EASTER ISSUE 2008 u A PUBLICATION OF THE BAY AREA RESCUE MISSION

From Living in a Garbage Dump . . .

to eating at the King’s Table
M
y name is David. Of all the
passages in the Bible, I
relate most to the story of
the prodigal son. I once had a good
relationship with family and many
friends. But I started using drugs and
Encouraging Words before long, I walked away from my
from John faith and everyone who loved me.
Pg. 2 The prodigal son lived in a pig sty
and just before I came to the Bay
Area Rescue Mission I was
actually living in the garbage
dump. What started as a
recreational use of drugs
became a 20-year addiction
to methamphetamines
and that took me to rock
bottom. Then, I finally came
to my senses and admitted
My Life was Like
that I had a problem and that
Sinking in Quicksand I needed help.
Pg. 3
For too many years I was a ship
without a rudder. I had no plan. I had
no goals. I just bounced around with
no direction. But I kept hearing a
small voice saying, “David, what you
are doing is not right. Turn your life
around.” It’s one thing to hear the
voice . . . it’s another to obey it.
I’m finding my way home
Today, because of God’s
The Prayer of One love, the compassion of
Who Has No Home
Pg. 4
the Mission’s staff, and wonderful
generosity of the Mission’s donors,
I’m finding my way home. I’m a recent
graduate of the Mission’s Recovery
Program and now in the Rescue
Mission’ apprenticeship program. I’ve
never been happier or more fulfilled.
This Easter will be a special time
for me as I have the opportunity to
help others who are homeless and
needy. I’m going to tell them
“Of all the that God wants to Rescue
them, too.
passages in Thank you for helping
the Bible, people like me to discover
I relate most to the right way to live. Your
support of the Bay Area
the story of the Rescue Mission saved my
prodigal son.” life! What greater gift could
you ever give a person? Thank
you and God bless you for caring.
Thank you for
giving a second
chance at life!

u 2114 MACDONALD AVE. u RICHMOND, CA 94801 u 510-215-4555 u www.BayAreaRescue.org

 m
A Message fro
erson
John M. And
ission,
f th e B a y A rea Rescue M
o
Dear Friend million
h av e p ro v ided some two ths.
sion w ill 14 mon
e y o u re a d this, the Mis of shelter during the past ide help,

B
y the tim 00 nights us to prov
e a ls a n d m ore than 80,0 partnership that allows
m ur
k God for yo our doors. y Area
How we than ose who come through th e h ea rt beat of the Ba
aling to th in. You a re e w ind
hope and he ef ore , a n d I’ ll say it aga oney and influence are th ss you for
it b f time, m . God ble
I’ve said Y o u r donations o ere would be no Mission
is si on .
Rescue M out you th
en e at h o u r w ings. With of people in n
eed.
b th e liv e s
ent in
your investm e
away
turn people heart. I said what hurts m ms
ost
e n w h e n w
re brok a ks my om Mo
Our hearts a cently asked me what bre ore than 3,000 requests fr ny women
re lm a
Someone lone we could not fulf il s G o d ’s h e a rt, too. Too m od,
7a ak fo
is that in 200 elter. And I k now this bre . Too many are w ithout
fo r sh t st re e ts lution to th is heart-
and Kids o n th e co ld , we
il l fi n d a so
are left we w
and children ical care. Please pray that
clothing or m y.
ed at a sincere
n ee d, we find th
The Resurrection ged a m a n in s to move a
brea king tra it ’s a m o th er, a child or re glad you’re here begin d Christ
Is Ongoing
er
But wheth arm hug and a welcome,
we’
a lo ve th at the resurrecte
w ve —
handsha ke, a in. That’s the power of lo new
mountain of
p a
s fo r th e n ee dy. n e w li fe , ne w hope and
The same power that our heart cus on the at’s why we
has placed in ost Easter. Again, we fo the Mission for help. Th d,
brought Christ back from the Now it’s
alm
ll w ho co m e to h a ve a fr ie n d in the worl
a ’t
s available to oor that reads, If you don that bold promise. God
dead is still operative within opportunitie fr o n t d e u p to
on our g us liv
the hearts of those who are keep the sign ere. Thank you for helpin ason.
eh se
you’ll find on eep you during the Easter
Christ’s. The resurrection is k ess,
bless you and o f th e p o o r and homel
an ongoing thing — a truth On behalf

validated every day of the ector
n d er so n , E xecutive Dir
year at the Mission. Thank .A
Rev. John M
ission.
you for your loyal support of
Bay Area Rescue M
God’s work of rescue during
u a r e th e h e artbeat of the ney and influence are
“Yo ns of time, m
o
this Easter season.
Your donatio ind beneath our wings.”
the w

Thank You for Providing Help, Hope and Heal

T
he vast majority of health understanding, values and inner strength.
professionals today are familiar And it also helps to heal the mental,
with the strength-giving powers of physical and spiritual issues. Deuteronomy
hope. We could not agree more. That’s 8:3 says, “. . . man does not live on bread
because at the Bay Area Rescue Mission alone but on every word that comes from
when people know they have hope, they the mouth of God.”
are capable of enduring the most rigorous
challenges of recovery. Thank you for your faithfulness
The good news is that God’s message We at the Bay Area Rescue Mission
of love is the promise of healing. Yes, thank you for your role in sharing this
quite often the Bible provides comfort, message of help, healing and hope with
2
 My Life was Like Sinking in Quicksand . . . Taking it One
Step Further
until a loving God rescued me. Do more than survive: live

