A Word From the Executive Director

A Safe Place Takes Getting Used To

1/26/2010

In the last Rescuer, I wrote about our family’s move. About that same time, we added another member to the family: one-year-old puppy, Mollie. My son brought her to our home because no one wanted her.

Because of neglect and mistreatment, she was afraid of everything, especially people.

We are doing our best to work with her, and I must admit, I get frustrated with her very slow and minimal progress. Recently, during one particularly trying incident when it took 20 minutes for her to come close enough to take a treat from my hand, I thought how much she is like the hurting men and women we are helping at the Mission. 

Many who come to the Mission for help are “scared to death” due to their past experiences of abuse and disrespect, often by those who were supposed to love them the most. Some have tried to reach out to others who ignored them or couldn’t deal with the tough stuff they’d endured. As the days and months pass in our Life Recovery Program, it’s a blessing to see the fear fade and trust take its place. Can you imagine how hard it would be to believe that you are actually in a safe place with people who genuinely care, when it’s been years or decades (perhaps never) since that has been true for you? We do our best to meet each person where they need us most. When they leave nine to 12 months later, it’s amazing to see the transformation.

I wonder how Mollie will be after a year with us.  I like to think that she will be a happy, confident dog who has responded to love and care … not unlike the people at the Mission whose lives change through the love of God and the care of so many. 

We are blessed that God trusts us with this “mission” because no one is beyond  hope. Your gifts of support make it possible to rescue, recover and restore lives!

P.S.  I would love to have you join me on the fourth Wednesday of any month for lunch and a tour of the Mission so you can get a first-hand look at how God is working here.  Our next tour is Wednesday, February 24, 2010.  Call (815) 965-5332 ext. 102 for more information or to sign-up.

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