http://www.rescuemissioncn.org/Home.aspx

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6: 9-10

Sometimes I plant my face in my pillow at night thinking “I could sleep for a week.” Only to have by eyes open the next morning just as early as they did the day before. Weariness can take its toll on our souls, I wish I could give you those magic remedies that would take away weariness, get more sleep, eat better, think happy thoughts …. But I still hit the pillow with the same resolve “Sleep for a week!”

I do take comfort in knowing “I did the best, to do the best I could”. I don’t always get it right, but I tried too. Taking the opportunity to do good is “Doing the best to do the best you can”. It’s just a moment, it might just be a smile, a “Hi” or it might be some hard work, all depends on your ability to see an opportunity.

The first time I met Jim Palmer, the president of Orange County Rescue Mission was on email. His signature quotes Thomas Edison "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work". Don’t miss an opportunity to do good because it looks like work.

Onsite.
The facility is looking bigger as Rowdy Williamson, Keith Fisher and Jon King came on-site with back hoes, chainsaws and dump trucks and removed the vegetation around the property… Looks great, wonderful job guys.

Opportunity
It all started with the “Twelve Days of Christmas” That is a quote from Bill Riemer. Instead of doing a single Christmas event, there is a list of events happening at the shelter through Christmas Day. The outpouring from the community has been remarkable. There are a few needs …

Contact Steffanie @ steffanie.jarrell@rescuemission.org

From Steffanie:

First and foremost, we have the Toys for Tots, Toys “R” Us event on Monday – it is early – 4am – but our bus has fallen through – if anyone has a connection with a bus we desperately need it – we have 32 people going! We actually have a driver, we just need the vehicle (unless they feel uncomfortable with that and are willing to provide their own). At the last resort we need volunteers to drive kids and a few parents… Please Email me if you can help

Secondly, The only opportunities for volunteer ( 6 – 10 at most) is to help us set up our Family Christmas event 12/23 6pm to 8pm at CNRM, also if people who would like to perform that night. We are also looking for desserts as well as soft drinks – and then to serve refreshments – so lots of people can drop off desserts etc… but we don’t have a lot of space, so only a few will be needed to help serve (and again if a few others want to do a skit or sing a song or read a story/poem I am open to that as well).

Lastly, I can also use a few volunteers to come and help me organize the toys – but that is going to be the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd – You can come any of those days. We also need donations of large gift bags that we can put some of the toys in and all of the items for the adults. If you want to donate wrapping paper and come by and wrap gifts that would be great!(we will not have most of our gifts till the 20th or 21st) Blankets are greatly needed – these are things we can give to the schools and outside people as well! Please contact Steffanie by email.

There is more!
Mark Chow has been an amazing resource for us and other non-profits with his “A Foundation for Kids”. If you are looking for a way to help out this Holiday season, please contact Mark.: 909-923-0415 mvchow12455@hotmail.com

Dear Friend of AFFK -

Please consider helping us for Christmas by volunteering some time picking and packing gifts at our Donation Center in Ontario for a few hours!

We are trying to process about gifts for 15k - 20k children by Dec. 24th!

Dec. (Today) Dec 17th: 9 am - 7 pm

Dec. 19th: 9 am - 5 pm

Dec. 20th - 21st - 9 am - 7 pm


A Foundation for Kids
2021 South Archibald Avenue (60 fwy & Archibald Avenue)
Ontario, CA 91761 909-923-0415 mvchow12455@hotmail.com

Gifts for Kids - we can use more gifts for kids; sports balls, skate boards, games, dolls, EVERY DONATION WILL COUNT, etc.
Thank you & God Bless! ...Mark Chow.


Make this holiday special by helping someone in need!

“He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.”

Proverbs 28:27

It’s a game we have all played with our children when they were little; a game of “Hide and Seek”. We pretend that they are invisible when they cover their own eyes. We exclaim “Where did Jimmy go?” as the little one sits with his eyes covered, giggling, thinking that no one can see them. Child psychologists will tell you that a small child sees things from their own point of view and have difficulty thinking about other people’s experiences.

It’s been said more than once “I don’t want to know”. Knowledge would require me to do something rather than just sit in my own ignorance. Sometimes I have not matured any farther than my own childhood when I choose to sit with my eyes shut and ignore the problem.

God calls us to maturity, and maturity is defined as thinking beyond ourselves. So with poverty we are asked to act and there is a reward for those who do. We think that it would be a physical reward, but actually it is maturity that we will discover and having maturity we will lack for nothing.

Bookmark it:
The website has been redone and soon you will be able to see more ways to serve at Corona Norco Rescue Mission. http://www.rescuemissioncn.org/Home.aspx

On Site:
Thanks to Rowdy for setting up Regan Paving to slurry the back alley so we could place storage containers.
Lucas Oil donated two Seatainers that were placed on-site for storage . Thanks, Tom & Brian for your generous donation.

Thanksgiving Day Event:
The Thanksgiving event was a big hit. Thanks to everyone who dedicated time during your holiday to make it happen. We had teamed with Mark Chow from “A Foundation for Kids” to put together a great day for those less fortunate, to give them something to be joyous about on Thanksgiving Day. You made an impact, you thought beyond yourself to bring a gift of celebration to others. We were overwhelmed with the response of volunteers … Thanks

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

I Peter 2:9-10”

It’s a very simple need that exists within all of us; it’s the need to belong to something. I have a daughter who is disabled, so that propels my wife and I into advocating for the disabled many times. I have a simple statement that seems to open up the eyes of many people who ask questions about the handicapped: “They just want to be like you.” They want to be included and considered as an important part of our society. They want to belong.

The Holy Spirit does the same thing through Peter in the above verse; He makes us special because we belong to him, not disabled from our sin, but Holy from His Mercy; not just “A people”, but a “People of God”. We belong to God.

This Thanksgiving Day many will take time to include serving the homeless and needy in the Thanksgiving Day event planned at the shelter. You might be someone that has invited a family to join you in your home. Remember, many do not choose homelessness in the same way many don’t choose to have a disability. They just want to be like you.

Bookmark it: The website has been redone and soon you will be able to see more ways to serve at Corona Norco Rescue Mission. http://www.rescuemissioncn.org/Home.aspx

Thanks to everyone who helped with the sandblasting project. It was finished on time.

Thanksgiving Day Event:
The response has been amazing and it sounds like it will be an amazing event. We received a great response of volunteers; if you have any questions direct them to Volunteers@rescuemission.org

We have teamed with Mark Chow from “A Foundation for Kids” to put together a great day for those less fortunate, to give them something to be joyous about on Thanksgiving Day. Over 300 families in the community were invited, so it sounds like it will be great fun. Thanks Mark!

9:00am – 12:00
Set up time


12:00 – 3:00pm
Game booths,
Prize booth
Snack bar - popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, snack bars, beverages
Face painting
Arts & crafts
Family gift basket distribution (gift bag for every family)
Meal Box Distribution
Inflatable’s

3pm – 4pm
Breakdown/Cleanup.

Contact: Christina Wollin at Volunteers@rescuemission.org and put CNRM Thanksgiving Volunteer in the subject line.

The subject line is important, so that your email will be seen in a timely manner! Thanks for your heart to help the less fortunate in Corona!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” Colossians 3:23-24

As I mentioned last week you are going to be hearing about more opportunities and less philosophy, so here goes…

Bookmark it:
The website has been redone and soon you will be able to see more ways to serve at Corona Norco Rescue Mission. http://www.rescuemissioncn.org/Home.aspx

Current:
Sandblasting the exterior is continuing, Dave should be finished the first half of Friday. Dave has been relentless with his crew. Jon King and Edwin Hernandez have been a great help. If you can make it to help cleanup, contact Dave Armas Cell # (909)367-5800.

This Friday, November 19th. 10am @ CNRM.
Dave and his crew have worked hard all week sandblasting the facility and now we need to clean up the mess in preparation for Thanksgiving Day.

Lead Person: Jon King broncos29x@yahoo.com (714)381-0499

The Need: 10 people onsite.

Expertise: Labor, cleaning up debris, cleaning pavement areas.

Tools: Push brooms and shovels are optional. We will have some on-site, but if you are fond of using your own, you can bring them.

