MUSKEGON RESCUE MISSION DECEMBER 2016

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4 Meet MelissaMeet our new VolunteerCoordinator.

Menʼs RetreatLearn how “The Making of a Man” impacts lives.

PROVIDING A BEACON OF HOPE THROUGH YOUR SUPPORT

Hope Helps Franise Heal - pg. 5

6

Franise finds hope at just the right timeFranise finds hope at just the right time

Hope for the Holidays

2 HARBOR LIGHT • DECEMBER 2016

Kevin NewtonExecutive Director

Dear Friend,

Merry Christmas from all of us at Muskegon Rescue Mission! At Christmas we celebrate God’s perfect gift to us, the gift of His very own son, Jesus. The joy and gratitude that gift inspires is truly something to both celebrate and share.

That is why the Gospel, the “Good News” message of Jesus, is preached here at the mission everyday, all year long. It is also why your year-end gifts and year-round support is so important. The work of the Mission continues only because of caring individuals, like you, who give generously to help us help others. We can care for ALL who come to our doors only as the Body of Christ comes together to donate, volunteer and pray. We are not government funded….and we don’t want to be! With the support of believers, we are free to share the Gospel message, free to challenge people to try a new path in life, free to show them the power of a Spirit-filled life... a NEW life in Christ!

Will you consider becoming a monthly donor or prayerfully consider a generous one-time gift at this special time of year? It will truly have eternal impact as we both demonstrate and proclaim God’s love to the less fortunate and forgotten.

Your gift will provide Hope and so much more. A clean bed, a shower, a hot meal and much more. A caring welcome, a listening ear and best of all, the encouraging and life-changing Gospel message; it all starts with your gift of support to MRM.

Thank you for being our partner in the Gospel. For 110 years, the Mission has been open and serving, 24/7, every day of the year. Help us continue our loving, unique ministry outreach by sending a gift in the mail or online.

If you have questions about MRM or want to talk with me or another Mission staff member, please give us a call at 231-727-6090. We would love to share more with you about our work or give you a tour so you can see the impact first hand.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

In Christ,

Kevin M. Newton

Executive Director

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Year End Gifts = Eternal Impact!

“In everything I did, I showed you

that by this kind of hard work we

must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed

to give than to receive.’” — Acts 20:35

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS 5

Year End Gifts = Eternal Impact! Hope helps heal...

FRANISE’S JOURNEY

Most 18 year olds remember attending the school prom or graduation day. Franise remembers

drinking alcohol for the first time at that age. “I liked to party” said Franise. “I didn’t get a lot of attention growing up” and when she would go out drinking she was always getting a lot of attention and the life of the party. “That’s where all of my excitement went to” says Franise. Before long, the attention she was seeking would put her in a place she never hoped to be. “I went out drinking one night and the neighbor called the police on me because I left my kids at home unattended” said this mother of 3. The need for attention and drinking became so great that Franise was willing to do whatever was needed to fill that need. Even if that meant leaving her small children at home, alone, to satisfy her desires. Little did she know…her desire for attention and drinking would end up costing her more than she could have ever

imagined. “I ended up losing everything” Franise shared. “I lost my job, I lost my house, and eventually…I ended up losing my kids.” Finding herself in a place where she had nothing left, Franise didn’t know what to do. All hope seemed lost. With nowhere else to go, she was encouraged to come to Muskegon Rescue Mission. Franise says “I was scared to come to the mission.” However, after making the decision to take those first steps and come to our door, she admits, “I felt like I was home.” Because of a series of circumstances, Franise is not close with her extended family and since coming to the mission she says, “I now feel like I have a family to turn to.” At the mission she was able to hear the Gospel, something she hadn’t heard before. “I didn’t know much about God” she admits “since I’ve been at the mission, I’ve been able to build a relationship with Him.” Finding Christ, at what Franise says was the lowest point

