Mission Moments - Snapshots from the Soul
Every person who passes through the doors of City Union Mission has a unique story to tell - every man, every woman, and every child. Some stories are gripping, some are interesting, and some are heartwarming, while others are heartbreaking.
We have captured several stories that may change the way you view homelessness forever. Here is your chance to take a glimpse into the lives of a few of our precious clients, volunteers, and donors. We hope you will take a minute to engross yourself in these powerful testimonies. Please place yourself in their shoes, and join them in their past sorrows as well as their newfound joy.
Jonathan
They Gave me Refuge!
Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Not everyone who has thoughts of suicide is down and out financially. Thoughts of suicide attacked Jonathan’s mind even though his stomach was full, and he had just come from the casinos with almost $2,000 in his pocket. "At the time I had a paycheck coming that Friday and was working 2 jobs. I was just physically and mentally exhausted, frustrated and angry. My little girl, who is 11 years old, had told me a few days before that she didn't want to see me anymore. You know how Satan comes to tempt you when you are at your weakest? Well, that was what Satan was doing to me," Jonathan relates.
Despairing thoughts of his own unworthiness got louder and louder as Jonathan was walking on 10th Street across the bridge over I-35 North. Then it came to him, "If I leaned over the bridge, and fell off, all the pain would be over. I could end it all now." But right then another thought entered his mind, "What if I didn’t die? What if I ended up in a wheel chair for the rest of my life? What would my daughter think of me then? All the 'what ifs' brought clarity to my thinking," he says thankfully.
He continued walking past the Margaret Kemp Park, known among the locals as Jurrasic Park. He saw someone he used to work with and began a conversation. Jonathan told him he was looking for help, a recovery program, and wondered about City Union Mission. The man told him, "At City Union Mission they make you take a shower, go to chapel, and abide by their rules." Jonathon decided that was just what he needed. He had been doing things his own way, and that wasn’t working too well. He wanted real help. So with just a tiny bit of hope in his heart, he headed toward City Union Mission.
Jonathan is now in the Job Hunter’s piece of the RECON program (reconciliation), which means he is looking for a job. "I thought I had a job, but when I checked back they had given it to somebody else. In the past I would have gone out and got drunk. But now I see God in all situations and am asking Him what to do next. City Union Mission gave me that. They helped to re-establish my self-esteem."
The one thing that really surprised Jonathan was the amount of care and love that the men have for one another. "I wasn’t expecting to meet people like that. The Mission gave me the chance to learn more about God. They gave me refuge physically, emotionally and spiritually. It was a whole lot more than I expected!"
Do you know that God loves you like he loves Jonathan? If not, click here to read about why God loves you and has already done for you before you knew Him.