Personal Safety Equipment: Gloves, eye protection, dust masks. closed toe shoes (no open toed shoes on site)

Thanksgiving Day Event:

Here is a chance to do something good in Corona this year! There will be a Thanksgiving Day event at the Corona Norco Rescue Mission on Thanksgiving Day! Need to get out of the house for a few hours with the kids? Looking for something good to do on Thanksgiving? Need to burn off some of those Turkey Day calories? Here is a chance for you to make a difference.

We have teamed with Mark Chow from “A Foundation for Kids” to put together a great day for those less fortunate, to give them something to be joyous about on Thanksgiving Day.

9:00am – 12:00

Set up time (6 volunteers)

12:00 – 3:00pm

Game booths – (5 volunteers)

Prize booth – (2 volunteers)

Snack bar - popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, snack bars, beverages – (3 volunteers)

Face painting – (2 volunteers)

Arts & crafts – (2 volunteers)

Family gift basket distribution – (4 volunteers) (gift bag for every family)

Meal Box Distribution – (4 volunteers)

Inflatable’s – (2 volunteers)

Security – (4 volunteers) will be issued a SECURITY vest and radio

3pm – 4pm

Breakdown/Cleanup – (6 volunteers)

There are over 600 people on this list. You can serve all day or part of the day. If 120 people can give 2 hours, then everyone can serve and enjoy the holiday with their family. Start a tradition of service with your family.

Contact:
Christina Wollin at Volunteers@rescuemission.org and put CNRM Thanksgiving Volunteer in the subject line.


The subject line is important, so that your email will be seen in a timely manner! Thanks for your heart to help the less fortunate in Corona!



It is going to be great to see everyone come together and make this happen!

Doug Husen asked some of us to write letters for his son Keanu's passage ceremony. I thought it might deserve repeating, so here it is .. enjoy ..

Dear Keanu,


When we as a society try to understand at what point a boy becomes a man. I would put forth that a man is a man from birth; a boy is just an age. Uninterrupted by Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection (see www.darwinawards.com) every boy will become a man by simply reaching the age of majority, saying that at some time before the age of 30 he has not accidently removed himself from the gene pool, he will probably be considered a man. Unfortunately most of these individuals have reproduced before our societies DNA has been cleansed , if for no other purpose than to provide entertainment to future generations with films such as “Jack Ass 15”.

What really becomes the sign of a man is our ability to use the frontal lobe of the brain; I like to call it our “Man Brain”. It doesn’t mean that you are a “Big Brain”, smarter than everyone else, it means you have chosen to utilize the part of your brain that God gave us making us different than the animals.

“The frontal lobe is an area in the brain of humans, located at the front of each cerebral hemisphere and positioned anterior to (in front of) the parietal lobes and above and anterior to the temporal lobes (i.e. directly behind the forehead or "temple"). It is separated from the parietal lobe by the post-central gyrus primary motor cortex, which controls voluntary movements of specific body parts associated with the precentral gyrus posteriorly, inferiorly by lateral sulcus [slyvian] which separates it from the temporal lobe, superiorly by the superior margin of the hemisphere and anteriorly by the frontal pole.


The frontal lobe contains most of the dopamine-sensitive neurons in the cerebral cortex. The dopamine system is associated with reward, attention, long-term memory, planning, and drive. Dopamine tends to limit and select sensory information arriving from the thalamus to the fore-brain. A report from the National Institute of Mental Health says a gene variant that reduces dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex is related to poorer performance and inefficient functioning of that brain region during working memory tasks, and to slightly increased risk for schizophrenia."




The schizophrenia episodes that most males experience are followed by a person of authority saying “What were you thinking?”. This is generally spoken following a near death experience. The truth is you weren’t thinking, your Man Brain malfunctioned. That is generally a normal part of development, but shouldn’t be considered a point of achievement, rather a minor setback in development. If your Man Brain was functioning properly you would have kept your mouth shut, taken your foot off the gas pedal or said “I don’t think this is a good idea”.

To put it simpler, it’s your frontal lobe that makes you different than a simple ape. The frontal lobe is the part of our brain that works as a “Filter”. Let’s say that you are hanging with some friends, when one of them decides to hit on your girlfriend. The fact is that this idiot has the inability to see that you are actually superior to him in every way, except physically, he proceeds to encroach on your man territory. The fact that he outweighs you with 50lbs of muscle and bench presses 350lbs on a bad day should be enough to deter you from showing him you Wii karate moves. It is your highly developed frontal lobe (Man Brain) that keeps you from telling that ape what you really think of him. Notice I use the term “Ape” a clear sign of an underdeveloped Man Brain. Don’t confuse the ape reference to later years of your life when you develop back hair that resembles “The Great Silver-Backed Ape”. This should be recognized as a sign of prestige admired by all females of the species, this is why it is reserved for “Chronologically gifted males”.

It is also the Man Brain that generally keeps us swinging from trees, throwing our poop, and answering the question “Does this dress make me look fat?” You will find in the years to come that the size of your Man Brain does matter “Use it or lose it”. The use of your Man Brain will serve you well in every avenue of your life. Be careful showing your “Man Brain” to your friends as to seem arrogant, even though the female of the species will be appreciative of your talents.

“For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1Corintians 3 9-11

It’s a big brown box on the corner of Harrison and Sheridan. We know it now as the Corona Norco Rescue Mission. I’ve heard it affectionately called the “Pig”. While walking through looking at plans, someone walked by and simply said “Have you thought of tearing it down?” I smiled and said “Yes, that’s been suggested”. Its past is a bit sketchy, we know by design it was possibly a packing house for fruit and a warehouse at various times. It was once owned by the Salvation Army as a detox center. Since 1986 it’s been functioning as an emergency shelter for the homeless.

In the months to come it will go to a new level, not just in looks, but in what it will offer. A holistic approach to homelessness providing food, shelter, medical, dental, vision, job training, peer counseling, child care, but most of all a foundation laid in Christ. I would love to tell you that we have all been sitting back on our laurels waiting for Santa to bring us a new building, but that hasn’t happened. In the months to come, you are probably going to hear more of the structural things that are happening rather that the spiritual or philosophical, but I think that is what I am here to do.

• Kirk Bennett is still working on the design plans. Kirk has done a great job of creating something from nothing. There were no plans for this building when we started. Structural Engineering is required for the exterior façade. Title 24 engineering for the lighting changes and engineering for the changes in plumbing. This should be done in the next few weeks and presented to the city for permits. Lead and asbestos samples were taken and came back negative. The Decorating Team is going over paint and tile specifications.

• The modular was moved from the site thanks to Rowdy Williamson, Dave Armas and their crew. This will give us an accessible area for the children’s play area. With the reorganization of space on the interior, we have several areas that we can use for learning centers. McDonalds Restaurant has donated a large self-contained playground structure to place in the outside area.

• Baxter Miller Landscaping has given us plans to submit to the City for landscaping. This includes sprinkler layouts, plant choices and hardscape features.

• Rowdy also was instrumental in installing a steam table in the serving window of God’s Kitchen. Larry Berryman stepped up and did the electrical for the installation. Both were rewarded with a kiss from Bettie.

• Before construction starts we will remove the palm trees and set the foundation for the façade. You will be hearing more about that in the weeks to come.

You should be hearing some random “Shout-outs” for certain labor needs in the weeks to come. I will also keep you posted on holiday events that will involve the mission.

Knowing “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” We continue to pray and look for guidance on the things we do, knowing that the building is secondary compared to what God will do in the lives of those that touch it.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”

Titus 2:11-13

The grass is neatly cut and manicured along the parkway, trees line the walkway. As you approach you notice a tent with someone sleeping on the ground outside. The closer you get you notice people just standing around holding cardboard signs saying “Will work for food” or “God Bless you”. There are children just sitting, not playing, not listening to IPods, just sitting with their parents.

The closer you walk; you begin to notice the car that apparently hasn’t run for a while is filled with someone’s belongings. The shopping cart holding blankets and recyclables is next to a shabbily dressed man carrying one of the cardboard signs. He looks directly at you, but you don’t make eye contact. Now you recognize that you have wandered into a homeless encampment, but that was not where you were headed, you were going to church.