in her life, has actually been the biggest blessing she’s experienced. “Even though things seemed bad, I have more hope now because of the mission and since I’ve given my life to Christ.” Hope was something that hadn’t crossed her mind for a long time and now she’s filled with it. “I just appreciate so much that they have the mission open” says Franise, “because if it wasn’t for the mission, I don’t know where I’d be. I’d be a lost cause and probably be in the position where I would never be able to see my kids again.” “There is Hope at the mission and I’ve never been to another place like that” Franise says with a smile. Because of the amazing change Franise has made in her life, a judge recently awarded Franise full custody of her children. Today, Franise and her 3 kids have relocated from our Women’s Shelter and are living in a place together on their own. “My old desires are gone” she says “my only desire is to be the best mom I can be for my three children.”

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS 3

MEMORIAL & HONORARIUM GIFTS

Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers are with the family and friends of those remembered below. These gifts are a special legacy offering hope to those in need.

In Memory of:(gifts received 7/26 to 11/1)

Anna Stephens Ms. Janet Bates Mrs. Thelma Bergman Mr. Larry Doornbos Paul and Kaycee Doornbos Mr. and Mrs. Dale L. Jenkins Mr. and Mrs. James McAlinden Mr. and Mrs. Ronald SchultzAunt Isabelle Hazel McDonald Ms. Patricia VoracAunt Mercein I. Seymour Ms. Patricia VoracAvis Randall Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Anderson Mrs. Rhoda Cramblet Mr. and Mrs. Terry Fulk Mr. and Mrs. Irvin HoldgreveBillie Newmyer Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ludwig Mr. and Mrs. Ronald WeihlCarl Moreen Mr. and Mrs. Joseph BalaskovitzCarla Seng Ms. Kathy Alexander Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Barbrick Mr. Michael Bugajski Ms. Sue Bugajski Mr. and Mrs. George Dobry Mercy Lab Coworkers Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Milzarek Mr. and Mrs. Alan Seng Ms. Wilma Seng Ms. Gloria Smith Mr. and Mrs. William Southland Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sweany

Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Temple Mr. and Mrs. Len VargasCheryl Gray Lemmond Mrs. Sharon Bolema Ms. Heidi BolemaChuck Cramblet Ms. Millicent Kramer Mr. and Mrs. William Owens Mr. and Mrs. Rick SchneiderCurtis Bolema Mrs. Sharon Bolema Ms. Heidi BolemaDebra Peck Ms. Patricia VoracDonna Marie Nienhuis Ms. Patricia VoracDoris Clark Carl and Sharlynn FullerDoris DeLong Rinard Ms. Pauline YoungDoris Seites Mr. and Mrs. Dan Farber Ms. Susan Gay Mr. and Mrs. James Grevel Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hice Tom and Betty Kenniston Ms. Peggy Smith Mrs. Dorothy SmithDr. William Bond Ms. Patricia VoracEllen M. Woebbeking Ms. Patricia VoracElsie Mattison Mr. and Mrs. Mark Aamodt Mrs. Susan Bergmans Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Boerman Mr. and Mrs. Merle Bosch Mr. Dale Bramer Mrs. Donna Buquet Mr. John Duplissis Mrs. Lucille Hofsess Ms. Elouise Hubbell Mrs. Sadie Jeske Donna Jones Mr. Anthony Maniaci Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Merkey Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ortquist Ms. Joann Petroski Ms. Linda Roberts Ms. Mary Rothman Mrs. Shirley Wickland

Esther Decker Carl and Sharlynn FullerFrank Uriarte Nola and John Kinnucan Mrs. Patricia UriarteGerald Bush Mr. and Mrs. Frederick BushHarold & Helen Grevel Mr. and Mrs. Walter G. Goetz Mr. and Mrs. Jack GrevelHazel Bujak Mr. George Anacker Mr. and Mrs. Paul Becker, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Buitendorp Eloise Cihos and Jan Mjovig Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Emmons Ms. Mary Hayes Mr. and Mrs. W. Richard Hilt, Jr. Jordis C. Hutchins Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Pluger Mrs. Ellen RockwoodJames Collins Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Leafstrand Mr. and Mrs. Jay SikkengaJerry Whitman Mrs. Candy WhitmanJoAnn Ensign Ms. Barbara Bush Mr. and Mrs. Richard DeBruin Mr. and Mrs. James E. Feldt Ms. Pat WestjohnJohn & Christine Kadelsik Mr. John Kadelsik, Jr.

