Easter Memories at the Mission

As most of you know, I was in the ministry and for 25 years ran a Christian Rescue Mission in upstate Rochester, New York. These are my Easter memories, which are centered on people who were most in need.

We had a Christian rehab program for men, but we had a problem: Our guys came to us from Crisis-Housing, right off the cold hard streets of the city, druggies, alcoholics. We also got drop-offs by the police, like the guys who wandered away fro the state psych center. In those days if a person on a "Day Pass" and didn't come back they were discharged fro the hospital roster only to wander the streets in all kinds of weather.

Yep, they were a Motley Crew.

Each had a story — not above embellishment for a buck out of the listener. Hey, they were pros at survival. You had to be if you were going to live in upstate New York where winter gets below 0 degrees for days on end. Some had educational degrees and good families too. A lot were vets, unfortunately.

They slept in the tunnels of the old subway, wrapped in cardboard deep in the tunnels. Heck some even had blankets. Some would crawl out on the underside of the bridge where the steam pipes were to lay on for warmth.

The OS&Y valve was a favorite spot because it was the warmest but you had to be careful, not too close especially if you took you shoes or boots off. Sometimes they would touch the valve a burn the bottom of their feet throughout the wet socks they wore. They would put their boots back on and go of looking for a buck or a meal. After a few days the burns  would turn gangrene and the smell is hard to describe. I would put them in my car and take them to emergency where the doctors would cut the skin off trying to save the foot ... sometimes they did too. Most had amputations ending up in our housing programs or a social service program.

Then there were those you got calls about in the middle of the night from the morgue or hospital wanting me to identify the body or person. That happened a lot.

Despite the face we had a mobile medical truck and clothing programs — all free. If some one was sick we nursed them back to health. Had a caseworker too, straighten out checks etc. Another service we offered was a "rep payee" program where checks would come to us from Social Security and we would budge the money for them and make sure they had a roof over their head and food for the belly.

These were my people, my congregation. The ones I loved. 

In the daytime they would hit the missions for a free hot meal served by volunteer citizens who look like the couldn't wait to get home. The places smelled of purity clothes and urine and booze. Sometimes the smells were so strong they would gag a maggot. Staff would work hard to disinfect and make the places smell good but to no avail — once the doors opened and they shuffled in. I twas the same over and over. Seven days a week , 365 days for us. On Sunday's we would open at 11:30 for church service-we were the only mission to do that, but then we also did it every night too followed by a hot nourishing meal. For some it was the only meal of the day.

Over the years, many came to Christ. Inviting him in to their lives. You know what they were changed, just like you and me by the shed blood of Christ. Lives were remolded  changed forever.

Husbands went back to wives if they could. Some found jobs and became productive citizens. Some even ended up on one of our 40 staff positions. These victorys brought joy and tears to this old heart of mine. And I'm sure to GOD. 

Over the years, thousands of hurting given up on life folks came through our doors. We fed about 120,000 meals in the later years. All this was done with no grants, no government money. Only God's people giving out of their needs helping us , encouraging us to reach out to the lost, the least, for Christ. 

Thanks for the read. Happy Easter! And remember those who hurt and are less fortunate, your neighbor. There but for the grace of God goes I, Right here in Charleston and Summervile. In everything give thanks. 

Remember, God is good…All the time.  Pastor Kaye +