A Basketball Challenge

A couple of years ago some young men on the program really loved playing basketball and the bragging and boasting (playfully) started and the challenge was given to staff to take on the program members. Mind you, the staff, though experienced, are not young anymore but took the challenge. We had some exciting 4 on 4, half court games over the next few months with the young men pretty much dominating. Participating staff included administration as well as program staff. These are blessed times with laughter, lots of shoving and sweat but always with great sportsmanship, until the staff finally prevailed...once! God gave us good bodies for this stuff, hearts that care and a willingness to be close. It is all good and we thank the Lord for these great moments with the men.

(Submitted by Gary Mountz - Men's Ministries Director at City Union Mission)

Mission Guest and Staff Assist a Stranded Student

Kezia, a college student from a community college in Concordia, Kansas, was stranded at Greyhound Bus Station.  Carlton, a long time City Union Mission guest, led her to the Mission .  He was afraid that thieves or rapists may attack her if she remained on the streets.

KCI lost Kezia's luggage, and her flight was delayed.  By the time she arrived, her soccer coach had left Kansas City, and was not planning to return.  She was stranded.  Caleb, a new Mission volunteer assistant chaplain, and I allowed her to make long distance telephone calls to friends and teachers for help.   No one was available, and her family was in the Virgin Islands.

We called the Hotline for the Homeless for advice and assistance.  An operator named Kim was very helpful and professional.  She contacted her supervisors, and made arrangements for Kezia to stay in the overflow section at the Mission’s Family Center.

Meanwhile, we prayed, and asked God for direction.  We considered asking Greyhound for compassion fare assistance.  Kezia said, "I don’t think this is possible, but we can try."  Caleb and I reminded her that with God all things are possible. 

When we arrived at Greyhound, a manager was standing outside.  We explained the situation, and he approved a $25 voucher for Kezia.  Kezia had $13.00 available, but the ticket to the nearest station in Salina, KS (with discount) was $52.50.  Caleb paid the balance, and gave Kezia some spending money.

Kezia smiled brightly as the Greyhound clerk handed her the ticket.  Kezia was very thankful to God and City Union Mission.  She gave us all a round of hugs.  She knows now that with God all things are possible.  Please remember her in your prayers.  Keep praying for long time Mission guest, Carlton too.  I believe someday, he will admit that God is real!  Amen?

  

(Submitted by Charles McField, Evening Chaplain at the Emergency Men’s Shelter at City Union Mission)

Long-term Program Men Retreat to Warsaw, MO

Every year, the Christian Life Program takes two retreats to the Mission's property in rural Warsaw, Missouri.  The retreats provide a time of relaxation and learning, where the men on the program can interact with staff and with each other in a more informal setting.  From softball games to team-building exercises to fishing on the lake, the men enjoy a break from the normal routine and a time closer to God's Creation.

The theme of this year's spring retreat was "Biblical Manhood."  In chapel sessions and break-out groups, we discussed the roles and responsibilities that God has given to men, as described in the Bible. Our topics included discipleship, leadership, work, and marriage.  In the lives of many men, these important topics were either mis-taught or not taught.

In a Christian recovery program, part of "recovery" involves dealing with the issues connected to addiction.  Addiction has prevented many men from fulfilling their God-given roles and responsibilities.  At the same time, only through a relationship with God and the grace He provides can anyone become the person God wants them to be.  For the members of the Christian Life Program, I believe that God used the retreat to provide some meaningful encouragement, direction, and healing as the men grow in their relationship with Him.

(Submitted by David Phillips, Counselor for the Christian Life Program at City Union Mission.)

"You've got to help me. I can't do this"

One of the men on the recovery program recently stepped into my office and spoke my name. When I turned around to face him, I immediately saw that he was crying. He said, "You've got to help me. I can't do this."

This is his third time to try the program. He never got very far into the program the previous two times before he succumbed to his temptation to alcohol and drugs. Oftentimes, the temptation came from various members of his family, and old friends. It took a lot of despair and courage for this man to get up and try again.

But this time, he has been doing so much better in believing God can help him experience a changed life. He's been so much more open this time to receiving help from his case manager, counselor and teachers. With the help of the Learning Center Supervisor and volunteers, he is doing much better with his academics, increasing in his ability to read and comprehend at levels he's never before achieved. He's tasting a changed life and beginning to grow in the belief it can truly happen for him! Whereas he used to walk around in life, not believing that change can be in his future, he is believing it now. He's laughing more and smiling. It's such a delight to see the transformation!