John Poel Mr. and Mrs. Donald SlaterLarry Fuller Carl and Sharlynn FullerLaurrine Bergman Mrs. Dessie SpoelmanLawerence and Cora Mjovig Eloise Cihos and Jan MjovigLewis Glick Mr. and Mrs. Harry Anderegg Mr. and Mrs. Paul Anderegg Mr. Wayne Baker Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Bectel Ms. Karen Bitely Scott Stapel and Brian Fetterman Ms. Dorothy Briggs Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cross Mr. and Mrs. Owen Daniels Mrs. Mary Davis Ms. Joy Diamond Mr. Jim Duff Edna Eskew Mrs. Barbara Grennan Mr. and Mrs. Owen Hansen Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Helm Ms. Elaine Horner Mrs. Clarene Kersting Mr. and Mrs. James Kurtz Connie LeRoux Family Mr. and Mrs. Larry LeRoux Roberta Lewis Mr. and Mrs. David Mengel Misty Miller Family Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth H. Muston

When you send your memorial or “in honor of” gift to Muskegon Rescue Mission, you will receive a tax-deductible receipt and a card will be mailed promptly to the bereaved family or the friend being honored, telling them of

your gift. Please mail your memorial and “in honor of” gifts to:

Muskegon Rescue Mission1715 Peck St. Muskegon, MI 49441

Ms. Emma Olson Mrs. Carol Priest Mr. James Schugars Mr. and Mrs. James L. Sikkenga Mr. and Mrs. Todd Stapel Mr. and Mrs. Fred Tascone Mr. and Mrs. Ronald F. Varga Mr. and Mrs. Keith WellingMalcolm Pate Mr. and Mrs. Jerry BectelMargaret “Peg” Hanson

Ms. Laura J. MartinMarlene McPherson Mr. and Mrs. Greg McPhersonMaurice E. “Gene” Joslyn

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Alger Mrs. Thelma Bergman Mr. and Mrs. David DeRose Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dirkse Mr. and Mrs. David L. Dobben Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Grams Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Joslyn Mr. Jeffery Joslyn Mr. and Mrs. William Meadley Mr. and Mrs. David Mengel Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Meyers Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Muskovin Mrs. Florence Nielsen Mr. and Mrs. Randy Norman Mr. and Mrs. Donald Slater

Mrs. Carol A. Springstead Ms. Anna Wagenmaker Mr. and Mrs. Michael Weesies Mr. and Mrs. Paul WittePatricia Ann Crevier Mr. Jacque A. CrevierRobert Dodge Mr. and Mrs. Brian DodgeRoger Bearup Carl and Sharlynn FullerRoger Hutchins Karen Hutchins

Roy Fuller Carl and Sharlynn FullerShirley Ellis Mr. and Mrs. John Chalko Mr. Bill Ellis The Revell Family Ms. Mary Ellen JohnstonStan Taseck Dr. and Mrs. Nicolas PietrangeloTheodore Zimmer Mr. and Mrs. Ted ZimmerTom Smith Mr. and Mrs. Bill Cross Ms. Diane Dakins Mr. Martin Davis Ms. Maureen Elgie Fruitport Community Schools Mr. and Mrs. James Hamil Mr. Martin Shields Mrs. Dorothy SmithUrban Schaub Judy and Jeff Marcinkowski Mrs. Erika SchaubWalter Fuller Carl and Sharlynn FullerWayne Schaub Judy and Jeff Marcinkowski Mrs. Erika SchaubWilma Jean Swartz- Zulauf Mr. James WilsonMargaret Waite Eloise Cihos and Jan Mjovig Emmanuel Congregational Church