This was the first thing you saw last Sunday morning as you walked toward the main Sanctuary at Crossroads. Once people passed our “Encampment” they were exposed to other areas of the world in which poverty exists. There were shanties erected, live animals, and outdoor cooking with food to sample. You could witness the physical relief in many people as they began to understand that we were only part of the display and that the church grounds had not been taken over by the homeless.

Patrice Maturkanich did a great job organizing our encampment, from the car and tent, to the actors playing the part of the homeless. Everyone did a great job. The most interesting thing was the response of many before they realized that these “Homeless” were members of our church. No one was rude, many people actually tried to give money; some actually insisted that we take their donation.

For many we noticed that we had intruded into their life, an unexpected interruption. We watched as one woman, kids in tow, stopped and walked around our display, toward the offices and down the stairs to avoid contact.

I would not put forth that anyone is indifferent or adverse toward the homeless; for the most part we just don’t know how to effectively help a stranger without jeopardizing our own well-being. This is a natural response for anyone.

How do we overcome these feelings? By increasing awareness of the problem, training on how to resolve the problem and resources to overcome the problem. The fix doesn’t come from one person becoming involved; it comes from all of us doing what each has the ability to accomplish.

From a Spiritual standpoint it looks like this, though each of these attributes applies to each of us, not just the homeless.

Awareness: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men”.

Training: ”Instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age”

  Resource: ”Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”

From a physical standpoint we are becoming more aware of the homeless problem that exists in our community. We are putting things in motion to train those interested in helping and we are organizing resources to make sure that the needs are being met. So we are on the right track.

Photo's by Dianna Lopez. MakeUp: Joanne Stevens and Malory Giboney

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

Today I am going to make my blog a social experiment using you. We are surrounded by visual stimulants that feed our brains a continual influx of information. We each believe that the things we see with our eyes are true. Today I would like you to take one minute, forty two seconds and watch “The Monkey Business Solution” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGQmdoK_ZfY

There are no tricks or spyware downloaded to your computer, just take a moment now and watch the video. If you have seen this type of video before, watch it again, this one has a new twist. Do it now, before you continue with the blog.

In the Annual Homeless Assessment Report of 2009, Housing and Urban Development reported to Congress that there was an estimated 643,000 homeless in America. http://www.huduser.org/publications/pdf/5thHomelessAssessmentReport.pdf

“Nearly 1.56 million people used an emergency shelter or a transitional housing program during the 12-month period (October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009). Two thirds were homeless as individuals, and one-third were homeless as members of families.”

So when we drive down the street, what do we see? If you watched the Monkey Business Solution, can we trust what we saw? I think the video proves that we do have selective vision. When we are looking for that “New Car” we see them everywhere. A pregnant woman sees pregnant women everywhere she goes. The homeless that we are looking for are not those who generally walk the streets with shopping carts or stand in underpasses looking for handouts.

It’s those that are living in their cars or camping as a means of shelter. It’s those that are looking to get off of the streets, it’s those who are seeking shelter for their family; an opportunity to re-enter society and be self-sufficient. Sometimes it’s the obvious things that catch our attention and we make judgments on the obvious.
A better answer would be that we “Call to Him” and ask Him to reveal to us what the need is and our personal ability to help solve the problem of homelessness.

This Sunday Chuck will be speaking on the “The Darkness of Poverty”. We will also have a display in the Candlewalk, stop by and say “Hi”.

“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” I Thessalonians 5:12

It’s Clergy Appreciation Month. To be honest I am somewhat offended that we have to have a “Hallmark Day” in order appreciate those whom we work with preaching the Gospel; we need to be appreciating them every day.
There was a point in my own life that I was making that career decision. I was actually looking at several schools and had applied to a Bible College to go into ministry full-time. Because of several “God Circumstances” and a lot of prayer, I followed the path of Paramedic/Firefighter. Having made that decision, I vowed to be the best volunteer in service to our Lord. I never regretted that decision and God has truly blessed me in being what I call a “DuVoc”, Dual Vocation. I am a firefighter by trade and a full-time Christian by passion.

I am in one of those professions that many in the community consider as a “Hero”. “Doc” is one of our firefighters, who as a black man stands six foot three and a biscuit short of 260 lbs. He can be pretty ominous. When referred to as a “Hero”, Doc will reply back “A Hero ain’t nothin but a samich (sandwich)”. I tend to agree with Doc.

If I have to look for “Hero’s”, I look to those who can save the soul, not just the body. For every time I have interrupted Death, Death still looms in the future, waiting for age, disease or trauma to be given an opportunity again. Saving a soul is eternal.

I do not need someone to designate a month or a day for me to recognize the “Hero’s” in my life. I see them every day seeking to distribute the Gospel to those who are weary and just short of Death, seeking to bring the soul back to life. They take a pulpit, sing a praise, visit the sick, tend to the needy, teach a child, feed the poor, solder pipes, paint walls, drive nails … the list is endless, all in the name of Christ..

What defines a “Hero” to me?

“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:21-22

Go now and be a “Hero” in someone’s life.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

This is one of the toughest verses in the Bible for me. I want the “Peace that surpasses all understanding”, I just don’t want to wait for it. I tend to work in 911 times, the phone rings, the call comes, I grab my stuff and head for the door. All of those sermons of reaching the poor, the lost and the needy? Okay, let’s go! “This is broke? This needs repair? Let’s get some guys and fix it”. So you can imagine my angst as we wait on the Lord to give us the go ahead with the CNRM project. I’ve learned over the years to pray more than I push when it comes to doing things for the Lord. As we try to orchestrate this project, we find ourselves working against the upcoming Holidays. We are continuing to keep our construction dates in prayer. Thanks for your patience.

The following is coming from Patrice Maturkanich.. If you can help, Please contact her. patricem@crossroadschurch.com

Global Outreach Day, Sunday October 24, will showcase the mission work of Crossroads Church throughout the world in a realistic scenario of living conditions in various countries, as well as in the U.S.

The Corona-Norco Rescue Mission is our local mission field outreach. We'd like to demonstrate the living conditions of those who have lost their homes. We are looking for volunteers with a heart for these people to help us make this demonstration an effective success. The scenario will look like this:

*an old car parked on the Candle Walk patio, filled with clothing, quilts, laundry basket, misc. bags of "stuff", etc.
*adults sitting in or near the car, wearing well-worn clothing, unwashed skin (we have makeup for that), uncombed hair. Some holding cardboard signs with words such as "will work for food", etc.
*children similarly dressed, playing near car or quietly resting in a melancholy fashion near "mother"
*possibly a tired, faithful dog lying next to these people
*EZ-up shade covering with a table holding rescue mission flyers, trifolds, business cards, sign-up sheet for more info, etc. EZ-up will be covered all over with quilt-like scraps of old, mismatched material roughly sewn together.

If you feel called to serve in this ministry outreach day, we would appreciate your participation so much! We welcome 'donation loans' for any of the materials we will need, and of course we welcome anyone who would like to participate as a homeless family member.

Bill Reimer, the Chief Program Officer for the Rescue Mission efforts in the Inland Empire, will be present to answer questions all morning, as well as Todd Holtkamp, the Project Manager for the Corona-Norco Rescue Mission refurbishing.

Please respond with your interest to Patrice, admin volunteer for CNRM.

patriceM@CrossroadsChurch.com

On a personal note: Heather is home and continues to recover. thanks for all of your prayers and support.

It would probably be a lot easier for me if God just sent me a note and said “Hey Todd, you need to work on this in your life”. Maybe He has and I was too busy to see it, or maybe it got lost in my other emails. Being a paramedic for 24 years has not helped me become anymore compassionate toward the homeless; in fact it has allowed me to build defense mechanisms. For many homeless, they use the emergency medical system to avoid the weather and get a shower and comfortable bed for a few days. Show any amount of compassion and they will be sitting in the Fire Station watching TV while you are out on a call, it’s happened to us! The guys at Station One had befriended a local homeless man only to come back from a call and found him sleeping in one of the chairs at the fire station.