It was this man, who was in my office crying and saying, "You've got to help me. I can't do this!" He found himself in a situation where he was being tempted with tobacco and marijuana. He made it priority to find a staff member to get the support he needed . . . "When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure" (1 Cor. 10:13). He humbled himself, acknowledging to himself and another safe person that he needed help, and that's where he found grace. "God gives grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5:5). His case manager was brought in to assist and we told him how proud we were of him for what not being afraid to ask for help. We walked him through his response to the temptation. It was amazingly wonderful to see God's Spirit bringing him hope, confidence and peace where there has been despair, darkness and bondage! God wins!

(Submitted by Bret Kroh – Asst. Administrator of the Christian Life Program at City Union Mission).

Field Trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum hosted a field trip in March for the men in our Christian Life Program and they had an incredible time!  The history represented in this building is captivating and thought-provoking as individuals not only revel in America’s favorite past-time and learn about some incredible athletes that many people are not aware of, but also forced to see some of the more discomforting aspects of the American experience. 

As if this were not enough, this particular evening was made more special as Frank White, 5-time golden glove winning second baseman for the Royals, shared some of his experiences as a player and some life-lessons he’s learned along the way. 

There were several lessons he shared, but here are just a few.  Accountability – Being held responsible by others to do what we’re supposed to do and do it with excellence.  What a testimony as Frank shared how Cookie Rojas told him as a rookie player that he was not to make excuses for not making plays.  Just admit that you did not make the play and do it next time.  Seek the truth – Frank shared how important it is to seek the truth about one’s self and adjust course when truth is encountered.  Frank shared that was also important as a rookie.

Thank you to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Frank White for making this outing special for these men in our program.

(Submitted by Greg Gay - Christian Life Program Administrator at City Union Mission)

A Handy Tool for Understanding the Events of Holy Week

CHRONOLOGY OF THE WEEK LEADING UP TO THE CRUCIFIXION & RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS

Note:  Jewish days began at sunset (6 pm) - thus, a Jewish Friday begins at 6 pm (our Thursday evening) and ends at 6 pm the following day, whereas our days are from midnight to midnight.

SATURDAY – Day before Palm Sunday

Anointed at Bethany - Mt. 26:6-13;  Mk. 14:3-9;  Jn. 12:1-11

PALM SUNDAY

Enters Jerusalem triumphantly - Mt. 21:1-11;  Mk. 11:1-11;  Lk. 19:28-40;  Jn. 12:12-19

Weeps over the city - Lk. 19:41-44

Healing of the blind & lame - Mt. 21:14-17

MONDAY

Curses the fig tree - Mt. 21:18-22;  Mk. 11:12-14, 20-26

Cleanses the temple - Mt. 21:12, 13;  Mk. 11:15-19;  Lk. 19:45-48

Son of Man must be lifted up / Unbelief of the multitude - Jn. 12:20-50

TUESDAY

Teaches by parables in the temple - Mt. 21:23 - 22:14;  Mk. 11:27 - 12:12;  Lk. 20:1-19

Confounds the religious leaders -  Mt. 22:15 - 23:39;  Mk. 12:13-40;  Lk. 20:20-47

The Widow's Gift - Mk. 12:41-44; Lk. 21:1-4

Delivers the Olivet Discourse -  Mt. 24:1 - 25:46;  Mk. 13:1-37;  Lk. 21:5-38

WEDNESDAY

Judas plots with Sanhedrin - Mt. 26:1-5, 14-16;  Mk. 14:1,2,10,11;  Lk. 22:1-6

THURSDAY - Our Thursday evening - beginning of Jewish Friday

Washes the disciple’s feet and eats Passover meal (Last Supper) - Jn. 13:1-38;  Mt. 26:17-30;  

Mk. 14:12-26; Lk. 22:7-38

Delivers last words to disciples -  Jn. 14 - 17

Prays in the garden and is betrayed - Mt. 26:31-56;  Mk. 14:32-52;  Lk. 22:39-53;  Jn. 18:1-12

FRIDAY - Beginning very late on our Thursday eve and going through Fri. afternoon – Preparation Day)

Brought before Annas.  Peter’s first denial of Jesus - Jn. 18:12-23

Brought before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.  Peter’s second & third denial of Jesus.  The rooster  crows.  Jesus mocked, blindfolded & beaten. -  Mt. 26:57-75, 27: 1; Mk. 14:53-72, 15:1; Lk. 22:54-71; Jn. 18:24-27

