Stories of Real Life Change

Seattle First Presbyterian Church

Shelter Log

for Wednesday, December 8, 2010 

There were streams of life and energy flowing in the Shelter tonight. 

 For weeks, five Sunday School boys have been asking in worship for people to donate socks for the Shelter men.  People brought a lot of socks.  Tonight at dinner, Pastor Ellen and Joy Orona (the behind-the-scenes organizers of the project) brought these boys – aged five to eight – to the Shelter and guided them as they gathered up armloads of socks and went around to the dinner tables giving socks to our men and saying hello to them.  I can imagine the boys felt a little vulnerable approaching the men, some of whom look pretty street-worn, but they mustered their courage and the men were very gentle with them.  Bonnie said she saw one very old native man just stare at the gift he was offered for perhaps a minute before taking the socks, as though he was deeply touched by what these young boys were doing.  She commented later that these interactions between the young boys and our homeless men would never happen on the streets of Seattle – it would be too scary – but in the safety and protection of the Shelter environment – in God’s house – it could happen with a wonderful rightness about it.  I can picture a very big smile on God’s face – this God of ours who seems to want connections to happen between very different kinds of people, and to draw us all into the new family of Jesus that the Kingdom is all about.  

Another part of the river of life tonight happened when Lynn Magnuson – the Area Director of Church World Service, which has given us hundreds of blankets over the years for our men – came hoping to get some photos of our men using the CWS blankets.  No timid stranger to homeless folks, she got James (our Supervisor) to pull together some of the men before dinner and, very playfully, she got them to wrap themselves in the CWS blankets in various poses and postures – some fairly funny – for her camera.  God, I’m sure, was smiling as they played. 

Part of the river of life tonight flowed through our laundry room, which on Shelter nights has become the New Life Clinic where Rachel and her little team of volunteer nurses and friends wash the feet of our men, dress their wounds, take their blood pressure, measure their blood sugar, and talk with them about their problems.  I got to hang around the Clinic for awhile tonight (because I needed some photos for a special offering to support the Clinic) and was moved by how vulnerable the men were about needing care and how caring and comfortable the nurses were with our men. 

Of course, there are the other little streams of life and energy that happen pretty regularly at Shelter – the team energy of the food prep folks, the volunteers who come to share a meal and conversation with our guys, praying with them when it’s right, the way Jan helps men find the right clothes in her clothes closet, Kevin’s running the movie room, and the experience of belonging and bonding that always seems to happen in the Men’s Circle.  More smiles in Heaven, I think.  

One very life-giving streamlet happened in private tonight.  Weeks ago, a mentally unstable man had started screaming at everyone in the hall that God would punish us for welcoming gay people into the Shelter community.  He came back tonight, asking with an unusual humility to be allowed back in.   When one gay man saw him, he said to me, understandably, that he felt very uncomfortable about this man’s presence.  I sat with the man and asked him if he believed what he had said, that God gets angry when we welcome people who are gay.  He said, “No, I don’t believe that.  I was off my meds during that period of time and I’ve heard about several crazy things I did.  I want to apologize for hurting whoever I hurt.”  I accepted his apology and suggested that it would bring delight to the heart of God if he went to the gay man who had told me about his discomfort and make amends with him.  The man took a deep breath and said he would do that.  Both men joined us in the team prayer circle before dinner and afterwards I watched as the two of them sat down together and talked for a long time, ending with them smiling at each other.  I smiled too, feeling very blessed to witness the Spirit doing what the Spirit does. 

 “… streams of living water shall flow …”   (John 7:38, NIV)

Neil Lampi, member of Seattle First, offers this thank-you note for the tithes and offerings that financially support our shelter ministry. Stay tuned for more thank-you notes and information on making your financial pledge for 2011.

What does your offering do?  What happens to what you give?  As we all continue to pray about and reflect on our financial commitment for 2011, we will be receiving thank-you notes from those who want to express gratitude for something made possible by tithes and offerings to the ministry of SFPC in 2010.  What Winston Churchill said is true, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”  And that’s not just our own life.

 FROM NEAL LAMPI (SFPC member, Shelter Coordinator):

I paged through some past shelter logs in preparation for today’s expression of gratitude.

I found many inspiring stories from the Men’s circle, which is what brought me here to S.F.P.C. 

