission.org O rrin B ailey I vory Morris
rescue@ muskegonmission.org