Steve's Story
Steve Proctor was one of the first guests to stay in the Curtis Center. Originally from Texas, Steve worked in the oil industry for over 30 years and owned a janitorial business. After the death of his son, along with several other family incidents, Steve turned to alcohol and lost his business. He has been to different missions throughout the country and first stayed in People's City Mission's emergency shelter. Steve started on our vocational pathway and has worked very hard on his recovery pathway. He was elected to the Curtis Center Council — a group of 5 men working together to better the center through weekly meetings and voting sessions. Steve was a very hard worker and took great pride in keeping the facility clean. He not only worked for the Mission, but also worked part-time at the U-Stop. When the U-Stop offered him a full-time job, he took it. He has now left the Curtis Center to live on his own. Steve Proctor is transitioning out of homelessness and back into the community. He is truly a Curtis Center success story and the People's City Mission is so proud of him.

Ed's Story
Ed is an unusual man. Educated, experienced and resourceful, Ed has lived through the highs and the lows of life. Though homeless himself, he is able to reach out to others with God's help and says, "I thank God each and every day for His blessings, for with God I know my life has meaning and
purpose. I am nothing without God's help."

Ed's story begins on a farm in York County, NE. As the oldest of four children, he was raised on hard work and with high expectations. His graduate degree in Agronomy led to a career developing and producing seed corn for farmers throughout the world. Ed was a rising star who was particularly happy when training new college graduates in the seed corn business. However, his world was shattered when a co-worker committed suicide on the job. He realized that the stresses of the job were affecting him profoundly. So, Ed changed directions and became an Extension Educator.

Ed put his heart into his work. He spent long days working with agricultural organizations and 4H youth. Again, he excelled. One year from achieving tenure, Ed lost his job when the state experienced economic challenges. Ed returned to the land, this time working to install and repair irrigation pivots. The work was demanding. Ed was at a low point and looking for guidance in Scripture. Finally, burned out from life's stresses, Ed came to the People's City Mission. His family didn't even know where he was. Ed needed time alone to heal his soul.

While staying with us, Ed took classes in computer skills at Lincoln Action Program. As he researched agricultural issues on the internet, Ed turned his attention to fossil fuels and their impact on Nebraska. He co-founded the Nebraska Renewable Energy Association, a group that is helping to educate and create awareness of new alternative energy opportunities.

At the Mission, Ed was able to totally reassess his life. Although agriculture, energy and the land remained as dominant life interests, Ed also focused on spirituality, helping others and gaining insight into his own capabilities and inner resources. Upon leaving the Mission, Ed bought an old Ford station wagon and, with God's help, used it for his home for the winter, testing his endurance and survival capabilities. Even as he observed others avoiding him as a homeless person, he took a graduate level agronomy course at UNL: Urbanization of the Rural Landscape. (And did well!)

As Ed tested his inner resources, he came to understand there were times when he didn't love himself. Understanding God's love restored his sense of self worth. He put together a collection of part-time jobs and rented an apartment. In 2007, Ed was able to help an alcoholic friend get treatment and put his life in order. Watching God transform his friend Jeff's life and helping Jeff with the difficult challenges of sobriety gave Ed's live new and significant meaning. But once again, God called Ed into the desert. Hernia surgery interrupted his part time employment and his housing. Ed returned to the Mission.

Ed currently has nothing of importance in worldly possessions. Yet he has confidence in God's love and knows that God has a purpose for his life. "We are all brothers on this earth. I am nothing without God's help." Day by day, Ed moves forward to discover God's plan for the rest of his life.

Chris's Story of Transformation
Chris* had frequented the Mission for over a year, been kicked out at least five times for fighting and was known for his aggressive behavior. Addicted to crack and alcohol, he lived on the streets for several years. Even though he didn't get along with staff, he kept coming back to the Mission for food and shelter.

Chris especially disliked one particular staff member, James*, but James didn't let this stop him from reaching out. One day, James invited a group of the men to go bowling. Reluctantly, Chris decided to join since other H.I.S. Center guests would also be attending. To Chris's dismay, the other men didn't show up but James insisted that they still go bowling. This one-on-one time allowed James to share the gospel and invite Chris to church.

At church one Sunday, Chris heard that Jesus loved him. "How could Jesus love him?" he thought. But something inside Chris changed, and the tears came when he realized that he was a child of God.

For over a month now, Chris has chosen to stay clean from drugs and alcohol. He's constantly studying his Bible and asking staff questions about faith. Instead of fighting, Chris has shared the gospel with fellow guests. He's even trying to reestablish a connection with his daughter to become the father that he knows he needs to be.