“Often one can feel the presence of the Holy Ghost, heavy in the air, as men share the depth of their pain or joy.  The invitation for God to reveal himself as we still ourselves and unpack some of our lives in check-in never seems to fail.  Many men have come to see circle as a vital part of their recovery from, addictions, depression, anxiety, and loneliness.    

Often men too troubled to contribute much nonetheless find a place in circle.  Personally I have a chance to pull back the veil of trivial pursuit, as well as my feeble attempts to appear to have it all together, recognizing the importance and centrality of God in my life.”

 There is more to this Shelter than the circle, there are the ladies from Bellevue Foursquare who offer a listening presence, our nursing team who soothe wounds, and touch men’s hearts hardened by the bitter alienating brutality of the streets. 

Jan Baugh offers the men a new look and a needed sweater or coat, sizing them up for a good fit, doing her best to prevent fashion calamities.  Keith vacuums, steams, and washes all of the sheets, and Bonnie hovers like the Matriarch of the Shelter she surely is. 

To everyone who has made this possible, we say a huge thanks. Your faith in the unseen has materialized as hospitality extended, in much the same way we all depend on God’s grace.  From each and every one of us to each and every one of you, we say, thanks, and may God Bless you!

Chris Ijiomah (SFPC Member)

My name is Chris Ijiomah.  My husband Daniel and I have been coming to SFPC for a couple of years now.  We were so excited when Jill Vanderwal started the Community Play Space for toddlers on Wednesdays.  Being a first-time parent, and the first parent among many of our friends, it can be difficult to find opportunities for Olivia to interact with other toddlers.  Play Space provides a nurturing environment for Olivia to make friends and learn social interactions – like how to share the goldfish at snack time.  Halloween dress-up parties, pumpkin patch outings and crafts are just a few of the activities we have been able to participate in.   Play space has also become a meeting ground for parents to talk about day-to-day life with a toddler, be it good days or struggles.  Thank you so much to everyone who has given to help financially support Play Space. (That is everyone who has given in 2010 to God through the ministry of SFPC.) Thank you also to Jill for taking the time to develop Play Space and create fun activities for the group.  Her warm and friendly personality welcomes newcomers, helping parents form relationships within the community.  With Jill’s hard work and perseverance, I have watched Play Space grow from a few kids to a full house.  We feel truly blessed to be able to partake in this wonderful experience.  Thank you again for helping to make it happen.

Mandel Medina (SFPC Member)

Good morning. I would like to talk to you briefly this morning about how the fact that Seattle First Presbyterian Church is here helped me in a time of great need.  You people, this family of believers.  I’m a Union Carpenter.  On Sept. 15th, 2008, I was layed off due to the economy.  I got by for a year or so.  Eventually, I was losing the battle of keeping up with my finances and taking care of my little girl, Lacy.  At this time, I was taking as many side jobs as possible, and using up all my savings to pay my bills. 

I kept faithfully tithing during this time, and staying active here at the church with work parties and helping with events.  But the smile on my face was a facade that hid how I was doing. One Saturday during a work party here at the church,  I received a phone call from a contractor I previously worked for.  I was expecting a paycheck.  My bills, rent, utilities and insurance, were all past due accruing late charges.  I was completely stressed, and counting on this paycheck.  He told me that he didn’t have the money, and it would be several weeks before he could pay me.  During our heated phone conversation, a friend came out to invite me to lunch. My reaction to him was less than kind. The importance of this paycheck was critical.  After that day’s work party, I went home and dropped to my knees and cried out, ” Lord Father, I need your help.  I need to know you are here.”  I had no more facade left in me.  I had hurt a dear friend and severed a friendship earlier that day.  I said, “Lord, I am not myself anymore.  I am a man lost in worry, and pain. Lord, where are you?”  With my face buried in the carpet and my voice gone from crying out, I was an exhausted, broken, puddle of a man left on the living room floor. 

Minutes later, the phone rang.  Reluctantly, I answered.  It was Pastor Jeff calling to thank me for helping at the work party.  Immediately he sensed the strain in my voice.  Concerned, he asked me what was wrong.  I filled him in on my financial situation.  Pastor Jeff said, “Let’s pray that you get some physical and mental rest tonight.”  After we prayed, I thanked God and Pastor Jeff.  He ended by saying,” Come by the Church Monday, and bring your bills.”  Sunday I was scheduled to greet.  I went to Church and greeted everyone with hugs, smiles and handshakes. After service, Ron Reese gave me food from the pantry.  When I went home and unpacked the canned goods and various groceries.  As I put them away, I realized I was smiling, and for the first time in a long while, I wasn’t wearing a masked smile.  I felt the Holy Spirit rush over me, and knew that God had been with me.  I had no worries that Monday was going to work out just fine.  Monday, I met with Pastor Jeff.  Bills in hand, we made a plan.  He explained what the Deacon Benevolence Fund was and why it is there. 

