news r e s cu e Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission

A Ministry of Rescue & Recovery

a publication of the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission • Anchorage, Alaska

Happy
Mother’s Day

David M. Williams
Program Director

Larry Aldrich
Operations Manager

Randy Hess
Maintenance Supervisor

Larry O’Connor
Greg Mann
Neil Givens
Roger Klein
Client Supervisors

David McKnight
Van Driver

Shane Day
Maintenance
ay

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 sk
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di D What a Blessing!
e v.
R Keep up the good work.
To all of the mothers that reads
this newsletter I would like to
take the opportunity to wish you
a very “Happy Mother’s Day”.
It is my privilege to honor you
on this your day. To recognize
the place that mother’s influence
have on the lives of their
children. Thank God for Godly
Mothers! The old adage, “the
hand that rocks the cradle is the
hand that builds the character of
the generation that will one day
lead our nation” is still true. It
is you Mom, that the kids go to
when they are small and skin a
knee or burn a finger—it is you
that comfort them and make
it all better. Or when they get
a little older and they get into
simple young people’s trouble
that only you can handle by
giving them comfort, assurance
and sympathy they need in their
time of distress. Some things
godly mothers
are a treasure indeed!
can be solved by a hug or a kiss Godly Mothers
and letting them know that you
understand and, perhaps, give We owe you a lot,
them the advice that they need
to solve their problem.
A Childs Prayer
Mother’s your influence makes On Mother‛s Day
all the difference in the world
as to how families turn out. God in heaven, I thank Thee
You usually take the lead in the This day on bended knee
For the wonderful mother
spiritual life of the family. You
Thou hast given me!
are the one that sees to it that
everyone get to church in time Her heart is kind and gentle…
for Sunday School, has their Flowing with love and care;
Her touch is warm and loving,
Bible lessons prepared, and you
Her life a constant prayer.
are the one that leads in family
worship and talks to the children How she often draws me
about the Lord. Into here arms to read,
God‛s holy word, the Bible…
Words my heart should heed.
I truly hope you are there for
them when they realize that How often too, I heard her
they need a Savior and that you Whisper my name in prayer!
Never a childish problem
have the opportunity to lead
But she is always there.
them to a saving knowledge of
Jesus Christ and to make Him God in heaven, I ask Thee,
their Lord and Savior. Mom be Now while I bow to pray—
In Thy great loving kindness
there first, before the world and
Bless my mother today!
the cults of this world turn their
head and heart and Christian
influence that you have provided
through the years

www.anchoragerescue.org
We invite you to visit us on the web or
drop us an E-mail with your comments

2 and suggestions
 Living Memorials
e
t ...touch lives as they honor the
da memory of loved ones and friends.
up s
am iam
og
r ill In Memory of
W
pr d
vi Esperanza M. Casas
Da by Martha Cashen
In Memory of
Marjarie Garwood

Spring Cleaning by Arne B Beltz

Dorothy M. Roberts
Well it’s that time of the year where the ice is melting, In Memory of
the birds are singing, and some of the men are chomping Edna Loudon
at the bit to leave the program. Although there is no by David and Marilyn Anderson
hard evidence to support this theory; I’m confident in Ronald and Janis Ogle
saying the yearly exodus, from the “NewLife” program Alene C. Lindstrand
is not unique to the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission. Anonymous
In fact this yearly house cleaning can be looked at as a In Memory of
blessing in that God is exposing the motives of men’s Doris Mead
hearts. by Alfred Mead
In Memory of
For those men who are here for the wrong reasons John D. Schandelmeier
the warm weather and the prospect of jobs will derail by Etta M. Schandelmeier
their efforts. For those men who are here for the right In Memory of
reason leaving before graduation is not an option. Alvin Syren
One of the most difficult responsibilities we face is by A.O. and Evanne Syren
determining whether or not someone is qualified to be
in the “NewLife” program. God’s word instructs us not * * * * * *
to judge a man’s heart:

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time;

wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what
is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of
men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise
from God.
1Corinthians 4:5 (NIV)

At the same time our intake process must judge a man’s

motives. Although this is a daunting task God always
reveals that which is hidden. Therefore, for us here at
the Mission the term Spring Cleaning is more literal
than figurative.

