Staff Memo: Hallowe'en Joy

MEMO:

To: My Favourite Person
Fr: Michelle

Dt: Happy Hallowe’en! BOO!!



Just a small reminder to focus on JOY!

Jesus
Are you in a right relationship with Him today? Have you prayed? Read His All-Powerful Words? Coming to Bible Study or Share-n-Prayer?

Others
Are you anticipating the needs of your fellow Missioners? Are you considering them better than yourself?

You
Have you made proper use of your leisure time this past week and weekend?







cc. All my favourite people

The nuns left this in their office when they sold us their convent!

I've been tagged by my friend, Rick.

Here are the rules:

The rules are simple… Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Habit, defined:
A recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition. An established disposition of the mind or character. Customary manner or practice: a person of ascetic habits. An addiction.

Fact, defined:
Something that actually exists; reality; truth. Something known to exist or to have happened.

1. I'm naturally self-assured.
2. I love public speaking.
3. I don't like massages.
4. I can't wait to get to work in the mornings.
5. Mmmm, coffee.
6. If I wasn't a missionary I would try acting or editing a magazine.
7. Whistling and nail biting drive me nuts.
8. My cat might have fleas.

I tag: Becca, Steve, Andy, Trudy, Joey, Janelle, Lisa, and last but not least, Jordan.

Book Review: The Millionaire Next Door

The Millionaire Next Door,
by Thomas J Stanley & William D Danko

I read this book over the summer for two reasons.

1. It was recommended by a fellow mission director to understand some of our wealthier donors.

2. I wanted to start investing some money and was looking for some ideas. When Ken and I first moved to Regina, we had about $30,000 in RSP's and some from the sale of our house. We used it to finance the Mission and ourselves for the first year or so.

We didn't mind. And I don't mention it as a bragging point, but as a significant part of our Mission's history and heritage. I believe giving inspires giving. So many people are out there wanting a "job" at the Rescue Mission. We are looking for more than employees. We are looking for "workers."

Then said he to his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the workers are few; Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth workers into his harvest. -Matthew 9:37&38

At any rate, time to build up some savings again. Last time we thought we were saving for a house, but we ended up buying one as Ken's was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and we needed some space away from the Mission. God obviously had other plans for that money. Now we thinking we're saving for retirement. We'll see!

So, as for the actual book review, if you Google "The Millionaire Next Door" you will learn more about the book than I can ever tell you here. It turns out everyone is talking about this book! Ha!

What it boils down to is discipline and hard work. As it turns out, what we put our mind and effort toward, is what we get. Oh, wait. I've heard this before.

Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. -Galatians 6:7b

Tips of the Trade:
*Your spouse must be involved and just as committed--millionaire wives look after the family finances.
*Don't be showy--no fancy cars, houses or watches are owned by millionaires.
*Don't spend on frivolous items--different book, but same concept as "The Latte Factor."
*Don't blow your money on your kids--particularly as adults.
*Value education--even though you may not have any yourself!

The book bases these and more on much research, and so, in some places, reads like a textbook, breaking down millionaire facts into demographics of nationality and even by state. Also by the cars they drive and watches they wear.

I enjoyed it because it made me realize that most people have a relatively low "net worth" because they don't want to work hard at work, and then work hard at home. Anything that tells me the reward comes with discipline and determination causes me to be excited about spiritual and heavenly rewards as I invest my life in Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission.

Happy BLOG Birthday!

Michelle's Manifesto: Teamwork

Written back when we were Regina RESCUE Mission and had only two buildings and a much smaller work. Only the name has been changed.

Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission is not a one-woman ministry. I don't lead everyone to the Lord, and the ones I do are usually the product of a team effort. I don't look after the place at night or on Saturdays. I don't plan resident work bees or activities. I don't lead staff meetings. I don't do the cooking (okay, sometimes I do), and I don't look after the women. I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team. I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the TEAM, not the individual, are the ultimate servants, and therefore, the champions.

Inspired by John Maxwell's Law of the Big Picture: The goal is more important than the role.