My bills were paid because of the people like YOU!  I made it through a very, very hard time in my life.  Now, I can proudly help others with my donations, my pledge, and certainly my heart.  I thank you all.  I look forward to being a part of Seattle First Pres. and our future together. 

        Sincerely,

    Mandel Medina

 Joy Orona told this story of real life change in worship, Sunday June 13, 2010.

All my life, my given name, “Gretchen,” has been hard for me.  As a child when I was in trouble I would never hear the lecture my parents were giving; I would just pray they wouldn’t say “Gretchen” out loud because just saying it made them angrier.  It was like a dirty word.  As a teenager, I often had panic attacks, but didn’t know that that is what they were.  To my family, this was just who I was—the stressed out kid who freaked out at others when she snapped.  Thus the term “pulling a Gretchen” became a standard part of my family’s vocabulary.  As I named my own son, my mom confessed that she had never wanted “Gretchen” to be my name, but that it was a mis-communication between her and my dad and he named me when she was asleep.  Since becoming an adult, I have struggled to not have these panic attacks define me, but even in my own mind, “Gretchen” would always be the one who caused stress in others’ lives when it poured over into her own.

In February, a little thought popped into my head (Jesus giving me a nudge) “What if I had another name?  Then could I be free?”  A few days later, the same thing, and I let it go again.  But the following week I was watching a video with my husband, Nathan, where the speaker talked a bit about how important names are to God—both His own names depending on the situation, and humans’ names as their lives changed.  This time I was gripped by the idea, and asked Nathan to pause the movie while I told him this crazy idea.  I was a little nervous when he took a while to respond, so I nudged him, and he looked straight at me and said, “It makes perfect sense.”

Now I knew I wanted to do it—to change my name—but how would I choose it?  I thought through those in scripture whose names were changed: Abram to Abraham, a promise to not just become a father, but a father of nations; Saul to Paul, from a borrowed identity to restoration and humility; Simon to Peter, a foreshadowing of the rock he would become.

I have been blessed to be a guinea pig for our church’s training on Prayer Healing the past 6 months or so, and when I next met with the prayer team, I mentioned my decision to go ahead with the change, but still not knowing what name I wanted.  Frecia’s (the instructor’s) response?  “Well, just ask Jesus, then.  See what He wants your name to be.”  Simple.  We went to prayer and I just asked Jesus.  And with all clarity, He spoke saying “I want you to have JOY, Gretchen.  I want your life to be overflowing with joy, and I want you to allow yourself to experience joy.  You have seen through your healing prayer sessions the past couple months how you have been afraid to accept the joy I have for you, as though you don’t believe you deserve it.  I want you to see the joy you are beginning to experience is just a piece of what I have in store for you.”

And I looked up at the team, knowing that my name was now “Joy.”  Not because I am all giggles and peace yet, but because this is the Lord’s promise to me that it is what He is doing in me every day and who I am becoming.

Epilogue:

Many people have asked how my parents have responded to this.  My mom lost a battle with cancer a few years ago, but I have a hunch that she’s excited about the new name.  I waited to do the legal piece of the change until I could share in person with my dad.  He was empathetic and compassionate, and though it is hard for a father to have a child give up the name he gave her, he gave me his blessing with tenderness and understanding.  People around me regularly who have known me for years can see the difference in me (even my Mother-in-Law!), and people who have known me for a short while say it is almost a relief that my name is now “Joy”, because “Gretchen” never fit the person they know!

I do have one dear family member for whom this name change has been the last straw.  They have not had the chance to see the difference and freedom in me, and still see me as the one “pulling a Gretchen.”  I sometimes think of it as the thorn in my side that I have lost this precious relationship, but even through the tears, I can see that God has given me this regular reminder of how completely I have been transformed.  And every time someone calls me “Joy,” I smile and know the Lord is reminding me to live into this new identity.