Record Numbers being served!

The record number of men and women reaching the doors of one of our facilities of service, continue to increase. Monday evening, we set a new 61 year record of men and women staying overnight at 232. Last night (Tuesday evening) we broke that record again for a total overnight stay of 239. Our Food Service meal count remains at just over 750 meals each day.

This is wild when you consider that just six years ago the average overnight stay for men and women was 62 and the average daily meal count was 125.

We thank God for the supporting and generous communities of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan toward the least, last and lost. Your support is demonstrated in giving your time to volunteer, the donations of food, clothing and furniture, your prayers for those in need and of course your monetary support.

So - if you or your family, your place of business or church, your organization or club is one of the many stepping up to help out this winter - THANK YOU. Your love and outstanding care for those in need is both greatly appreciated and accepted.

Seriously - because we operate 100% through private donations, corporate, church and foundation support, we couldn't do it without you.

Can I encourage you to stop by for a tour some time? It would be great to see you.

Dan

It's Time for Rescue

We will be presenting the Rescue Curriculum at New Life Church of God in Christ at 1215 Oakwood. New Life is near the Oakwood and Detroit intersection.

Here's the schedule:
February 21st. - 23rd.
Thursday 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Friday 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Rescue Class is being offered free of charge and open to anyone who desires a greater level of success in working with others through rescue. This three day intensive includes course instruction, a rescue assessment, material handouts and an opportunity to become a Rescue Intern upon completing the course.

To register or if you have any questions, email me at danrogers@cherrystreetmission.org or call my assistant Maren Kurtz at 419-242-5141. Registration is required to attend the class.

Hope to see you there,

Dan

Graves without bodies

Arlington National Cemetery looking out over the Potomac and Washington DC







I was honored recently to spend a few days in our nations capitol. While I've been there many times, I've never had a chance to visit Arlington Cemetery - this time I got my wish. There were a few things I wanted to see for sure;

• Tomb of the Unknowns and the changing of the guard
• President Kennedy's burial place, and
• Robert E. Lees estate

Definitely the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns is worth the trip all by itself - the obvious dedication of the 'Old Guard' along with the tradition of military precision leaves you with a sense of pride and honor.

Arlington is a quiet place as you can imagine. The white grave markers carefully placed in straight diagonal rows and the rolling hills along with the beautiful sunny day, really made my day.

Theres a large section of grave markers at Arlington, that are closely placed next to each other - noticeably too close for anyone to have been buried there. Curious, I looked around for an explanation and found a marker which stated these were the graves of men and women who died in combat but their bodies had never been recovered. You may remember big band legend Glen Miller whose plane went down during WWII - his grave marker is in this section.

Do you know what this section of the cemetery reminded me of?

The impoverished, incarcerated, homeless and addicted brothers and sisters of our communities - our neighbors.

They're very much like this section of graves without bodies. These men and women have experienced death. Death of hope, joy, a meaningful life - death of family or future. Now they are so forgotten and faceless, we seem to already have placed a marker in the ground and said to each other, and of them; 'you're dead'.

It doesn't have to be this way - there's still time and if there's time, there's hope. When you get involved in the systemic issues of the life a person, bring about real solution and offer your support in their recovery - you remove a marker from the ground of our community. You say by your actions and your behavior; 'The body has been found, they're not dead'.

To be involved, or to learn how you can be involved - contact us. We'll train you, support you and help you realize the joy of life transformation.

Dan