“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.