M
y name is Tara. I’m thankful
for the Bay Area Rescue
Mission because this place
of rescue reintroduced me to Jesus.
For too many years I actually thought
I was in full control of my life.
But my best laid plans went
nowhere. They just got
me into more drugs and
such as you who gives your time and
money to the Mission to help people
in need. I appreciate the food, the
clothing, the warm shelter and the
arms of love that surround me each
day. For as long as I’m at the
Bay Area Rescue Mission
this is my home — a place
“God was where the living God
Do more than touch: feel
Do more than look: observe
Do more than read: absorb
Do more than take notice: listen
Do more than just do:
do the right thing

more jail time. I also put always close to lives. I thank my Lord, the Do more than spend: invest
myself into a violent me, but I refused Mission, and I thank you Do more than have a good day:
domestic relationship. for giving me hope for a make it a good day
One thing’s for sure: to get close better life. Happy Easter
if I hadn’t come here to Him.” to you and your family. Do more than your best:
I would probably have outshine yesterday
committed suicide. Do more than listen:
When I arrived at the Mission understand
I was singing Jesus loves me, this I
know. I know God’s always been with Do more than think: reflect
me, but I never responded to His
Do more than chat:
love. God was always close to me,
say something
but I refused to get close to Him.
Today, it’s so different. My spirit is Do more than just sing:
more alive than ever. My life used to make your song a joyful noise
be a pile of quicksand into which I unto the Lord
was sinking deeper and deeper. But
my Lord reached out his hand and Do more than have a good day:
rescued me from the pit. make it a great day!
And to make it a great day call
I’m grateful for everything Dave K and become a volunteer
I’m receiving at the Mission . . .
So many people are involved
in my recovery, including a person Dave Kachurka, Director of
Volunteer Services at
510-215-4865
DaveK@BayAreaRescue.org
It feels good to be rescued.
Thank you for helping me
find my way home.

ling for Homeless and Needy in the Bay Area

those who come through our doors. It’s
“When people because of your generosity that we remain
know they open. You stood beside us so faithfully
during the recent holiday months by
have hope, they
providing nourishing food, safe shelter and
are capable of the opportunity to hear God’s Word. As
enduring the a result, thousands of desperate people
most rigorous found rest for their weary souls.
Now we come to you again at the
challenges of beginning of the Easter season, asking
recovery.” you to make an investment in the lives of
people in need. You are a valued member
of our Mission family, and we thank you in
advance for your generosity.
To send your donation today, please
use the remit slip enclosed. You may also
give your gift on our secure web site at
www.BayAreaRescue.org, or call us at
510-215-4555. Thank you for being our
partner in caring for the homeless and
needy in the Bay Area during the Easter
season and throughout the year.
3

The Prayer of One
Who Has No Home
L
ord, you once reminded the prophet
Isaiah that those who put their faith in
you would have the wings of eagles . . .
that they would not be weary, and they’d walk
and not faint. Lord, life is getting me down
right now. I need those wings so bad. My walk
needs to be more steady. And I’m not alone.
My friends on the street are as desperate as I
am. I hope you hear this prayer, Lord, because
I’m at the end of my rope. Thank you for
listening . . . and for praying for me.
2007 Year Stats
• Meals Provided – 1,511,101
• Beds for the Homeless – 72,652
• Program Graduates – 187
• Total number of people helped through the ministries
of the Bay Area Rescue Mission – 1,013,165
• Number of people who accepted Jesus in 2007 – 3,101
My Easter Gift
YES, John, please use my donation
to help feed and clothe those in need
during the Easter season.
m Please bill my credit card
m VISA m MC m AMEX m DISCOVER
ACCOUNT NO. EXP. DATE
NAME SIGNATURE
ADDRESS
CITY / STATE / ZIP
EMAIL ADDRESS
Getting Out
the Shoebox
I
t’s been said that the most used financial record
keeping method is a shoebox. Whatever system
you use, this is the time when most of us are getting
ready to do taxes. Receipts . . . 1099s . . . W2’s . . .
etc . . . etc.
As you prepare, you may think this year you should
do something different. Would you like increased
returns from low-income assets? To save income or
capital gains taxes? Added tax-free income? To create
a personal legacy and give more to heirs?
This is the perfect time to consider legacy and
planned gifts to the Bay Area Rescue Mission that may
help achieve your financial goals. Send today for a no
obligation brochure, Creating Your Personal Legacy.
This timely piece will help you learn how the benefits
of planned giving can work for
you. To get your brochure
call: 510-215-4567 or email
Legacy@BayAreaRescue.org.
Here is my best gift of:
m $17.90 to provide 10 meals and other assistance
m $26.85 to provide 15 meals and other assistance
m $53.70 to provide 30 meals and other assistance
m $________ to provide as many meals and as much care as possible.
m Please include me in the free email newsletter.
Bay Area Rescue Mission
P.O. Box 1112
Richmond, CA 94802-0112
Please mail this completed form, and return it with your Easter donation, or you may
donate online at www.BayAreaRescue.org. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
You will receive a receipt.