It's A Marathon!

I recently attended a graduation celebration for Open Door Mission guests that completed the New Life Recovery Program or the Journey to Work Program. We praised God together in worship and then heard the testimonies of the graduates before a time of food and fellowship.

As I heard the graduates tell where they have been (unemployed, incarcerated, suffering an addiction, and/or victims of domestic abuse) and where they are now (sober, disciples of Christ, employed and filled with hope) I viewed their months in their Open Door Mission program as a marathon for each of them.

I am a marathon runner and I know that in the midst of the run there are points of joy as one passes mile markers and hears the crowds cheering you on. In addition, there are many instances of pain, suffering, and wondering if you can finish. Our graduates have passed through many joyful thresholds of accomplishment in their programs and they have been cheered on by staff, fellow students, and family members. Yet, each graduate has also experienced much pain and suffering along the way as they have withdrawn from addictions and changed thought patterns and actions that have been destructive in the past. They have crossed the finish line because in Christ all things are possible and they are now ready for a new life that breaks the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

Praise God that each graduate is now ready to run the race ahead of them in life and become a blessing to others as they draw on blessings from God each day!

Scott Shreve
Senior Development Director
402-829-1538

Con Agra Team Building = Fleece Blankets!

Con Agra Enterprise Procurement decided to initiate team building with a mission. The mission was to not only to build a stronger team, but also provide blankets for Open Door Mission. So the 30 people on their team went to work making fleece blankets. There was laughter, hard work, fun and two hours later there were 21 handmade blankets for the Mission. Their efforts are much appreciated because these blankets will provide a special warmth this winter with hope for the holidays and a better life.

Would your group, organization or church like to provide hope also? Please visit Open Door Mission's website to find out how you can bring Hope for the Holidays to the thousands of hungry and homeless in your community.

Make a difference this holiday season…

• Set up your Hope for the Hungry food drive.
• Schedule your Project Santa drive.
• Request your set of Christmas Bells to provide gifts for hurting adults.
• Sign up to Adopt-A-Family.
• Deliver TURKEY 'N' FIXIN'S boxes.
• Sort and bag new, unwrapped toys.

Thank you for helping break the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

Maggie Cope
Communications Coordinator

As I sit here on a Friday, I am contemplating the end of one week and yet the beginning of a new one and how that is true over the whole spectrum of life. Every ending is a new beginning for something. For instance, in recovery, one has to end their old life style in order to begin a new one. Someone once told me that every change in life is both a loss and a gain depending on how one chooses to focus on it. That is definitely something that we teach our men here at Open Door Mission and it is greatly empowering as well. Rarely do we find anyone who has been through more losses than our men here on the recovery program. If they can begin to view those past losses as changes instead of meaningless experiences they suffered and trust God who was and is still in control, they can begin for the first time in their lives to realize some of the true power of Christ in setting them free. Not so much freedom from the pain as freedom from slavery to it. We call it “reframing”. Taking an experience, looking at it realistically, and figuring out what God has to offer and teach us from it.

As I write this, I must admit that I am so proud of our men. Lately, they have been put through a barrage of changes and have chosen to focus on them in a positive life-changing way. The Word of God teaches us that we are all made in His image and therefore people carry so much more potential than we realize. It is definitely a privilege to see our men prove that daily.

That’s why our Lord died on a cross 2,000 years ago, isn’t it? This certainly was a horrendously evil event, definitely an incredible loss. Yet, God brought out of that very act the most blessed event in mankind’s history - He redeemed us and made us righteous. The most evil act was made the most righteous act; the biggest loss in history was made into the greatest gain of all time. I can’t think of a more important message for our men to understand.

It was my privilege just 2 days ago to be setting with one of our men explaining this to him when he told me that he was already saved but needed to act upon it and start building his life on this foundation. So he decided to rededicate his life to Christ on the spot. I don’t have to tell you what an honor that was for me. Further, that is something we get to experience all the time here. Our men have the same potential that we do, just different experiences. When those experiences lead to life-altering beliefs, the only cure is Biblical beliefs. Recovery is essentially replacing faulty belief systems (in several areas) with appropriate belief systems. Isn’t it great to have that from an objective source? Thank God for his revealed Word or all I would be able to offer is my own faulty beliefs. Beliefs have tremendous transforming power. No wonder the Word of God has so much to say about belief from cover to cover.

The weather is changing, the economy is changing, and the world is changing around us, but I just praise Him for the anchor He has provided and hope to teach others to do so too.

Stan Latta
Men’s Recovery Services Director

Thank you Kwik Shop and Kwik Shop Customers

Thank you Kwik Shop and Kwik Shop customers that took part in the "Buy A Plate" to help support the Open Door Mission. For the entire month of September, Kwik Shop did a fund raiser to help the Open Door Mission provide hot, nutritious meals to many hungry and homeless men, women, and children.

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In the above picture Candace Gregory, President/CEO stands with Jimmy Lewis, Kwik Shop Regional Operations Manager, and other employees that made this all possible. They presented Candace with a check for over $22,000 that was collected in this fundraiser.

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Open Door Mission is grateful for the partnership with Kwik Shop.