My family and I were eating lunch at the mall when a woman approached our table with a child on her hip and another in tow. She was carrying a small sign that explained her plight and a request for money. I asked her if she had checked with the local shelter and social services, she needed to get off the streets. She shook her head and scurried away. I was irritated as I watched her move through the food court collecting money. I felt she was using her children as props to collect money.

The next day I was in the parking lot of Home Depot and another woman approached me, child on her hip, a small sign explaining her need and asking for money. I wanted information from this woman, and felt I had something that I needed to learn. “Do you have an I.D?” I asked. She replied in a heavy accented voice “No, immigration has it, no I.D.” With that reply I realized that I am not equipped to show compassion at this point. I have a lot to learn about what we can do in our community.

I was icing my shoulder, thumbing through You Tube, when I stumbled upon http://www.youtube.com/user/invisiblepeopletv . Mark Horvath makes a cross country documentary interviewing the homeless and their plight. I watched a segment of a woman with 5 children and the first thing that came to my mind was “What were you thinking when you had 5 children”? I continued to thumb through the numerous videos always looking for a “Cause” to their homelessness. Drugs, alcohol, abuse, failed marriages, unemployment all the reasons are there, so I am still questioning God “What do you want me to learn?”

Compassion not Judgment
That night I made my way to men’s group and I saw myself in the lesson.

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9-14.



I got it God, I am the Pharisee, and I was surprised by that revelation. For me it was that I had made the “Right Choices” in life. It’s amazing how “Right Choices” sounds like Righteousness. “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable”. I was looking at others who had made the wrong choices and judged them as less. When I look to Jesus to study compassion, He didn’t hand out $20 bills to show compassion, He sacrificed His life for mine. When the world expected riches of a worldly kingdom, He gave them a Heavenly Kingdom. He gave us Love and direction, dignity not welfare. He adopted us as children of the most High God and most of all He accepted us as we were sinners and brought us to understand His Grace. We became “Family”.

I am still on that journey to understand what it means to be compassionate, I am sure I still have a lot to learn.

The latest on the Corona Norco Rescue Mission.

Thanks for all of the response and questions concerning the progress of the Harrison Ave facility. The meetings with the city have been very productive. We are about to finalize drawings, file for permits and then we are looking at about 2 weeks to start construction. Funding is all lining up. I will keep you posted on our progress. Please continue to keep the project in prayer.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58

I took a much needed vacation last week with the family; it was a nice break, after the Pancake Breakfast. I remember before we left that I just felt tired. I prayed countless times to the Lord saying “I am just tired!”. Because of the surgery on my shoulder I wasn’t sleeping well. I was only getting 4-5 hours of sleep per night. I am also not much of one to just “Sit”. I am used to being active and that seemed to be wearing on me also.

We have all become “weary” from the day to day grind of life. There are times that we all look to the Heavens and cry out “I’m tired of this Lord! Why am I doing this?. For me the answer always comes back that I am a servant of the Most High God. I understand His Grace and Love for me and that keeps me going. God does honor my prayers, eventually I do find rest. But, when we give up doing good because of our fatigue, we short change God’s ability to bless our lives.

I was sitting at breakfast with Bill Riemer and we were discussing the time schedules for the remodel on the Harrison facility. I just simply said “If this works, it will be a God thing, not a Todd thing.”. Sometimes we are so busy trying to accomplish things (And I am one of the worst offenders) that we don’t allow God’s power to come through. We work ourselves to exhaustion and then look to the Heavens asking “Why aren’t you helping Lord?. For me the answer is generally I have been standing in the way of God’s working. I am reminded of the 23rd Psalm

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.”

Did you catch that? “He makes me lies down in green pastures …” Like a little child, who is cranky and needs a nap. God makes us rest, and in doing so restores our souls.

Don’t neglect God’s desire to maintain our souls to good works.



Progress report.

In the past few weeks we have been meeting with the city discussing various issues. Most of the biggest issues have been resolved and everyone is excited about the project. Kirk is working on finalizing the drawings and requesting permits. All of the funding needs are coming along. As soon as we get a few more things confirmed you will hear me publishing construction dates. I’ll keep you posted. Please continue to pray.

“Open to me the gates of righteousness;

I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the LORD.

This is the gate of the LORD;

The righteous will enter through it.

I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me,

And You have become my salvation.

The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief corner stone.” Psalm 118:19-22.

The verse on Psalms is a messianic prophecy that is repeated by Jesus in Mark the 12th chapter, but can you see the application to the Corona shelter? We are opening the gates of righteousness to those who have been lost in our society. The little brown building nestled in that commercial area, rejected by some, neglected by others, will become the corner stone of salvation for many through Jesus Christ. It will be there that many will regain their dignity and freedom from sin and affliction, stepping back into society as a whole person.

Some have asked if we abandoned the vision of building a new facility from the ground up, the answer is a resounding “No”! We knew that serving the homeless in Corona would start with what we already have, which is the shelter on Harrison Street. Vision and prayer is already being lifted up to expand our service, the Harrison St. Mission is just the gate opening to greater things.

The Pancake Breakfast was an amazing event! We had 109 people in attendance. Everyone was so excited about the vision and the work to be accomplished at the Harrison St. Mission. Thanks to my wife Jolene, Patrice Maturkanich, and Beth Hassman for helping to organize the event. Doug Husen, Kirk Lansea and the Men of Crossroads for cooking breakfast. Cameron Thomas for making sure we all had coffee.

Bettie Shultz fell ill during the event and is doing better, she should be home now. She is thankful for all of the prayers.

What’s Next? Our team continues to work on design and funding. The next 30 days is crucial, as we set about finalizing plans and putting them in motion. We continue to pray that these are God’s plans and that we are doing His will. We will keep you posted on our progress.

It’s always interesting on what adventure God take us on when we surrender to Him. We did the last of the scheduled tours of the Village of Hope in Tustin last Saturday. We had a total of about 70 people make the trek to Orange County to be inspired by what God is doing there and it was a chance to see what is possible in Corona


The vision continues: This Saturday, at the pancake breakfast, we will talk about the changes that will take place for the existing facility in the next few months. Bill Reimer will talk of the service the mission will begin to provide. Whatever your occupation or talent, this is the meeting you want to attend if you plan to be involved. There is still room at the table for you!

I look forward to seeing you this Saturday August 7th 8am.
420 Harrison, Corona. The corner of Harrison and Sheridan (God’s Kitchen)



Prayer Requests

• That all lives are changed that come into contact with the Mission.

• For the overall purpose of the project and safety for all those involved in the project.

• We need a Structural Engineer.

• We need Roofing Contractors.

• Construction dates.

Information:

Village of Hope/Orange County Rescue Mission http://www.rescuemission.org/

Corona Norco Rescue Mission http://www.rescuemissionCN.org

Join Corona Norco Rescue Mission on Facebook.

We will be truly blessed this Christmas with six grandchildren under the age of five years old. We look forward to the excitement, as cousins get together and view all the gifts under the tree for each of them to unwrap. I imagine wrapping paper flying through the air, screams of joy and parents prompting the appropriate “Say, Thank-you”. Toy trucks and princess dolls will be the topic of discussion throughout the day.

I see the same excitement in the eyes of those who have toured the Village of Hope in Tustin and then reviewed plans for the work at the Corona Norco Rescue Mission. It’s going to be a lot of work, but so is Christmas. Both celebrate the Birth of our Savior and rejoice in His redemption of the lost. People are talking about all the gifts they can bring to the project and how it will bring joy to the hearts of all of those involved.
Unlike Christmas that is over in a day and to quote my granddaughter who at the end of last Christmas showed a pouty face and said “Now we have to wait a whole year till Santa comes again!” Corona Norco Rescue Mission will continue to bring a gift of joy to the community throughout the year.

Come join the celebration. This Saturday will be the last scheduled tour of the Village of Hope in Tustin. The following Saturday, August 7th ,will be the Pancake Breakfast at the Corona Norco Rescue Mission. See you there.

Prayer Requests

• That all lives are changed that come into contact with the Mission.

• For the overall purpose of the project and safety for all those involved in the project.

• We need a Structural Engineer.

• We need Roofing Contractors.

• Construction dates.