We ask for your prayers at this difficult time of the

year so that the men, who are struggling against the
worldly forces that threaten to overtake them, will have

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the strength to overcome. Again we thank you for your
support of this Mission and it’s mission.
 s
e
o ni
m
s ti
te
Consider it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many
kinds, because you know that
the testing of your faith develops
perseverance. Perseverance must
finish its work so that you may be
mature and complete, not lacking
anything.
James 1:2-4
At the age of four I was sexually
molested and beaten so badly I was
hospitalized for several months. I
felt the presence of the Lord for the
first time when I was released from
the hospital and the detective told
me I needed to open up and learn
to forgive or else it would eat at me
for the rest of my life. Although I
can never be sure I feel he was led
by the Holy Spirit into sharing his
thoughts.
The forgiving part came easy for
me but the opening up didn’t.
Although I became a loner I didn’t
assign blame or take sides I just
wanted to figure life out. I knew
God was with me yet I never turned
toward him. I knew in my heart if I
did I would have to change.
I was a city kid growing up in
L.A. not really knowing what the
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His
Healing
Touch!
world wanted of me. I surrounded was a month pregnant we also have
myself with people who, like me, a child together. So now I have two
were rebels. We never went to boy’s Chris and Tyler a blessing for
school and we stayed in trouble sure. Unfortunately she is as bad as
so it’s really not surprising I only I am where the drugs and alcohol
made it to the seventh grade. is concerned. Though she loves our
children with all of her heart she is
Out of all the searching of was trapped in her addiction like I was.
doing the only thing I found was
drugs and alcohol. I liked it. My Work has never been the problem
stepfather was a biker in a California I have been roofing since I was
motorcycle gang. There were a lot 17 years old I’ve also been in
of drugs and drinking but despite the roofing Union for 12 years.
all that I felt loved. My stepfather Making money or finding work
taught me love, integrity, honor. has never been a problem for
He also taught me to protect the me. The problem was when the
weak and give what you can to help
others. But he was a drug addict.
At the same time I saw my real father
whose drug was money, houses, and
prestige; Trying to buy happiness
with material things. So you can
imagine how confused I was.
My drug use landed me behind
bars for four and a half years.
My incarceration gave me an
opportunity to think about my life.
I was still trying to figure things out
on my own and not turning toward
the Lord. Despite my refusal to
seek God he never left my side.
I met and moved in with a girl who
drugs and alcohol would catch up
with me I would get fired or quit.
Our home life was really bad yet
I didn’t know how to change the
way I had been living for 30 years.
I had become use to this lifestyle.
She and I were poison together,
more jail time and restraining
orders made for a miserable
life. I could show the boys that I
loved them but I wasn’t showing
them how to live a life that
would lead to joy and happiness.
I moved to Alaska and eventually
they all moved up to join me.
We gave our relationship another
try but unfortunately the drugs
took their toll on us. Between me
being away working all of the
time and the drug use it drove
her to someone else and she
moved to Oregon with the boys.
I sought solace in drugs and
sank deeper and deeper trying
to hide my pain. I was still
looking for something I was
missing, and God was still right
there all along yet I refused
to see him. I could see any
forgiveness, honor, love, or morals
I had were slipping away fast.
It took another two years for
the drugs to catch up with me.
Our kids went to live with their
grandmother. My wife returned
to Alaska and we were going to
give it one more attempt. Nothing
changed the drug use continued
demoralizing sexual activity had
become a part of our behavior
pattern and we were sinking lower.
Despite a broken jaw and a D.U.I.
I still refused to turn toward
God. When she broke her leg I
knew something had to change.
We started staying at the Anchorage
Gospel Rescue Mission and after
work I would come back to the
Mission and attend their nightly
church services. God opened my
eyes and heart! I could finally see
what I needed to do I could hear
him telling me it was time.
She didn’t want to stop drinking
so I ignored the Lords calling and
continued to drink. For the next
two weeks I could feel the Dog’s
of Hell getting closer and closer.
I woke up one morning on the
bench out front of Brother Francis
and felt evil all around me. I was
afraid because I couldn’t detect the
presence of God anymore.
All I could do was look up to the
heavens and surrender to God. I left
my job and her. I marched straight
to the Rescue Mission because God
had revealed himself to me there
in a way I could understand. I’ve
been here for 10 ½ months. This is
the place God has taught me about
his love and how to use the things
he has given me for his will not
mine. I’m learning how to be the
man he would have me be, one that
glorifies his name. I thank the Lord
for the trials and hardships that has
lead me to him.
In that second I gave my life to
Christ he took the addiction and the
sickness of perversion away from
me. He also took away the shame
associated with my actions. My
relationship with Christ has put me
into a new heart that wants to learn
more about him and also to share
what he has done for me to others.
To Christ goes all the Glory!
Do not conform any longer to
the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able
to test and approve what God’s
will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will.
Romans 12:2 (KJV)
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 Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission P.OB Box 230510 Anchorage, Alaska 99523-0510
Here is my support gift: For Credit Card Donations:
Food and Shelter: $_____ I would like to charge my total donation of $__________________
Check One: Visa ˆ M/C ˆ Am/Ex ˆ Discover ˆ
Facilities Maintenance: $_____
$46.25 For 25 Meals ______
$74.00 For 40 Meals ______ Card Number __________________________________________
$132.20 For 72 Meals ______
Exp. Date: ______/______ Signature _______________________
$277.50 For 150 Meals ______
______Other: All credit card information is kept in strict confidence
Make checks payable to the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission
______ I Will Pray for this Ministry.
You will receive a receipt.

