November 2020 Newsletter

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Serving And Receiving

Adam liked serving others as he was receiving help. He said, “I enjoyed working in the Mission kitchen, the fellowship, coffee in the morning, serving food, trying to put a smile on people’s faces, the comradery.” He said our Food Service Supervisor was like a father figure. Adam wanted to work hard and have family again. It was like he was trying to prove himself worthy of being received back into the family that had severed ties with him.

His family suffered a loss when his sister died. Adam said, “I developed a drinking issue. I never sought help and drank to bury those feelings. I was close to her.” He moved into his parent’s house and became an alcoholic, depressed, unemployed. One evening all those emotions irrupted into a family meltdown. He was made to leave, grabbing only a backpack and tent. For two days and nights, he lived on the beach of the South Umpqua River, with a diet of only beef jerky and water.

Searching “homeless shelter” on his phone “Roseburg Rescue Mission” popped up. He called for policies and directions. Adam said, “I was very scared. I didn’t know anyone here or what it would be like. I had fears of COVID (being diabetic) and fears of being around other men.” But a supervisor showed him around, explained the routine, informed him of where to lock and refrigerate his insulin. He said, “I was relieved that I had a bed. It felt so good to have a shower.”

Restoration would take the right environment and honest work. Adam said, “After getting here, I stopped drinking. I knew I had to make a serious change in my life. I wanted to make it up to my parents. Here, I knew I would be able to progress. I started thinking more clearly. I don’t know if I was angry at God, or who I was angry with, but I was very depressed. I stopped going to church and stopped praying. When camping, I started praying again. After that, things started to fall into place.”

At the Mission, Adam fulfilled his work requirement in our Kitchen, because food service is the area of his experience. One of our Program cooks called his old restaurant manager, giving Adam a good reference. He said, “I got the job almost right on the phone.” After an in person interview and a drug test, he had a job delivering food orders. He requested to be put on our Transitional Housing Program waiting list. Six weeks later, he had his own rental room.

Adam appreciated our chapel time. He said, “I look forward to praise and worship. I really like the music and miss it from when I went to church when I was younger. The sermons always have something different to reflect on and apply to my life, and I look forward to the next one. God is going to give me something. I take them very personally. I don’t take things for granted anymore.”