Coming Events

• Tours of the Village Of Hope in Tustin. July 31 at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Please RSVP to alexis.broske@rescuemission.org . A map and information are available at: http://www.rescuemission.org/about/location/location.htm

• Pancake Breakfast and tour of the Corona Norco Rescue Mission. August 7th at 8 a.m. This is an opportunity to be able to walk through the current facility and discuss the construction changes that will be made in the months to come. If you would like to know what you might be able to do, come and sit with us, enjoy breakfast and talk about what God will do in the Corona area. Please RSVP to Todd@crossroadschurch.com

Information:

Village of Hope/Orange County Rescue Mission http://www.rescuemission.org/

Corona Norco Rescue Mission http://www.rescuemissionCN.org

Join Corona Norco Rescue Mission on Facebook.

Many of you have asked about the upcoming changes to the existing Corona Norco Rescue Mission. Please plan to attend the Pancake Breakfast August 7th at the Corona Norco Rescue Mission (God’s Kitchen). This will be an opportunity to review the plans, connect with other workers and contractors and talk “vision” for this facility. See “Coming Events”.

Looking at my notes would tell me that I started on the shelter project about the beginning of April. Now that July is upon us, it has just been a blur of meetings and introductions to different people. I have enjoyed the process greatly. Many times we wonder what kind of commitments we will experience when we say “Yes” to God’s call!

A few years ago I was considering another one of those church projects that was going to take some time to accomplish. I was trying to follow my own advice to other guys by doing my homework first, in other words to ask my wife for her opinion before I said “Yes”. I had all of my pros and cons rehearsed about how this would be a great project for the Lord, our church and our family. Her words of wisdom have always rung true with every project since then “God will always ask more of you than you prepared to give.” It is the difference between giving a gift and being a sacrifice.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” Romans12;1

The amazing things that you will see change in the months to come, will not just be the building at 420 Harrison, but the changes to each of us. As we go beyond giving and into sacrifice, we will all experience a worship that will be a sweet song to the Lord. There will be a bond that we did something good for someone else that we didn’t even know. We gave someone the opportunity to get a second chance at a productive life. Most of all, we will see a change in our relationship with each other and in our relationship with God.

Prayer Requests

• That all lives are changed that come into contact with the Mission.

• For the overall purpose of the project and safety for all those involved in the project.

• We need a Structural Engineer.

• We need Roofing Contractors.

• Construction dates.

Coming Events

• Tours of the Village Of Hope in Tustin. 10 & 11 a.m. July 24th & 31st. Please RSVP to alexis.broske@rescuemission.org . A map and information are available at: http://www.rescuemission.org/about/location/location.htm

• Pancake Breakfast and tour of the Corona Norco Rescue Mission. August 7th at 8 a.m. This is an opportunity to be able to walk through the current facility and discuss the construction changes that will be made in the months to come. If you would like to know what you might be able to do, come and sit with us, enjoy breakfast and talk about what God will do in the Corona area. Please RSVP to Todd@crossroadschurch.com

Information:

Village of Hope/Orange County Rescue Mission http://www.rescuemission.org/

Corona Norco Rescue Mission http://www.rescuemission.org/cnrmweb/

Join Corona Norco Rescue Mission on Facebook.

Scope of Construction for the Corona Norco Rescue Mission

Coming Events

• Tours of the Village Of Hope in Tustin. 10 & 11 a.m. July 10th, 24th & 31st. Please RSVP to alexis.broske@rescuemission.org . A map and information are available at: http://www.rescuemission.org/about/location/location.htm

• Pancake Breakfast and tour of the Corona Norco Rescue Mission. August 7th at 8 a.m. This is an opportunity to be able to walk through the Corona/Norco facility and discuss the construction changes that will be made in the months to come. If you would like to know what you might be able to do, come and sit with us, enjoy breakfast and talk about what God will do in the Corona area. Please RSVP to Todd@crossroadschurch.com

Corona/Norco Rescue Mission Construction

Wow it’s been an amazing response to participate. There are a lot of things happening, so I will try to make sure everyone is going the right direction.

We plan to start construction work in September, most of the work to be accomplished on Friday and Saturdays. Because the facility will be occupied during the remodel, we plan to close down the facility by sections, East Dorms and Bathrooms, West Dorms and Bathrooms, Dining room, Kitchen, Exterior.

We are looking to establish leaders and participants in each group listed below. If you are interested in leading or participating, contact me @ Todd@CrossroadsChurch.com.


Interior

• Tile layers: We will be tiling the floor surfaces throughout the structure. We will also tile the walls and showers in each of the bathrooms.

• Plumbers: Replace 3 existing Water Heaters with tankless water heaters. Remove bathroom fixtures and replace after the walls have been tiled. Install shower pans. Move urinals from West Bathrooms to East Bathrooms.

• Demo Team: Removes existing bathroom drywall and prep studs.

• Drywall Teams: Bathrooms will need to be dry walled with proper product for bathroom walls and showers. Prepped for tile. Drywall new office space.

• Painters: The facility will be painted inside and out. Airless sprayers will be used when feasible.

• Stainless Welder: We have some repair work that needs to be done in the kitchen area.

• Decorating Team: Coordinate paint colors, tile, wall decorations, window treatments and etc.

• Electrical: Replace all the existing fluorescent lighting.

• Construction: Add additional office space in the dining area.

• Cube builders: We will have a fair amount of things that need to be “Put Together”; 14 Office cubicles, 40 bunk beds, etc.

Exterior

• Landscape team: Landscaping including plants and sprinklers. Install an outdoor play area for children.

• Ornamental iron workers: We plan to place ornamental iron in the existing exterior hand rails to prevent children from falling through.

• Wrought Iron Fencing: We will be replacing the existing fence with 4’ wrought iron fence.

• Window installers: Remove existing windows and replace with pre-manufactured retro type windows.

• Stucco: Sandblast, repair stucco and install ornamental stucco molding.

• Construction: Build entry façade.

• Concrete: Footings for façade. Concrete walkways, concrete steps.



Donations

Our goal is to involve our neighbors in the Corona area. We would like to include those local businesses that are able to assist with materials as well as funding. Connecting our team to possible donors is appreciated. If you have knowledge of possible donors or donations please e-mail me Todd@crossroadschurch.com.

• All construction Materials

• Approximately 40 bunk beds: We are looking for a major donor to supply beds that are uniform and the mattresses.

• Bedding: Sheets, pillows, blankets and comforters

• Window coverings

• Commercial Restaurant equipment: God’s Kitchen is a commercial kitchen that is in need of a steam table and commercial toaster.

It’s almost invisible unless you know it’s there, a small brown building surrounded by shiny new industrial complexes. You can see the spots where the graffiti has been painted over. A six foot chain link fence surrounds the property, with the empty shackles that once held Constantine wire across the top. You can tell that in the past it was probably a fruit packing shed or warehouse. Concrete ramps crisscross the entries. The windows are covered with falling window blinds from the inside, security bars on the outside. Most of the screens are torn or missing. At first glance you would think that there was something valuable inside that needed to be protected.


Could this actually be the “Circle of Hope”? This building contains those whose lives have not been protected in earlier days. Whether the injury was self inflicted, inflicted by someone else or by circumstance, the injured dwell there. It is filled with individuals who have sought self protection through drug and alcohol abuse, only to be incarcerated in addiction. Mothers who have been abandoned by a spouse or family and are seeking refuge for their children, they come jobless, penniless and hopeless. The staff works diligently to provide hope and dignity, a warm meal, a smile and a place to sleep, but time has taken a toll.

How do you break the cycle of spiritual and physical poverty, of course it would be with the Gospel, but James says that we should do more.

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” James 2:15-17

The first step is to understand that not one of us has all the answers or the ability, but each of us can do something. Right now we are working to restore the building to one of dignity. In the process we are looking to make sure that no family sleeps on a one inch mat on the concrete floor. No one resides in a facility that is just a step up from being on the street. The Corona Norco Rescue Mission will make a difference in lives of all of us.

It sends chills up my spine when I think of a line in the movie “Chronicles of Narnia”. The residents of Narnia have been trapped under the curse of the White Witch, where it is always winter, but never Christmas. Then the whispers start “Aslan is on the move, Aslan is on the move” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ9t3Xs8Sgc .