Name:________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________
Please send this coupon with your donations.
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 Our Ministry of
Chapel Services for May
u e Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
e s c 1 2 3 4 5
r is to
Anchorage
Pilgrim
First
Anchorage
Anchorage
Vineyard
First
Presbyterian
Calvary
Baptist
Nazarene Gospel Fellowship Church Church
the least 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
the last God’s
Place
Abbot Loop
Community
First
Assembly of
Birchwood
Community
Alliance
Bible
Calvary
Church
Wasilla
Assembly
the lost Church God Church Church of God
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
God’s Church Anchorage Christian Sherbahn Sherbahn Lighthouse
“URGENT” Place of God of Native Evangelical Evangelistic Evangelistic Christian

Our supplies of these Prophecy Assembly Church Team Team Fellowship

20 21 22 23 24 25 26
items is constantly in Grace Sherbahn Attorney Calvary Evangelical In His Name Southside
need of replenishing Victory
Fellowship
Evangelistic
Team
Greg Grebe Baptist
Church
Covenant
Church
Sandy
McCollum
Church
of God
† Prayer 27 28 29 30 31
† Paper Towels New Light
Community
Calvary
Baptist
Grace
Brethren
Change Point Shiloh
Baptist
† 45 Gallon Trash Bags Church Church Eagle River Church

† Fresh Meat Nightly Services 7:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

† Coffee
† Bathroom Tissue
† Laundry Soap STATEMENT OF FAITH
† Disposable Shavers The Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission is a Non-Profit, Non-Denominational
† Cleaning Supplies organization. We receive NO municipal, state or federal funds. We are not a United
Way Agency. Your financial support and In-Kind donations makes it possible for us to
† Dinner Napkins provide for the poor, needy and homeless people in our community. Also, your donations
† Shampoo allow us to provide a Drug and Alcohol Recovery program. All Donations are fully tax
“URGENT” deductible. We will give you a receipt for your donation.

Anchorage Gospel D
Rescue Mission Anchorage Non-Profit Org.
P
ue
U.S. Postal

Board of Trustees Gospel c PAID

s Anchorage, AK
re Permit # 290 L
Mark Soquet, President Mission GOD BLESS AMERICA O

Bob Collins, Vice President A Ministry of info@anchoragerescue.org R

(and acting treasure) Rescue & Recovery www.anchoragerescue.org M
Ed Shelton, Secretary Visit us at:
ue
Enoch Adams
Brad Young

Emeritus:
r es
news
c

P.O. Box 230510•Anchorage, AK•99523-0510•(907) 563-5603

2823 E. Tudor Rd.
Anchorage, AK 99507
L
G
N
R
Cliff Hodgins
Rev. Willard leisy RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED C

Advisory Board: D
Paul Kelly
V

Rev. Don Bettis, Exec. Dir. S

Charlotte Bettis, Asst. Dir.
M

MEMBER
Association of Gospel ue
sc Missions
re
An association of Rescue Ministries