Tobacco: The Smoking Gun

A fellow director from Boise sent the following down the pike:

Tobacco: The Smoking Gun, a report on smoking:

Some highlights include:

*The nicotine in tobacco products poses a significant danger of structural and chemical changes in developing brains that can make teens more vulnerable to alcohol and other drug addiction and to mental illness.
*Teens who smoke are nine times likelier to meet the medical criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence and 13 times likelier to meet the medical criteria for abuse and dependence on an illegal drug than teens that don't smoke."

At 10:00 AM EDT today CASA released a new report commissioned
by The Citizens' Commission to Protect the Truth, a group of all former U.S.
Secretaries of Health, Education, and Welfare and of Health and Human
Services, all former U.S. Surgeons General, and all former Directors of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The mortgage is on FIRE!

That's right, folks! Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission is now officially DEBT FREE! How wonderfully God has provided for all our needs. He truly is our Jehovah-Jirah.

I thank the 18 people who made this happen, and all those who have given previously to our various buildings.

From a carton of milk crates for chairs, and a cup of coffee, merged with a couple in a crack shack, Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission was born. From a budget of $18,000 and 2 volunteers, to 5 TOP NOTCH facilities, 24 staff, a million dollar budget, and a full continuum of care, we've come a long, long way!

Summer Holidays

All told, I spent over one month out at Rowan's Ravine this summer. It was much needed rest for me. The first three weeks Ken and I went were in June. We came home about once a week due to rain, but the hour's drive and puttering around the house was nice, too. My book reviews were from the summer, and there are more to come. We got some television series DVD's from the library, so that kept us busy, too. This is my camera phone pictoral essay for you. Enjoy!

This is my signature photo. I can't believe how great this turned out with a camera phone. It was the perfect day outside; the best of the summer, I'd say. The rays are gorgeous, eh? I have this on my phone desktop so I keep the summer holidays fresh in my mind.

The reflections are beautiful, aren't they? Again, with the camera phone.

You may wonder why we go in June, and then again in September. Get a load of the lack of people in these shots. That's right. No kids. No adults. Just Ken and I with the entire beach to ourselves. Crazy, eh?!

This is where I liked to bike to sit at a picnic table to read and reflect.

Ken bought me a fold-up bike for the beach. Although they've been around a long time, they haven't always been available to our income bracket. Very "Inspector Gadget."

This may look like nothing but the sky was so perfect one day I snapped a picture of it.

Ken wasn't so eager to spend every day and night at the campground. 3 weeks was enough for him. He went home to catch a football game while I enjoyed the solitude and retreat time.

After a few more days at the beach, Ken and I were having supper and decided we needed to paint our house the colour of an eggplant. We ripped an eggplant out of an art magazine we had bought for a dollar, and Ken went home to paint the house!

For several nights I was all alone at the campground. Not one camper to be found! Kind of eerie. I was in the 5th wheel wondering if I should lock the door. I mean, no one is there. But if a bad guy came, I'd be the only one at his disposal. But if I locked it and had to go to the outhouse in the night, it might take too much time to unlock in the dark if I'm in a hurry! Oh, and do I leave the porch light on? For whom?

One evening alone (literally!) I cycled to the lake to watch the sunset. After it was over, and not anticipating the utter darkness, I made my way to my bike and managed to fall... SPLAT! on my face thanks to a gopher hole. Stung my wrist and hurt my foot, but I was okay. I was wondering what I would have done if I had sprained my ankle. No vehicle. I could call Ken but it would be 2 hours before getting back to a hospital in Regina. I quickly became grateful for being alright!

All kidding aside, I think my time during those few days of "seperate vacation" all alone at Rowan's Ravine Provincial Park were the best. I didn't realize how tired I was! I should have, since even earlier in June I had slept and slept and slept. I promised Ken I would stay up past 8:00 but by the time 7:45 rolled around, Ken would just look at his watch and say, "Wait for it..." and then, BLAM! Like a ton of bricks, I was hit with tiredness and off to bed I went. I was up with the birds, though!

I guess that's why I forced myself to capture the one sunset I stayed up for! All in all, it was the cheapest vacation--the trailer seasonal site was paid for by the Mission for all the staff to enjoy, we brought our own food (some from the Mission!) it was only a short drive away, and there was nothing to do but enjoy each other's company, read, rest, swim, lay on the beach, and bikeride. Yes, having a provincial park all to ourselves was an amazing treat. I hope to do it again next summer!