In Honor of:Ken and Linda Wyman’s 50th Wedding Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Jim Abb Mr. and Mrs. John Braden Ms. Kathleen Huffman Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Newton Martha Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Mark SmithIn Honor Of Nell Luhman’s 90th Birthday Marsha L Marek

HARBOR LIGHT • DECEMBER 2016 4

Over 20 obstacles on a wet and sandy 5K course!• Enter as teams or individuals• Competitive or non-timed flights• Family-friendly Kid’s Zone• Friday night event/early check-in• Participants receive: shirt, medal, window decal• All proceeds benefi t Muskegon Rescue Mission

UPCOMING EVENTS

simply giveHelp Fill our Food Pantry through Meijer’s Simply Give!Now through December 31st!

Purchase the card shown in the picture for $10 at the Meijer Store located at 5300 S. Harvey Street and Meijer will convert the donation card into a Meijer Food-Only Gift Card and donate it directly to Muskegon Rescue Mission!

Please be our guest at a

FREE Soup & Bread Luncheon

Tuesday, Feb. 21 | 11:30 am - 1:00 pm The Event Center at Fricano’s, downtown Muskegon

Dessert and Co� ee will be available for purchase.There is no cost to attend this event. Donations are accepted with proceeds

going to support the ongoing work of Muskegon Rescue Mission.

For more information and to register, at Foreshore.org

Saturday, May 20, 2017

Pere Marquette Beach

6 HARBOR LIGHT • DECEMBER 2016

Muskegon Rescue Mission1715 Peck StreetMuskegon, MI 49441(231) 727-6090FAX (231) 722-7030

www.muskegonmission.org

Board of DirectorsBryan Betten, PresidentSuzanne Beckeman, Vice PresidentDave Parnin, SecretaryRoger Doctor, TreasurerCedric ScottJudge Andrew WierengoRick Ebeling

Harbor Light is a publication of Muskegon Rescue Mission and is produced quarterly.

MINISTRY UPDATES

New MRM Volunteer Coordinator,

Meet Melissa

A few weeks ago, the men from our New Life Program, staff, and volunteer mentors spent a few days at a retreat focusing on “The Making of a Man.” The staff and volunteer mentors that attended the retreat were able to add more voices to their time together and brought truth and love to their conversations. They were able to create a 1 to 1 ratio with men and mentors, which gave them the ability to have great conversations and dig deeper with the men as they battled together toward holiness. Grace Adventures was the perfect setting for this year’s retreat. Through five video sessions they walked through different ways that men need to follow God. They reviewed areas that need to be focused on and discussed things that need to

be given to God. The video time was a great launching point, but more than that, they were able to personalize their conversation to make it about their lives and the struggles they have dealt with or currently face. We have already seen God work in the lives of these men and cannot wait to see how this

retreat continues to grow them in the days and years ahead. The stories of these men are beautiful examples of the lasting change that is made possible

through the help of faithful friends like you. These men have expressed their gratitude for the generous gifts that donors provide to help make programs and this ministry possible! Your continued prayers and support of programs like this are greatly appreciated!

New Life Men’s Retreat:

“The Making of a Man”

“Be watchful, stand firm in the

Faith, act like men, be strong.”— 1 Corinthians 16:13

We are excited to have Melissa Boughner join the team here at Muskegon Rescue Mission. Volunteers are a vital part of our ministry, as hundreds of people from the community give their time and talents to enrich the lives of the homeless men, women, and children that are cared for throughout the year. Melissa will be working daily with our staff and volunteers to help keep the many programs and events here at the mission running smoothly. If you would like to know more about volunteer opportunities, please contact Melissa in the office at 231.727.6090 or email her directly at mboughner@muskegonmission.org. If you are a current volunteer and haven’t met Melissa yet, please reach out and introduce yourself, we know she would love to meet you!