Mark found his way to our Christmas meal last year. He had 2 dollars to his name amd hadn’t eaten a decent meal in weeks, and didn’t even eat at all that day or the day before.
Mark was tired, hungry, with no energy left. He pretty much fell into the chair and put his head down. He was a broken man…
Without even saying a words I ran and got him a meal. A good hearty Christmas meal. He looked up. Obviously smelled the hot food and said in a raspy voice “thanks man”. I left him alone to eat and ran and got me a meal. I sat down across from him at the same table. He asked about our live in recovery program he heard from a friend. Said he would come to the Mission and sign up. He did do that not too long after.
During the next couple weeks we learned Mark was doing fine. He had a girfriend and they were expecting a child. She was at 9 months. Without notice she was killed by a drunk driver. The immediate loss and pain was way too much for him. He lost control and relapse into using drugs again.
“I decided to relocate from Phoenix but my addiction and depression overtook me and I got lost and became homeless. Somehow ended up in Utah.
The day I joined the Mission program it became a turning point. I learned the importance of fellowship, I learned good communication skills, and I learned patience. Most of all I forged a relatioship witj my now Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
When I graduate the program I want to pursue the internship and stay longer to help my dear brothers still in the program. They have helped give me a second chance too. I love them dearly.
God bless all who read this. I pray your Christmas is great!!!!
As we prepare for our special Christmas events, our daily operations are still ongoing – feeding and assisting Utah’s most vulnerable. Your support at this time will help keep our storage areas stocked with food as we prepare for our special events, keep our daily relief operations going, and assist the Mission as we bring the spirit of Christmas joy – hope realized – to many who are feeling frustrated and battling against all odds. The hungry, homeless, and families in need.
Your support will also go to fund our special events we have this month.
Our annual “Christmas Food Box Giveaway”. A special annual event open to anyone who is food insecure and families having a hard time making ends meet this Christmas. Our “Christmas Food Box Giveaway” will be providing special holiday food boxes with everything to prepare a Christmas meal at home. A financial life saver for those who really can’t spare the extra cost for a special Christmas meal with their family.
As you sit down this year to enjoy a Christmas meal with family and friends, you can rejoice that you also helped provide the same for those who are living disadvantaged lives right here in Utah.
On Christmas Day we are hosting our annual “Greatest Christmas Ever” meal that provides a festive day of food and fellowship to our unsheltered and homeless residents, families living in shelters, as well as others who have nowhere else to go, or nobody to spend the Christmas with. We will serve a delicious Christmas meal with all the trimmings.
Your role is one of great importance! It takes a lot of resources and food to get us through the holidays. Your support is such a blessing in our mission as a front line service provider right here in Utah. We count on every bit of support through financial contributions and community partnerships to keep our food storage areas full and the opportunity to help others moving forward unhindered throughout the Christmas season.
And it is more than just a meal we provide. We will offer so much more to those who are in need of food. We offer additional help and relief to head into a more positive life experience.
So with everyone we assist this Christmas, for everyone we provide food for, let us create a wonderful experience at every opportunity, watching each one’s smile express – “My heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my body also dwells secure.” – Psalm 16:9.
So as we begin this month in celebration of the Christmas season, join us in representing “The reason for the season” by showing the “caring love” of the one who was born into this world to show others the goodness and caring sympathy OF OUR GREAT GOD.
Thank you for considering how you can help so we can positively impact others together. We hold you dear in our hearts and pray for you to enjoy “THE GREATEST CHRISTMAS EVER!”.
God bless you!
Pastor Wayne Wilson, CEO