Larry wrote me a poem for National Boss' Day!

Thanks to you I no longer have as smelly of feet;
Thanks to you I no longer have to worry if I can eat;
Thanks to you my dishes automatically dry;
Thanks to you I get to be a greatful guy!
Have a Happy Bosses Day!!

Operation Christmas Stocking

OPERATION CHRISTMAS STOCKING 2007

Warm Christmas greetings from Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission! This year, as is our tradition, we are serving a holiday dinner with all the trimmings for hundreds of needy men, women, and children in our community as well as sending them home with a Christmas gift. For many of these people it will be the only gift they will receive. Through this, we will be able to bring a little holiday cheer into their lives and spread God’s love throughout our community. But we cannot do this on our own; we need your help! Our goal is to provide one thousand needy men, women and children with a pair of new socks and some useful items.

To participate in this project, just follow the simple instructions below:

1. Buy a pair of warm socks.
2. Stuff one sock inside the other.
3. Generously fill the rest of the space with useful items.

If at all possible, please make the adult socks unisex. If not, please label them man or woman. Children’s socks can be labelled separately.

Some ideas for stuffers:
¨ Toothbrush and toothpaste
¨ Hotel size soap, shampoo, lotion
¨ Washcloth, Kleenex, comb, lip balm
¨ Gum/Small candies
¨ Small sewing kit
¨ Small address book, pen and pad
¨ Postage stamps, movie passes, bus tickets
¨ Small cross
¨ Gift certificates to various fast food restaurants

Do not include:
¨ Articles that contain alcohol such as aftershave, mouthwash or perfume
¨ Certificates to places that sell alcohol
¨ Breakable items
¨ Medicine (Tylenol, cough drops, etc)
¨ Cosmetics
¨ Money

Socks can be dropped off at Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission, 3535 8th Ave. We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, no need to call. Please drop off socks on or before Monday, December 24th, 2007. If you have any questions please call Aaron Cross at 543-0011. Thanks in advance!

Sincerely,

Aaron Cross
Emergency Services Manager

Ladies Night

This loses it's Oomph without the graphics, but women, please save the date!

YOU ARE INVITED...

....To a "WARM" meeting...(Women's Auxillary Rescue Mission)....

WHY. .. Come out and meet new residents, staff, and fellow "WARM"
women and volunteers.

WHEN. ..Thursday Nov. 1st at 7p.m.

WHERE. ..Soul's Harbour Rescue Mission in..."Good News Chapel"...
Corner of Elphinstone and 8th Ave.

WHAT. ..For testimonies, service projects, and ministry.
Encouragement for staff and residents.

OFFERING. ..Tinfoil containers, foil and plastic wrap for the mission.

ANY QUESTIONS . ...Just call....Dianne Pahl - 543 - 0720
....Barb Straza - 522 - 0901

Go and make disciples, baptizing them...

Today is a special Sunday at our very own Good News Chapel. Our first baptism! Join us in about one hour to see the baptisms of:

Derrick--LifeChange Graduate who gave his testimony at the Love Your Neighbour Fund Raising Banquet

Suzette, and Aden--women on our LifeChange Program and attendees of Good News

Nadine--also a LifeChange student, whose street church is not offering baptisms at this time

Blake--LifeChange Alumni, cousin to our Womens Worker, Heather Achtimichuk

Service starts at 11:00 and you are more than welcome to join us for lunch!

$1000!!!

Kudos to Jon & Vicki for making the lead gift on our "Pay the last mortgage" campaign!

Hot meal and blankets warm hearts of the needy

Photo by Troy Fleece, Leader-Post


Hot meal and blankets warm hearts of the needy
Veronica Rhodes
Leader-Post

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

More than one hundred people were a little bit warmer for Thanksgiving this year, thanks to seven-year-old Hannah Olfert.

On Saturday, the petite girl with bright blonde hair stood outside the Good News Chapel with her parents and younger sister Kamri handing out donated blankets. Hannah's mother Jennifer said just over a month ago, after discussing what homeless people did to keep warm in the winter, her daughter asked if they could give some blankets to people in need.