God has become something real to Chris - not just a name or a word, but a living being in his life. Harmful behaviors and beliefs that were entrenched in Chris's personality are gone. The transformation of this life is truly a miracle.

*Names have been changed

Betty's Gift of Love
At Easter, Christmas, and other times of year, Betty Meyer sews dresses for the little girls at the Mission. She was here last week bringing more than ten little dresses in various sizes, each on its own little hanger.

'Those of us who sew marvel at Betty's craftsmanship! The faces of our mothers and little girls light up with joy as they select and try on Betty's dresses.

The little girls who wear Betty's dresses have never seen or met Betty. However, we all know Betty ... we know her by her love!

Thank you Betty for the beautiful, hand-made dresses!

Jan and AJ Lambert
This is a story of success. Success which was taught and shown to us, by God for the path to take success — brought to reality by the teachings and guidance of The People's City Mission. A little background history: the path that AJ and I were traveling was the road to destruction and inevitable death. We both were, what society considered, (and we, ourselves, considered,) chronic and career cocaine addicts. Years of our lives, over 20 years for each of us, was spent in the grip of addiction. We both exhausted numerous occasions in treatment centers, counseling and various other means to attempt to conquer our addictions. We both experienced the loss of our families; I experienced the loss of custody of my children.

AJ and I arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska from Minnesota on the run. I had become a confidential informer for the police department in the city in which we lived in order to get money to buy more drugs for us. We found ourselves in a life threatening situation with drug dealers and their posses. We spent several weeks sleeping in our car at the Wahoo rest area. We were still using cocaine then, and AJ worked minimally through Labor Ready to get enough money for us to purchase cocaine. We ate one meal a day at the Matt Talbot Center. Life was existence and miserable.

Be it known that AJ and I both come from upper to middle class families. We were raised believing that Jesus is Salvation; we knew right from wrong — but we were caught in the devil's snare. One day, a homeless person, not unlike ourselves, told us about The People's City Mission. We, in desperation, wanting to find a way out of our addictions and make a good life for ourselves, found ourselves at the doorway to what we call God's House. The mission took us in without question, without condemnation, without judgment. They did what the Bible tells us — God will take care of our needs, not our wants. We were fed, given fresh sheets and beds to lie down in and sleep; showers and necessities to bathe — a real roof over our heads. Most importantly, we were given an avenue, a doorway to find the Lord again. The Word says that all we need to do is to knock and the door will be opened. We knocked, with our whole hearts, we knocked; and giving glory to the Lord above, He gave us His Grace.

We spent several months, struggling, fighting, sometimes screaming and crying to stop using the cocaine and all the while, the Mission held our hands, prayed for us, talked with us, guided us and supported us. The demons continued to onslaught us, "maybe just this one more time"; "things are better, you can handle it now" were common thoughts through our minds. AJ and I bought an old camper after several months. The Mission allowed us to park it on their property and still have the amenities they could provide us. We attended church services at every opportunity. Our faith grew stronger. We began to fully participate in the services; I played the piano in church every Sunday. We were allowed to take the time we needed for our souls to heal; to fill the black voids inside our hearts, to be filled with God's love.

The Lord took His place in our hearts and kept us safe. Through the instructions, teachings, guidance from people employed at the Mission, AJ and I have been clean and sober for almost five years now. AJ works with his brother in a specialized construction business. I work for an engineering firm. We have a two-bedroom town home in Bloomington, Minnesota. I attend college working toward my Bachelor of Science in Business and Administration with a grade point of 3.67.

Certainly, we have life struggles, but today, with the foundation taught and given to us by the Mission, we have learned the coping skills in order to get through the trials. Self-medication is not an option for us anymore. Without the love given to us by all of the people at the Mission, we, AJ and I, do not believe we would be alive today. Our addictions were on final approach. The People's City Mission turned our lives around, God turned our paths, we have a testimony — we need to share this testimony. Without the Mission, we would be lost. We are alive; God is alive in our lives and hearts. Gratitude cannot be expressed.

Carry Amend
Carry is the Guest of the Month for June 2008. The Mission has helped Carry twice.

In January 2004 Carry graduated from our Women's Program. She was successful in working and caring for her son for four years. Carry was employed at our Service Center. She ended that employment to care for her sister's children while her sister was stationed in Iraq for 15 months. She continued as nanny for her sister's children when she returned to Nebraska.

However, when Carry's sister moved to Washington, D.C., Carry was unable to find other work due to her son's behavior problems. He was too difficult for regular day care. Carry came back to us for assistance.

While staying with us Carry was able to have her son diagnosed. He will soon be enrolled in day treatment for Oppositional Defiant Disorder. When he completes treatment, he will be transitioned to kindergarten.