Handmade Quilts Bring Warmth and Hope

Joan has been providing handmade baby quilts to Open Door Mission’s Lydia House and those it serves for almost two years. She lovingly provides these quilts for children she will never see, but knows they will be something special for the child that receives one. Her quilts don’t just provide warmth for the child, but also show the mother that others care about her and her child. Joan is sharing God’s love in a very special way. We appreciate Joan’s labors of love because the quilt becomes a gift of love and hope to a needy family. Thank you also to her daughter Deb, for faithfully bringing the blankets to Open Door Mission.

Would you like to share God’s love in a special way? As Open Door Mission prepares to serve 6,000 children at Christmas we need hats, scarves, mittens and gloves and fleece blankets, as well as new toys. Would you and your organization, workplace, church or family please help provide a Christmas of Hope for the homeless and near homeless? Please check out our website for details on how you can provide Hope for the Holidays.

Maggie Cope
Communications Coordinator

Grand Canyon

I was recently in the Grand Canyon with my wife and son. The views from the rim and along the trails down the Canyon were beautiful and awe inspiring. As our guide told us how the many layers that are exposed in the Canyon developed over millions of years I thought of our programs at Open Door Mission. In fact, I did!

The New Life Recovery Program and Journey to Work Program are measured in months, not millions of years, but each day, week, and month in a program provides a new layer of life skills, educational ability, and spiritual development for each individual enrolled. The solid foundation upon which all layers form is faith in Jesus Christ, our solid rock. Then layers of emotional coping skills, Biblical knowledge, maintenance of sobriety, educational and computer skills, job readiness insights equip each graduate for new life!

The Grand Canyon is a wonder of the world and each graduate from an Open Door Mission program is a grand wonder as well. If you would like to explore a Planned Gift to support the work of Open Door Mission please contact me.

Scott Shreve
Senior Development Director
(402) 422-1111, ext. 1538

Night Watch in the Lydia House

I work primarily in the Lydia House Children & Youth Department. It has been a blessing to share the love of Jesus with our kids.
Last month, Charity asked if I would fill in for our Overnight Supervisor during her surgery and recovery. I had never worked the midnight to 8 a.m. shift before and wondered how the change would affect me physically. The Lord has blessed me to be able to handle the change of sleeping during the day.

As Overnight Supervisor, I do periodic room checks throughout the Emergency A & B wings, file, sort mail, clean, assist in handing out medications and much more. During this time, I am reminded of Psalm 63:6, “When I remember you on my bed; I meditate on you in the night watches.” and Psalm 119:148, “My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I might meditate on Your Word.” (KJV)

Ladies will come to me and ask me to pray with them, or talk, because they couldn’t sleep. Moms will even bring their sick children to my office for medication and to keep them from disturbing other family members. I love being able to minister to families and ladies in this way and thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve during the ‘Night Watch’ at Open Door Mission.

Janice M. Loud
Lydia House Children & Youth Department
Night Watch – House Supervisor

Planting Tree at the New Lydia House

Today some homeless men from Open Door Mission the joined Candace Gregory, Open Door Mission's President/CEO, Richard DenHerder, Open Door Mission's Director of Finance, Jack Phillips Local Arborist and Mike King, Open Door Mission's Garland Thompson Men's Center Case Manager in planting 19 trees and shrubs around the New Lydia House that is set to open in January 2010

Southwest Kiwanis Club

On Tuesday October 20, Open Door Mission’s Children and Youth Department partnered with the Southwest Kiwanis Club for a night of fun with the independent living seniors at Immanuel Village. Our night began at 6 p.m., with the children making pillows and decorating door hangers. After the arts and crafts they enjoyed punch and cookies and taking pictures with the seniors.

The children and the residents had a great night of sharing stories and getting to know one another. We look forward to going back on the November 17.

Pastor Tyrome Charleston

Children & Youth Director

Southwest Church of Christ

Pastor Jim, from Southwest Church of Christ, and his friend Dave stopped by Open Door Mission this week to bring a “small” gift to help out during the holidays. It was no “small” gift--it was over 1,000 pounds of donations ranging from canned goods to clothing. His congregation out of compassion for others, chose to make a difference by donating to the homeless and near homeless in the Heartland.



The holidays are fast approaching and for many in our area it will not be a joyous time of celebration--they are hungry, hurting and in many cases feeling hopeless. Would you please help Open Door Mission reach out with hope and help for those seeking just the basic necessities of life?

• Open Door Mission and Lydia House will provide more than 91,000 hot, nutritious meals this holiday season to the hungry and homeless in the Heartland. Set up your Hope for the Hungry food drive.

• Reach out to more than 6,000 boys and girls and bring the joy of Christmas to their hurting hearts with your donation of new toys to Open Door Mission. Schedule your Project Santa toy drive.

• Provide gifts for hurting adults who are lonely and need to know someone cares. Request your set of Christmas Bells.

• Please, volunteer today, to give your time to make ‘Drumsticks on Wheels’ and ‘Project Santa (A Drive-Thru Christmas)’ the best events ever.

Make a difference this holiday season--give hope and joy to those who need it the most--visit Open Door Mission’s website for more ways to become involved.



Maggie Cope
Communications Coordinator