Cloudy Or Clear - God Will Fulfill His Purpose For Us

This morning when I arrived at work, it was raining. It is now afternoon and I look out my office window to see hints of blue peeking from behind the same clouds that brought the rain. In my experience I have come to realize that circumstances are a lot like the weather, always changing with little regard to my own plans.

When it comes down to it, we have to learn to say with David, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Both clouds and sun have a purpose - just like times of struggle and comfort in our lives.

Rain brings replenishment and the sun brings energy and God has a purpose for every drop and ray that enters our lives; different circumstances help us to grow in different ways.Some people staying at the Mission seem to find only gray clouds through bad attitudes and foolish actions, while others get caught in a sudden downpour. Whatever their reasons, Lighthouse Mission does everything it can to share hope and to help people weather the storms of life.

It is your provision that allows us to minister to physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of many local people. Thank you for your gift; as we speak, your generosity is bringing light into stormy and dark lives. The Lord is fulfilling His purpose and showing love through your generosity!

Bellingham Kinanis Helps Provide Agape Playground

National Child Traumatic Stress Network reports:

• "Homeless children are sick at twice the rate of other children. They suffer twice as many ear infections, have four times the rate of asthma, and have five times more diarrhea and stomach problems."

• "Half of school-age homeless children experience anxiety, depression, or withdrawal compared to 18 percent of nonhomeless children."

Exercise is a great way for children to combat sickness and cope with stress. We are looking forward to the assembly of an outdoor playground at Agape Home to help the children remain healthy and happy.

Bellingham Kiwanis has generously raised the funds for the playground and will begin assembling is on May 8th! Thank you Bellingham Kiwanis!

New Life Graduate Receives College Scholarship

The Bellingham Herald published an article about one of our most recent graduates from the New Life Program.

Many people know we serve meals and offer shelter to those in need; however our programing challenges people address their anger, addiction, and bitterness. It is a rigorous program and we are overjoyed to see Parris' success and the success of all other program members. God is so good! Please continue to pray for us and those in the New Life Program.

Please be our guest at our Spring Banquet. There is no ticket price - all you have to do is call to RSVP (360) 671-1562 to reserve your seat.

Sandwich Odyssey will be serving roasted chicken and roast beef with grilled vegetables, a spring salad, twice baked potatoes, and cheesecake for dessert!

Entertainment will be provided by the End of the Road String Band, and two of our most recent graduates from the New Life Program will be sharing their testimonies.

It will be a great time to enjoy some good food and entertainment and hear about how God is working through this ministry.

Attendance is absolutely free, but an offering will be taken to help them continue to serve people who are in need.

We hope to see you there!

Super Bowl Sunday Party!

The Drop-In Center will extend its hours this Sunday so local hungry and homeless people can enjoy Super Bowl Sunday. Little Caesar’s Pizza will donate the pizzas for the Super Bowl Party, and Walton Beverages will be providing the soft drinks.

Volunteers from the community will be at the event to serve and clean up. Anyone is welcome to attend the event. When asked about how this benefits people who are homeless, Hans Erichinger-Davis, Men’s Ministries Manager, said, “It is important for people to be able to recreate in a positive way and in a safe environment.”

Through the Drop-In Center, Lighthouse Mission is able to help the homeless with their immediate needs while facilitating positive change in their lives. Open seven days a week, and located at 1013 West Holly Street, the Drop-In Center is a safe place for homeless individuals and families to go during the day.

Alone and yet not unwanted

Just as the ocean wave gradually erodes the cliff side, unobstructed loneliness gradually erodes the heart. Loneliness creeps up on everyone at some point, and if we let it, it can cause us serious damage. We often see this damage in the people we serve at the Mission.

The Bible tells us that we were not made to be alone; we are made for connection, relationship, and community. As a result, isolated people who do not know where to turn write themselves prescriptions for their loneliness. They begin to self medicate with drugs, alcohol, and unhealthy relationships. All of these medications seem to work well at first, they temporarily ease the sting of the heart’s erosion, but they only numb the pain for a little while. Eventually loneliness will return, and their makeshift prescriptions have brought more damage than repair.

We’ve seen people go through this cycle time and time again. They are all in search of one thing, meaningful and intimate relationship. At Lighthouse Mission we desire to introduce the lonely to a Friend who "will not leave or forsake" so that in the hardest of times they will not pick up the bottle, or return to their abusive lover. But they will run to God’s open arms because He is the One who forgives all iniquities, heals all diseases, and redeems life from destruction (Psalm 103).

Please continue to pray for the lonely people we serve, loneliness can truly eat away at your heart if you let, it is our prayer that they will turn to God’s promises and take refuge in Him in the darkest and lightest of times. Thank you for your loving support of this ministry.

Pulling Together

It has been hard to avoid the news of the devastation that has gone on in Haiti after the earthquake hit. The reports of casualties and the brutal pictures are almost more than one can take. As we think of the people who live there, we cannot help but feel the pain of their suffering.

It certainly has been amazing to see the world reach out to the people of Haiti, bringing together people of different backgrounds in the name of compassion and generosity. Their culture may be foreign to us, but suffering is universally understood.

On a smaller scale, it is encouraging to see our community continually pull together to help people who are living in homelessness right here in Whatcom and Skagit counties. Many of them victims of circumstances beyond their control. Individuals and businesses have been coming together for the past 87 years in support of the Lighthouse Mission.

As the demand for our services increases, we see God’s provision increasing through your prayers and giving. Each time you support us, you are a blessing us, and more importantly the people we serve. We cannot escape suffering and pain; it surrounds our families, our communities, and our world; however you have a part in sharing hope and relief. And your gifts that do just that- they help us provide relief through food and shelter, and share the hope and everlasting joy that comes with knowing Christ.