Brought before Pilate the first time.  Judas hangs himself. - Mt. 27:2-14;  Mk. 15:1-5;  Lk. 23:1-5; Jn. 18:28-40

Sent to Herod Antipas. - Lk. 23:6-12

Before Pilate a second time.  Condemned, mocked, and beaten. - Mt. 27:15-31;  Mk. 15:6-20;  Lk. 23:13-25;  
Jn. 19:1-16

Crucified at Golgotha (the third hour - 9 am) - Mt. 27:31-44;  Mk. 15:20-33;  Lk. 23:26-43; Jn. 19:16-30

Darkness throughout the land - 6th through 9th hour / noon to 3 p.m.). Jesus dies 9th hour / 3 p.m. - Mt. 27:45-56; Mk. 15:33-41; Lk. 23:44-49; Jn. 19:30-37

Buried in Joseph’s tomb. -  Mt. 27:57-61;  Mk. 15:42-47;  Lk. 23:50-56a;  Jn. 19:31-42

SATURDAY

Pilate seals the tomb and appoints a guard.  Sabbath rest. -  Mt. 27:62-66;  Lk. 23:56b

SUNDAY

Rises from the dead and appears to Mary Magdalene (still dark). - Mt. 28:1-10; Mk. 16:1-8;  Jn. 20:1-18

Appears to the women. - Mk. 16:9-11; Lk. 24:1-12

Appears to Peter. - Lk. 24:34;  I Cor. 15:5

Soldiers bribed to lie. - Mt. 28:11-15

Appears to the Emmaus disciples. -  Mk. 16:12,13;  Lk. 24:13-32

Appears to the disciples w/o Thomas. - Mk. 16:14-18;  Lk. 24:33-49;  Jn. 20:19-25; I Cor. 15:5

Appears to the disciples with Thomas. - Jn. 20:26-29



Worship

On Tuesday and Thursday of every week the members of the Christian Life Program gather in the Multipurpose room of the CLC and spend time in worship to our Lord and God.  It is a very simple meeting with some singing and praying, yet it has become a highlight of the men’s activities.  At 7 a.m. after some coffee and breakfast they simply gather throughout the 50 x 80 foot room, some at tables, some standing, some sitting, and we worship God in songs of praise and thanksgiving.  With the words projected on a screen with an overhead projector and a CD of the song, we bless God and we pray.  We pray for each other and for this world which desperately needs Him.  It is a blessed event.

As a Mission staff member I am blown away with the hunger to worship the men have.  They leave the room singing the songs.  They come to me asking for copies of the words.  Today a new man on the program, Derek, at the end asked to say something and turned to the group of 60 or so men and said how he has been in many churches with sometimes hundreds of people and has never heard men sing with such heart and soul. 

This has been our dream for some time, to begin days looking at and to God as a hungry people.  Honoring God as our God with thanksgivings for His willing suffering, death, burial, resurrection and then sending us His Spirit.  What a privilege and joy to be with these men worshipping God. 

(Submitted by Gary Mountz, Men’s Ministries Director at City Union Mission.)

A Special Thank You for Mission: Christmas 2012

As another Christmas Distribution Day wound down on Monday December 24th, I was reflecting on all the work that went into making that day so successful.  It took months of careful planning, diligent scheduling, daily execution of the plans, and of course all of the volunteers who gave their time to help qualify each of the families, those who helped them shop in our store, and those who wrapped the many gifts that more donors were now delivering. 

As I looked over a mountain of paperwork sitting on one of our tables, I saw a nicely decorated envelope with a bow on top. I asked if anyone knew what it was, and a volunteer told me one of our volunteer deliverers had brought it back from a family they delivered to. I was somewhat surprised to find that envelope addressed to us. So I just had to open it and see what this might be about.   Inside was a beautiful Christmas card, which read, "Thanks so much for all you do each year for me and my family. We really love you guys!   We wish you all the best." 

I began to share the note with those that were here helping wrap things up.  A longtime volunteer remarked he couldn't ever remember a family sending such a card.  What an encouragement to know the impact that the Mission has made on that family! I couldn't resist the opportunity to share this with others and especially those who have had a hand in helping this Christmas.

So to all those who donated this Christmas - thank you for your support of the Mission and efforts to minister to those in the community; And to all those who volunteered their time and efforts - thank you for your part in helping make a successful ‘Mission: Christmas 2012’ and being a blessing to so many families like this one this Christmas.   

(From Scott Wilson, Seasonal Projects Administrator at City Union Mission)