In Corona “Aslan is on the move”. Join us in freeing those who are held captive by addiction, poverty and sin.

Jim Palmer of Orange County Rescue Mission and Chuck Booher of Crossroads Christian Church will present the vision for the future of homelessness in Corona. Saturday June 12th, 7pm. The main auditorium of Crossroads Community Church, 2331 Kellogg Ave, Corona.

“And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:38-40


The opportunity to be blessed:

I remember standing with Michelle Koranda during the kick-off of Monarch House and saying ”This is bigger than we can even imagine”. I had no idea that God would change so many lives of those who stepped up to help with Monarch, and God is doing the same thing again. I am in awe that a few months later we would be working with Orange County Rescue Mission to go the next step in the name of God to help those in need, the homeless of Corona.

The official roll out of the Corona-Norco Rescue Mission will be June 12th in the Main Auditorium of Crossroads. You can find information on http://www.crossroadschurch.com/home.asp and Chuck blogged about it on his Entheos Blog http://www.crossroadschurch.com/blog

That night we will hear the vision set forth by Chuck and Jim Palmer of OCRM and the plans for the Corona-Norco Rescue Mission. To be a part of this monumental event all you need to do is be there at 7pm.

This facility is currently known as “God’s Kitchen, Circle of Hope” on the corner of Sheridan and Harrison. From the working standpoint have a 7500 sq foot facility with multiple bathrooms, a commercial kitchen, living quarters, dining room and offices. It will be a painting, flooring, window, landscape and general fix-up project with maybe a few walls thrown up just to keep it interesting.

God is bringing together a force of people from different areas of the community to make sure the need is met, including Darrel Talbert, Director of Redevelopment for Corona, Dan Raatjes from Lennar Homes and RCR Plumbing which has already been on site helping out. Baxter Miller of BMLA Landscape Architecture is designing the landscaping. Ken Yannayon of Home Aide has pledged support and Mary Sinson of South Hills Church is making plans to involve their church.

From Crossroads, our Scott Hassman has already talked to the Home Depot Foundation and President and they are excited to get involved in the project. Kirk Bennett did our blueprint of the existing structure. Ray Ortega stepped in to insure the A/C work gets running for the summer. Jon Apogee just finished our “Before” pictures, you will see those posted soon! Just to be clear though, with all that help we are still going to need you!

We are still in the planning stages and there are no construction dates set as of yet, but all of that will soon change. Now that the official kick-off (June 12th) is just 2 weeks away, you will be seeing more email and more requests for assistance.

Your next step is to attend the meeting on June 12th and hear the vision, let God show you what we can all do to forward the compassion found in Jesus Christ. God will make a difference in the City of Corona. Will you be a part of that difference?

Matthew 25: 31-43:



    "But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.


"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.'


"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'


The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'


"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;


I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.'


"Then they themselves also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?'


"Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'


The Task Force for the Homeless holds a meeting the first Thursday of every month in Corona. I have been trying to get a grip on the homeless problem in the Corona/Riverside area, so I tagged along with Bill Riemer from Orange County Rescue Mission to the meeting. I introduced myself to the participants in the Task Force as probably one of the least sympathetic people when it comes to dealing with the homeless. That does not really seem to surprise anyone in the room; they know what we all see, intoxicated individuals roaming the streets looking for a handout. One of the participants refers to “druggies, drunks and dealers” who are not looking to get off the streets, just merely maintain their lifestyle. What we would all like to do is really help those who are homeless, rather than just feel like we are enabling those with addiction problems.


The thing I have learned over 24 years as a paramedic is you can’t save everyone. In fact, out of hundreds of full cardiac arrests that I have worked on, probably only a handful have survived to tell about the experience. Enter in Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM). http://www.rescuemission.org/ . They don’t save everyone, but they definitely make a profound difference.


We have probably all seen something exaggerated on a webpage and thought “Oh how fantastic!” only to see it in person and be somewhat disappointed. That is not the case with OCRM. It is worth the trip to Tustin to tour their facility, what they are doing is simply amazing. A few weeks ago, I sent out an invitation to take a tour and about 14 of us made the trip down to Tustin. It was hard not to walk around the campus with my mouth open in awe of what God has done in Orange County. OCRM has a holistic approach to being able to help those who truly are in need of help, regardless of the situation. Based in a God centered environment, their campus is able to provide the training and support to help people re-enter society with the skills they need to be successful.


The great thing is OCRM is trying to do the same thing in the city of Corona, but that is a few years down the road. Right now, we plan to makeover the existing shelter on Sheridan Ave.


In the past few months, OCRM has taken over the management of the Circle of Hope/God’s Kitchen/ Corona Shelter and soon you will see some changes being made to the facility. Crossroads Church will be jumping in to build, paint, carpet and repair the facility.


God is working on bringing all of the pieces together. Soon you will be hearing more of what God is doing in Corona and I will do my best to give you a “Heads-up” on what is happening. Right now, I would ask you to keep the project in prayer.

Helping the Homeless?

I could have figured that this was going to happen. God always seems to work this way in my life.


I cannot say that I have been sympathetic to the homeless among us, knowing that the most visible are homeless because of addictions. One of my many shortcomings is intolerance for drug & alcohol abusers. It comes well founded with a younger sister who has been in and out of prison for Methamphetamine sale & use. She bore 3 children with 3 different fathers. This left 3 children parentless, and caused amazing misery to my own parents.

I am also in one of those jobs (Firefighter/Paramedic) that see the tragedy of the intoxicated driver, overdoses and meth lab explosions. I just went on a call where a 15-year-old youth who was under the influence of a controlled substance, took on 5 cops in a wrestle mania. Then we responded to a chronic alcoholic, who lives in a broken down motor home parked on the street. At 42 years old, he looks 60 with increasing medical problems.

I do not give money to people on the street, and to be honest, I avoid those in need of help because of drug addiction. I do not find myself tolerant to their condition. What God is showing me now is not that I am intolerant but frustrated, because I do not know what to do to help. I know that handing out money is not the answer; no one in America starves to death from a lack of food and I am just funding their ability to feed their addiction. I am hesitant to become directly involved because I at some point I am going to be in the place of being the “Bad Guy” and having to exhibit some “Tough Love”. I am probably like most, who find it easier to move away from the problem rather than seek out God and His guidance. Then God threw me a curve ball and I swung hard.

I found myself involved in the Monarch Project and loving the camaraderie, the work and the finished product. About the time Monarch House was slowing to a close, Chuck contacted me wanting to know if I would be willing to lead another project, doing needed repairs to the Corona Homeless Shelter, Gods Kitchen/Circle of Hope. Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM) had recently acquired the facility from the city and was in need of manpower to get the job done. I told him I would keep it in prayer, but needed more information. The short part of the long story is that we are in the planning stages of doing a makeover for the Corona/Norco Homeless Shelter.

Purpose of Corona Rescue Mission: The purpose is to continue to provide emergency/ transitional shelter & food to the homeless in the Corona/Norco area. The facility provides shelter for 20-30 people per night, including children, with a capacity of 50. Breakfast and dinner is provided for 50 -80 people each meal. The purpose will remain the same for the next 3-5 years as more in-depth programs are introduced into the homeless community. The overall goal is to develop more resources for the community with training, education, rehabilitation and medical services on either this campus or securing other sites.

Purpose of the project: The purpose of the project is to improve the living/working conditions of those using the facility. Everything done will accommodate that and not change its current function. There will be nothing done that would hamper the progress of future conversion into training and education facilities.

So now, we have a way to work on the problem of homelessness. Will we fix everyone? No. It is a reality of life that you cannot save everyone; you can only do your best with the skills you have. As a church, teaming with OCRM, we expand our ability to make a definitive difference to those in need. Will we save everyone? No. Will God have an amazing impact into the Corona/Norco area using the shelter? Absolutely. Will God affect our lives using the shelter? He already has.

Monarch House has been amazing; I think I say that every time I start writing about the project, simply amazing. The physical project has been an amazing restoration, but for many of us, we have had the opportunity for the Men of Crossroads to come together with a single purpose.


I would like to tell you that we have hundreds of men crawling over this site every day, but the truth is we average about 6-10 guys throughout the day. Some are there through the morning, some through the afternoon and some stay all day. Everyday there is someone new on site that encourages us by their zeal and enthusiasm.