Carry is looking forward to working full time. Until then, she works part-time jobs whenever possible, mostly cleaning. Carry is recognized as Guest of the Month for her work toward regaining independent living, for her positive attitude and her general helpfulness in our community.

Our prayers are with Carry and her son as they begin treatment for ODD.

July 10 update: Carry's son has started treatment and is doing very well.

Erin

Click here for a larger version. (pdf)

Edyie
Edyie and her husband Dan were evicted from their apartment in March and were homeless. They came to the Mission. Edyie had been working as a dishwasher in a local restaurant, but when business declined she was terminated. She was unable to find another job. One hurdle to employment was Edyie's appearance. Her front teeth were badly decayed and were starting to chip and break. She was self-conscious and had constant dental pain.

Affordable Dentures volunteered their services to help Edyie. After 12 extractions, she was fitted with three partial plates. Although she is still recovering, her smile says it all! Edyie is opening a new chapter in her life. She would like to enroll in school and believes that with her new front teeth, more positions will be available to her.

Dan, an experienced machinist, is looking for work. His dream employer is Kawasaki. Our thoughts and prayers are with Edyie and Dan as they work to get back on their feet.

Tammy
Update: Tammy starts her new job as a truck driver May 20th! Tammy has been at the Mission twice. The first time, five years ago, she met her husband here! They have been married for three years. In 2007, Tammy qualified as a commercial truck driver and found a job in Kansas. Her husband rode with her, acting as her navigator. Everything was going fine.

Then Tammy got a call that her son from a previous marriage had been hit by a car. She quit her job in Kansas and came to Lincoln, where her son is living with his father. Tammy and her husband are back at the Mission for the second time.

Tammy is looking for work as a commercial truck driver. While driving in Kansas, she had no accidents, no legal violations, and no tickets during her six month employment. She has a Nebraska CDL with all of the endorsements. Tammy's husband is a hard worker. He is constantly volunteering to do jobs around the Mission. We are confident that Tammy will find a job and that she and her husband will move out of the Mission very soon.

Deb
Deb was born in 1979 with a birth defect called Spina Bifida. Deb's spinal cord was incompletely formed. When she was two days old, she had surgery to close her spinal cord, but she was left with life-long disabilities. She has partial paralysis below the waist and diminished sensation below the knees. Deb needs leg braces, from waist to toes, in order to walk. Throughout her life, she has been called "stupid" or "lazy" and has suffered from self esteem issues. Deb now lives on Social Security Disability, but was recently evicted when her move to a new apartment caused a delay in receiving her check. She came to the Mission in a wheelchair.

Deb has not has leg braces for the past five years. Arthritis in her knees and various medical problems have sapped her strength and made it difficult to walk. However, at the Mission, Deb's future is changing. Deb has been going to daily devotions, called the Filling Station, and is supported by the prayers and friendship of the staff and guests. Deb reports that folks at the Mission respond to her very positively, often offering help even before she asks! Deb has decided to try leg braces again. She wants to start physical therapy to strengthen her muscles.

Our prayers are with Deb as she takes on the challenge of walking. We are all dedicated to helping her succeed.

Chris
Chris tells his story through this poem that he wrote. It is printed and framed in the Curtis Center.

Alive Today Thanks to our Free Clinic
It's a true story.

Jeanine had been having a hard time breathing and couldn't walk short distances without fatigue. Her legs were swollen. As a teacher unable to afford medical coverage due to providing for the needs of her immediate and extended family, she thought about going to see a doctor but had been turned away in the past due to her lack of medical coverage.

Jeanine's sister recommended that she call our PCM Free Medical Clinic; so on December 11th, Jeanine did call and describe her symptoms to one of our nurses. She was advised to come in right away and after being examined, was sent directly to the hospital for tests. Clinic staff helped get her admitted into a local hospital as a hardship case. Tests revealed that Jeanine had pulmonary heart failure, extremely high blood pressure, and previously undiagnosed diabetes. She spent 5 days in the hospital and was told that if she had not come in she would have died.

Upon discharge from the hospital, staff at PCM Free Medical Clinic were contacted to see if we would provide her after-care. Of course we are and will continue to.

Jeanine shared with us that she received very good care at the clinic. The staff was warm and made her feel like she was important. She attributes the clinic to her still being alive.

"Thank God for you guys," said Jeanine. "I can go to you guys when I'm not feeling well. I'm not worried now because I know there's a place I can go. There are a lot of people like me out there that need to go to the doctor but don't know where to go."

Jeanine wants to get the word out, and so do we. You can visit the clinic page to find out more about contributing, volunteering or receiving care.