We’re keeping busy at Crossroads Mission!

I haven’t blogged for several months and it is just plain procrastination.  Of course, having so many activities during our 50^th year celebration has had a great deal to do with it also.  We are focused on our capital campaign to raise funds for the new family shelter.  Having fund raisers in honor of our 50^th birthday has kept staff and volunteers very busy.  The family shelter is such a necessity.  For several years we have taken families in at the shelter who were requesting emergency shelter and just made do with what we have.  We have been over capacity for years.  Families are housed in one room and sleep on the floor.  While the shelter is crowded, we are proud to offer services that help people return to “normal” living.

Three department directors and I attended the 96^th annual Association of Gospel Rescue Mission’s conference this past week.  Each year it is held in a major city and this year’s hosting mission was the Denver Rescue Mission in Denver, Colorado.  These conferences are structured to be informative, educational, and spiritually refreshing.  The speakers and teachers are solely selected because of their expertise in the topic, heart for mission work, and professional qualifications.  This year’s conference was exceptional.  I hesitated to attend because of the economy but it was well worth the sacrifice.  The information and knowledge that we gained will be shared with the Board of Directors, staff members, and volunteers.  I admit that prior to the conference; I was suffering from burn out.  I am amazed at how God has so wonderfully designed our bodies, that we can be rejuvenated by rest.  The conference was jammed pack with sessions during the day and late into the night but I am home—rested and ready to implement many new ideas.  Thank you, God, for the opportunity to learn, get rested, and feel spiritually renewed!