I am reminded of Gideon in the seventh chapter of the Book of Judges. Gideon is called by God to fight the Medianites.

"The LORD said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.” Judges 7:2&3

So Gideon whittles his crew down to 10,000 guys, but God still wants him to go and reduce his crew.

But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go. So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink. Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.” Judges 7:4

What I have learned on the Monarch House job-site is that God brings us just the guys we need and the guys who need us. Our ability to lift up and minister to a number of men has been a remarkable gesture from God and in doing so we have actually been ministered to as well. I can tell you that the feats performed at Monarch House have been Gods hands moving through the Men of Crossroads. There has been building, painting and plumbing, but most of all ministering to one another, encouraging one another and building one another up.

Praise to God for all those who have landed on the grounds of The Monarch House, you have been true warriors for the Lord. The task is not yet complete, but I believe each of you have been specifically chosen by God and I’ve enjoyed every step.

It’s here, it’s here! March 2nd - 5th. We are down to the last days before the start of the Xtreme Monarch House makeover … Check out the latest…


The Rumor!

The rumor that we have a “Hot Shot” crew coming in from Home Depot who will complete a remodel project in one day, while eating a sandwich and watching the kids at the same time is not true. The Home Depot volunteers are just like any of us, in fact they might be your neighbor. These are the clerks, the guy in plumbing or the gal in the paint department of you local Home Depot. They are stepping in to work side by side with us to see this project completed. It’s a great time to show our appreciation to the Home Depot. So we need your help any day that you are available.

Children: Because of the hazards, no children under 16years old will be allowed inside the fence of the construction area. They are welcome to help in the food prep area. If they are 16 & 17 years old, they must have a parent on –site.

We will be providing breakfast & lunch every day on-site! If you would like to donate or help contact Beth Hassman at scstarlet@yahoo.com .

Tuesday, March 2nd. (This day has just been added)
This is considered a “Home Depot “day for them to get familiar with the work, if you are available and would like to help you are more than welcome on-site.

Major Projects are:
• Supply deliveries and organization.
• Spray stucco painting exterior
• Spray primer-interior walls.
• Layout of the patio.
• Layout kitchen cabinets
• Form concrete sidewalk
• Layout fencing.

Wednesday, March 3rd.
Everyone is on-site, Home Depot and Crossroads.

• Finish paint to all the walls.
• Install kitchen fixtures.
• Lay engineered flooring
• Lay travertine
• Tile bathroom floor
• Bathroom cabinets
• Tile flooring in the back bathrooms
• New front door

The 4th & 5th will mainly be Crossroads finishing what we started. The exact list is as follows:

Security:
• Front & Rear security lights
• PVC fencing with man gate.
• Side gate
• new front door/locks
• Smoke detectors

Landscaping:
• Cap retaining wall
• Repair retaining wall with brick/rock façade or paint.
• Driveway bed: sprinklers, plants, 12” garden wall with back fill.
• Front of house: 2 trees,
• concrete walkway
• pots & plants, sod,
• sprinkler repair.

Exterior:
• Replace 13 windows, retro fit.
• Paint
• Patio rail.
• Freestanding patio structure
• Gutter repair
• R/R vent covers
• BBQ

Bathroom:
• Flooring: tile w/base boards
• Replace toilet
• Paint
• Lighting
• Vanity/sink/fixtures
• tile shower enclose.
• Interior door & hardware.

Kids Corner
• Flooring: tile or engineered wood.
• Baseboards
• Paint
• Lighting
• Ceiling fan

Great Room:
• Paint
• Flooring
• Lighting
• 2 ceiling fans
• Baseboards/crown molding.
• Wood façade

Kitchen:
• Paint
• Floors
• lighting
• Cabinets
• Counter tops: Tile
• Sink/Faucet/disposal
• Appliances: Stove, fridge, dishwasher, microwave

Multipurpose room (Separate structure)
• Flooring :Bamboo
• Paint
• Window treatments
• Light fixtures
• Tile bathroom floors.
• Replace sink and toilets

Scott Hassman is my guest writer, He used his (His) influence with Home Depot to get the Monarch House Project started ... Thanks for your testimony Scott.

How to start and avalanche


Sent an email at 10:27am on Nov 2 2009. The response came only 9 min later. That response might change lives forever. Many people have said thanks to me, applauded my tireless work and complimented me for doing such a great thing. Frankly, it makes me pretty uncomfortable to hear these things. What did I even do? One email only 110 words, including please and thank you. What credit can I take? What credit do I even want?

I have been very blessed and fortunate to have had some pretty cool experiences. Been to a Super Bowl, NBA Finals, World Series, even seen the Stanley Cup raised during the final game. Been in the pits during a Nascar race, a PGA event and attended the ESPY awards in a tux. I have some pretty good stories to tell. Who would have thought one of the best would start with an email.

It all started with a sermon on Nov 1 2009 from Pastor Chuck. He talked about volunteering time. He wanted us to sign up after Church to help in the kids ministries, or at the food pantry or with missions. Of course I am too busy to be obligated to give in this way. After all I logged over 125,000 airline miles and 50+ hotel nights this year alone. Spent time in 3 countries and 20+ states. Other people will take care of this. I will do my best to tithe and be involved to a degree I feel comfortable. I can only do so much… right?

Have you thought about how an avalanche starts? Well I'll tell you how.

There are two things needed to start an avalanche. One is a snow covered

slope; another is a trigger like a strong wind, a skier, or a person's voice.

One person’s voice? Does an email count?

I know that day I was touched by God. It took a pretty swift kick as I am kind of slow, but a touch none the less. I don’t remember much of the sermon, as I spent most of the time arguing with myself. Debating with myself all the reasons why I should not send that email. I know him, we had worked together for years, we have been indoctrinated with similar corporate values. I can’t email him, I don’t work there anymore, they don’t do these types of projects anymore, it could be very awkward. For once in my life I decided to LISTEN to GOD. If He says to do it, it is for a reason.

Only 12 months earlier I had no idea where we would be. The company I worked for had just lost its contract and would be closing; the 4 companies I owned were simultaneously failing in the worst economy in 50+ years. Would I find a job? Would we keep our home? I need a plan. I need to figure out what to do. Finally I realized I can’t answer this one. I can’t figure a plan. I will just have to have some faith. Somehow it turned out great, probably because I got out of Gods way.

Was He putting the snow in place for an avalanche?

12 months earlier I would never had sent that email. I am not totally sure why, but I believe I would have talked myself out of it. I guess I would have lost that argument with myself.

What would have happened to all that snow? Would this avalanche have happened or would the snow have just melted. What an amazing opportunity would have been missed for all of us.

The avalanche began with a call the next day with the Team Depot people with Home Depot. The email I sent was to the President of the Western Division of Home Depot. He said they would love to be involved and forwarded it to the Team Depot group. Sherry with that group, turns out, used to be my Assistant when I was the Western Division Garden Buyer for Home Depot. I told her all I knew, not much, about the Women’s resource center our Church was hoping to open. She informed me Home Depot had just started doing these types of projects again. See, for the last 5+ years they had focused on community playgrounds and not much else. Hmmm, what timing. Is it luck or more snow?

As the process moved forward the project grew. It moved from the donation of some product to $35,000+ in supplies and an army of volunteers from Home Depot to help, all at one time, revamp the facility. More snow?

Now Michelle Koranda gets Todd Holtkamp involved and the thing really catches speed! Now we have hundreds of people involved, services donated and unstoppable determination to see incredible things happen.

Is God waiting to start an avalanche in your life? Is he just asking you to add one snow flake?

Each step of the way someone added the one flake of snow to start another avalanche. Why did Chuck do that sermon that day? Why did Michelle ask my wife to help pick colors for the Monarch House? Why was Todd available to help in such an unbelievable way? Why had Home Depot changed the type of projects?

It was all snow. Each flake had to be laid to start this avalanche. Only one flake missed and none of it happens. Are we standing in the way of an avalanche that would change our lives and those around us in a great and glorious way?