After sending an e-mail to a couple friends and family asking for blanket donations, the message was forwarded on to many and about 100 blankets were received. After donating 20 blankets to the Salvation Army in their hometown of Estevan, the family travelled to Regina on Saturday to hand out the rest at the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission's annual Thanksgiving dinner.

"She asked that we do this again next year. I don't think this will be just a one time thing," said Jennifer.

While the Olfert family handed out blankets as people were leaving, about 80 volunteers seated and served the roughly 640 people who came for the annual dinner, held in the basement of the chapel.

"Everyone can use a nice hot meal on a rainy day," Michael Cassano, president of the Regina Multicultural Council and volunteer at the dinner, said as he directed people towards empty seats at the long tables.

For the past four years, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has partnered with Melrose Place North to provide the Thanksgiving meal to the poor and hungry in the community, with volunteer support coming from the council, the restaurant's staff, the mission's board and staff and numerous others from the community. Entertainment was provided by Canadian Idol finalist Matt Rapley, who performed in the chapel.

Michelle Porter, one of the founding directors of Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, expressed pride at how many people were helping out with the dinner in unexpectedly warm conditions after the boiler broke down earlier that morning.

"It is very surprising that so many people would do that ... That's 80 people who are choosing to have their dinner on a different day or perhaps this in lieu of their dinner. It's a gift for the poor, it really is," said Porter.

Each adult attending the dinner received a small pack of toiletries while children received a toy and a toothbrush. Porter said judging by the overwhelming response to the dinner, the community obviously appreciates it.

"If it didn't mean anything, they wouldn't come. So it obviously means that they need the meal (and) appreciate it. Nobody is eating and running ... They're staying, they're talking, they're laughing, they're getting signatures from Matt Rapley. It's fantastic," said Porter.

This year's meal consisted of baked rotini with alfredo sauce, homemade cream of mushroom soup, tossed salad with a bun and rice pudding for dessert. Melrose Place partners with Souls Harbour Rescue Mission to provide three meals throughout the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

"This is a way for us to give back to the community," said Melrose Place owner Chris Lygouriatis, between seatings for the meal.

Little Church on the Prairie

Our affectionate name for our property on

Montreal Street. Help pay off the mortgage!!

Dear Staff, Board, Volunteers, & Bloggers,

Well, what a great day this is that I can announce to you that in 3 short weeks Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission will be 100% debt free!

Some of you may not yet know, that, on October 1st, we paid off the Soup Kitchen and Cross Place transitional house mortgage of 150K!

Now, we have $21,261.01 left to pay off on our Montreal Street Chapel, and we have most of that money in our building fund already.

I went to ask Vicki and Jennifer if any building donations had come in that were not yet deposited. Nope.

“Have you asked people to help?” Vicki inquired.

Well, I hadn’t thought of that, but it is how we paid off our Campus mortgage about this time last year, so… here it goes!

The Challenge:

Do you have any money you could contribute to this cause within the next two weeks? We only need $5445.15 to reach our goal! The process takes about a week, so we would need your donation or pledge by Monday, October 19th.

What a wonderful way to celebrate the end of our first year as the brand new Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission. Completely debt free! Woo hoo!

Every little bit helps, so I am hoping for 100% participation, even at the very lowest amounts for those who are homemakers, or minimum wage earners, etc. If we all pitch in, we can do it!!

Thank you for your consideration!

Sincerely,

Michelle Porter
Chief Administrative Officer

PS. Please mark your gift clearly for the “Building Fund.”

Young Girl Captures Thanksgiving

Young Girl Captures Thanksgiving
News Talk 980

October 06, 2007

At a time when most children are thinking about halloween costumes and eating turkey, a 7 year old girl is capturing the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

Hannah Olfert from Estevan came up with an idea: collect blankets for people who live on the streets. With the help of family and friends, the Olfert family collected over one hundred blankets.

On Saturday, they dropped off their donation at Regina's Soul's Harbor Rescue Mission, during the annual Thanksgiving dinner.

Mother Jennifer Olfert was very proud of her daughter.

She says they will go home and begin their next mission, collecting mitts and toques.

Nigel Maxwell reporting