The Gospel Rescuer | Blog-site for Gospel Rescue Mission Tucson AZ

Archive for the ‘homelessness’ Category

Homeless Women & Children's Center Porch

Work has begun on the porch and overhang that surrounds the new building at the Women & Children’s Center. Progress on the building is being made daily and it is exciting. Our goal is to have the homeless center open by year’s end. We have an urgent need for about $650,000 to keep the construction moving along to completion on this one building alone. Please pray that God will raise up the donors and a “major” donor so we won’t have to slow down or halt construction.

If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and see the new center. It is beautiful to see and to know how many more women and children will receive much needed assistance out of homelessness and addiction for many years to come . Much thanks to our community for being an instrument of God to serve the least, the last, and the lost through financial gifts and volunteer labor.

There is  no doubt that the ministry of Gospel Rescue Mission is to “rescue” homeless men and women and addicts who are living at the “gates of Hell“. Some have already crossed over and we go there to get them back.

Praise God He uses us as His tools to reach the least, the last, and the lost…with their lives destroyed and all hope spent. People that society and even their family have often given up on. But God hasn’t given up. He created each person, loves each one and wants a personal relationship with them…the simple and true message of John 3:16.

We also know that Satan doesn’t like what God does in His rescue ministry at the Mission. Attacks come…spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, as Satan tries to thwart God’s work. It’s amazing the crazy things that can happen each day at the Mission. So, we need to keep our perspective and realize that it is not the person or problem that is our issue. It is the wiles of the evil one. Too often we can get upset or frustrated with the circumstance or person and miss the underlying cause.

We must then remind ourselves of the spiritual battle and putting on our armor of God, as found in Ephesians 6:10-18. Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness.

So, I guess it’s a good “thermometer” of sorts that we seem to regularly face some very difficult issues at the Mission, as it may indicate that Satan is not pleased with what God is doing at the Mission bringing men, women, and children to salvation, changing lives, making disciples and “rescuing” people from the gates of Hell. If nothing were happening for the “kingdom’s sake” then Satan wouldn’t care to attack. Praise God!

Below are 2 responses to a couple of the blog posts. One is from our Women’s Center Director and the other from Lisa, who was an intern from the University of Arizona this past semester. They share their insights and experiences with you.

As the Director of the Women and Children Center, it is so wonderfull to see how God is changing the lives of the women and children daily. I get blessed as I interact with those who are seeking God for the miracles and changes that are needed in their lives. I was really blessed to do chapel last month, I taught on John Chapter 5, the story aout the lame man at the pool of Betheseda, who was there for 38 years. Jesus asks, “Would you like to get well? I believe Jesus continues to ask that of each of us as Christians. He wants us to go deeper with Him so He can continue to transform our lives. I was challenged as well as the ladies, to say, “YES Jesus I want to get well.” Lilly

I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to see this (answered prayer) in action during my internship at WCC. I’ve never been one to say, “oh what a coincidence,” and instead am full aware, acknowledging and praising God for the miracles and prayers answered all around us everyday.  It’s just been such a blessing to have worked in a place where the concept of miracles versus “luck” is grasped in full. Lisa

We remain amazed as God faithfully meets the needs of the Mission. It seems as soon as we are out of something or need something when we pray…God answers, over and over again. We have one story after another. Today I received this email from Becky, our Kitchen Supervisor.  This answered prayer demonstrates God’s love and concern for the homeless.

Here is Becky’s account:

I just had to share this. Lately donations of food have been down here & there seems to be a real shortage of dairy products even at the food bank. Last week the ladies were in quite an uproar because of a shortage of eggs, milk & cottage cheese.  I have been buying milk & cottage cheese & serving it sparingly. I felt like eggs were something we could manage without. Well, last week the ladies were really upset because we had no eggs for several days. In community meeting I reminded them that they needed to be thankful for what God provided for them & ask Him for eggs. I assured them that this has always worked. God always supplies our needs & even gives us extra stuff that we just want. Today I went to the food bank & for the 1^st time in months they had beautiful eggs that were not outdated & broken I got 36 dozen & not one was broken!!!! GOD IS SO FAITHFUL, we just need to remember to be thankful & trust Him. I just couldn’t keep it to myself…Thanks…Becky 

God is indeed amazing and every day we get to witness His hand in the lives of the homeless men, women, and children, as well as in the Mission itself. Come and be a part of it!!!

Over 400 hot dogs were served to homeless men and several families at our Men’s Center on Memorial Day. Coming inside out of the 90 degree heat was a welcome relief in and of itself. The food, movies, and fellowship made the day go by quickly and successfully. Time was set aside to recognize the Veterans during the event.