It’s happening!! The Xtreme Makeover for Monarch House (Sorority House) is funded and moving forward. Food will only be provided on the “Construction Days” March 3-5th


THE ITINERARY:

This Saturday, February 20th - Wall & Patio Prep. 8a.m. We are putting together teams to come in and accomplish the tasks below. We have several men with the talents, but we can always use a hand. Please RSVP if you plan to make it. Yes, we are still looking for some help. Bring your tools. We will:

• Repair the drywall throughout the house. Skin and re-texture.

• Replace the rear bathroom drywall, texture.

• Set shower pan in front bath.

• Pour concrete footings for patio structure.

• Pour concrete pad for water heater.

Saturday February 27th - Floor Prep. 8 a.m. Again we will be putting together teams supervised by those with the expertise. This will be a day with a lot of lifting and moving panels of plywood and hardy board. Bring your legs and backs… NO WHINERS!!!… Except me!

• Prepare the kitchen & great room for tile & travertine.

• Replace subfloor in bathroom, prepare for tile.

Tuesday March 2nd - Home Depot Day. 8a.m. This is a Home Depot day that they can get delivery and preparation to start construction. Some of us will be on site that day to just help with organization.

Wednesday March 3rd- Friday March 5th LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!!!! . 8am-5pm

I will have a better list of activities in updates to follow. We will also be establishing sign-up sheets for specific days so we have an idea of how many people will be on- site. We are planning a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Ryobi/Rigid tool truck will be on-site at least one day. “I CAN FEEL THE POWER!!! I’ll keep you posted as the time approaches.

It’s time to give everyone a quick update on the Monarch House project. Thanks again for everyone who helped on Demo Day, it was fun & productive! They have made the name change from Sorority House to Monarch House:


Monarch House…

Where Transformation Begins

Monarch House exists to enrich and transform women’s lives through prayer, life coaching, crisis care referral, life skills classes, support groups, recreational activities, and community events. At Monarch House you will find HOME…a place where comfort, safety, love and laughter unfold…a place to discover sisters to share life’s journey with…and above all…a place to meet Him. That’s where transformation begins.

Monarch House will offer… Prayer Counselors Available for Walk-Ins, Community Resource Referral Center, Support Groups & Studies, Health Awareness Seminars, Life Skills Classes: Resumes, Budgeting, Organization, Mom and Me Classes/Parenting Seminars, High School/Young Adult Mentors, Art Classes, Scrapbooking, Cooking Groups/Classes, Book Clubs, Prayer Walks, Aerobics/Running, On-site Child Care.

Construction Days with Home Depot: March 3rd, 4th & 5th. We will be working side by side with volunteers from Home Depot to install kitchen & bath, lay flooring, replace windows, paint interior/exterior, repair stucco, build a patio and landscaping…. We will be providing breakfast and lunch on these days. It sounds like an amazing week lined up, so I hope you can join us. We will have schedules available on kiosk February 21st & 28th.

Right now we have approval for the project; we are waiting for the actual funding which should be Friday the 12th. This will give us the actual money to do some pre-construction work.

Pre-Construction Days:

Saturday, the 13th

Plumbing: Bogar Aguilar and Keith Stahl will be there to install the fresh water plumbing.

We will be putting together specific crews to accomplish the following tasks, please contact me for updates on the time and need:

Saturday the 20th

Floor prep: We need to remove the subfloor in the bathroom and prep for tile. We will prep the kitchen and Great room for tile & travertine: Lay hardy board or dry pack. We are still in need of a professional tile layer for advice.

Patio Footings: Pour concrete footings for the patio cover.

Saturday the 27th

Drywall: We are putting together a crew to do drywall repair and texture the walls. If you have experience, contact me.

Finding your place.


It was a roll-over traffic collision (T/C) on the freeway. We arrived on-scene to find a vehicle upside down in the center lane. The victim was the driver, a 70ish year old male who was suspended upside down in the vehicle, and he wasn’t breathing. He was being held in by his seat belt. My partner and I slid into the car, disconnected the seat belt, and slid him out.

As we spread out our gear preparing to intubate the patient (passing a tube into his lungs to breathe for him), a man touched my shoulder and said, “Can I help? I am an Anesthesiologist.” This guy was not only a doctor, but he intubates people for a living. I said, “Sure.” We set about intubating the patient lying on the side of the freeway. He made several attempts to intubate and failed at each attempt.

I asked him if I could try, and he gestured toward the patient in approval. I took off my turnout coat and laid flat on my stomach at the head of the patient. Then I pulled my coat over both me and the patient, blocking out all light except the one on my laryngoscope. I intubated the patient and we started breathing for him. We were code 3 to the trauma center. The doctor kept apologizing enroute, shaking his head about what I had done. He was humble and very congenial on the ride to the hospital.

What happened?

This doctor intubates more people in week than I do in a year, so he had ability, but he was outside of his element. He was outside the hospital; the patient was on the ground and not a gurney. On the other hand, I am not a doctor, but I am good at what I do.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully” Romans 12:6-8

The scripture is clear that we each have our own peculiar set of abilities. It doesn’t require a degree in “Service” to be a good servant. I might like that degree in “Encouragement”. If I had that, I could get people to do what I want.…Right.

The truth is, we all have remarkable talents in specific situations that can literally “Save a soul”: The guy who picks up a rake and brings a lost teen on Saturday to rake the leaves at the church building while telling his own life story in Christ. The outstretched hand to help a neighbor in need, and pray for and with him. The volunteer in Children’s Ministry that encourages a parent about their child. All of these are functions that only you may be able to perform. You might not be able to lead them through the 13 dispensations of the Bible or have a discourse on the Evolution/creation debate, but you can be there when needed.

Sometimes, servant leadership isn’t asking “What needs to be done?” hoping that no one answers. Sometimes it is “I can do that!” and taking the step forward when others may have failed.

Jesus found fisherman to be His disciples; yet Luke was a physician, an interesting array of individuals. I would imagine they were pretty common individuals, just like you and me. We can do great works from where we are; we just have to act on what we are “gifted in”, and quit worrying if we are qualified.

The gentleman in the T/C did survive.

Nehemiah encourages

Nehemiah Continued...
In the last blog about Nehemiah, I brought out the comparison between the wall surrounding the city of Jerusalem and our own employment. When we lose our ability to work and provide for our family’s security, we become vulnerable. Nehemiah wept before God concerning his people. In chapter 2, Nehemiah takes his request to rebuild the wall to his employer/master, King Artaxerxes. The king gave him supplies and letters of safe passage to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem.


What was it that rebuilt the walls?

Artaxerxes didn’t send an army of engineers to rebuild the wall. A miracle did not take place. The people of Jerusalem didn’t suddenly wake up one morning to find the walls rebuilt, as their ancestors had found manna in the desert. Nehemiah wasn't even in the construction business, he was a cup bearer for the king! It seems that God was determined to prove His righteousness in Chapter 3. God chose to use the miracle of encouragement through Nehemiah to rebuild the wall.

Last Thursday, we started openly soliciting help for the Sorority house Project. To this point, we have 75 people signed up to help in demo/construction/food. Praise God, HE is faithful! What an encouragement!

There was no miracle in the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem, or the building of Sorority House, just encouragement and support. Throughout chapter 3 we read of each man, woman and child getting together to build the wall. From Eliashib the high priest in first verse, to the goldsmiths and merchants in verse 32, everyone put their hand to the work.

I have read through Nehemiah a number of times and have never really given the third chapter much consideration until now. It seems that the biggest thing that Nehemiah does is give encouragement. Everyone would recognize the need to rebuild the wall; no one stepped up to get the job done.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:23-25

As each person set about rebuilding the wall, they stood side by side encouraging, rebuilding security into their life and the life of their neighbor. Each person had their name written in the Bible. For doing what? Simply standing side by side and working. In how many books will your name be written for your work toward the Lord? Sometimes we think God doesn’t notice our struggles or achievements. I think He notices, and I think He makes a note. Don’t fear; you have not been left vulnerable or abandoned.

“But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” Luke 12:5-7

You may not be able to go to Haiti and render aid, or stand up before thousands and preach the Word. But you can stand side by side with us as we set about to build security in a woman’s life through your help and encouragement with the Sorority House Project.