Hero Quest Chapter 3 Part 4

After an hour or so of prayer John went and made breakfast and got Corrina’s coffee going.  Dread filled him as he considered the words of Jesus.  “What am I doing?  I should take a sick day,” he thought to himself.  Then he shook his head.  He would face the challenge, whatever it might be.  He decided that he would learn whatever lesson God had for him and move on.  He also realized that he would not be able to exercise today.  That extra hour of sleep had wiped out that possibility.  He felt a twinge of guilt. But he also knew just like this fear was not from God, neither was this guilt. 

He would face the challenge.  He would not give up, he would not surrender.  The pep talk going in his head resounded with words from hundreds of inspiring books and movies.  He would not back down from a challenge, whether he could see what the challenge was or not.  John Hero would not hide out at home.  He would overcome his anxiety.  He would get to work and face his enemy.

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            All the kids knew is that they were hungry, and all of the adults in the place didn’t seem to notice them.  Michelle, the oldest at four, took the lead.  Quietly, Michelle showed her little brother and sister to the kitchen.  Michelle searched each cabinet carefully hoping that they would not creak.  She remembered once being beaten for waking her mom up and she was determined not to make that mistake again.  Michelle thought carefully as she examined each box.  How she wished that she was able to read.  All of these boxes looked alike.  Certainly one of these would have food in them.  Methodically she pulled out a bag with cereal in it.  She opened it and gave some to little Anton, age two.  His eyes brightened with the taste of food.  Handful after handful went into the bag, and then into his mouth.  It had been a long couple of days for him.  Susie, who had just turned three, looked at the bag and saw a bug crawling among the oat cereal and screamed. 

Footsteps pounded from around the house.  The kids were caught up in an angry swirl, and the cereal bag was ripped from Anton’s hand.  A moment later all three kids, with blustery, swollen, tear-filled eyes, found themselves in a basement bedroom.  The dirty laundry all around them was the only furniture.  Michelle was silent as she heard the door lock at the top of the stairs.  Darkness filled most of the room.  When all was again quiet, Michelle comforted her siblings as a good mother would.

Real Life at the Shelter July 16-22 2012

Weekly highlights

Monday July 16:  Seven of our ladies experienced their first day at work this morning and all came back very excited.   One of our guests, who a few weeks ago had shown herself to be unsafe for regular shelter and had been utilizing our phase II, (Bed from 5pm-8am, dinner, breakfast, evening small groups, ladies here take things with them when they leave)   found housing and was very grateful for the experience of staying with us.         

Tuesday July 17:  One of our guests became suicidal.  911 was called.  When the fire truck arrived (Spokane always sends a fire truck with ambulances)  she panicked and took off down the street.  Later it was confirmed that the fire department had found her and treated her.  It turns out that this guest had escaped from the mental hospital so she is now back where she can get some help.   

Wednesday July 18:   One of our overflow guests (mattress on the floor from 10pm-6 am) was working hard to go around the few rules that we have for that program.  She was put on that list as well.  One of our guests went to court over the phone at the shelter today.  Wow modern technology is amazing!

Thursday July 19:   Thursday was an emotional night as several of the ladies examined their hearts and entered into deep conversations with staff and volunteers.   

Friday July 20:   The trafficking victim that we had worked with several weeks ago stopped by to say hello and let us know that she is doing ok.   

Weekend:   Lots of little dramas in each of the rooms.  Many tensions among the ladies.

General comments:  This week we will complete transitioning the staff.  We now have a full staff to include a part time employee (Kathleen) will work Monday – Friday from 10 pm-2am nightly to train our guest assistants.   

    

Current Crisis Shelter Purpose Statement:

 The Crisis Shelter for Women and Children exists to increase the impact of our ministries of rescue, recovery and restoration by partnering with staff, volunteers and donors.  We will do this by meeting basic needs in a safe, clean, temporary shelter, with instruction and guidance for life transformation in a healing environment.

My personal progress July 15-21, 2012

	Target	Actually Done
Leadership Bible	Be on page 1015 (5 pg a day)	On page 1016
Faith in Action Bible	Be on page 1674 (6 pg a day)	On page 1676
Message Read Through	7 Days youversion program	On track
Scripture memory	40 passages by July 31	30
Running	35 miles a week	18
Running 2012 Overall	1212 miles by 12/12/12	487
Crunches	1000 a week	1000
Floss	7 times a week	7 Days
Face Cleaning/Lotions	7 times a week	7
I Like Book	7 times a week	7
Modules	2 a week	3
Social Events	3 a quarter	2
Guy Time	10 X a quarter	3
Self Exam	3 a week	3
Book Reading	1 Book a week	2
Evening Prayer Meeting	26 times a year	13
Paid Speaking	3 a quarter	0
Date with Cara	3 a quarter	2
Date with Rachel	1 a quarter	0

I wake up this week remembering that I am a solider at heart.  God has called me to be part of a great mission and I love it.  Even when I fall short (like in running miles this week) I am a son of the King of Kings and He has called me to fight along side of Him.  I am not to fight in front of Him or behind Him but instead right beside Him.  As the Scripture says, "Make the most of you time for the days are evil."  I will take advantage of every moment to love, to connect, to learn, to grow and to get healthy.  My passion is growing again.  Look for some changes and additions in the days to come as a result.
I read two books this week.  One was about the great warrior Hannibal.  It reminded me of many of the things that I must do as a  leader.  It gave me cautions about getting to comfortable and lax.  Again the days are evil, I must be about my Father's business.  I must be actively resting in the presence of the Lord, discovering where He is working and go do that.  I must have a Kingdom vision and pursue it despite all risks and despite all nay saying.  The future belongs to the King.

Hero Quest Chapter 3 Part 3

Remember if you want to read the final published version.  Buy Hero Quest. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hero-quest-rich-schaus/1111489091?ean=9781462680610  1/4 of all royalties go to help the homeless

            It was amazing how quickly the police arrived.  The woman had glared at the guest assistants as the policeman grabbed her.  She swung away from him, kicked him in the shins.  His partner then slammed her against the fence and pulled her arm behind her.  In a flash she was on the ground with her arms firmly handcuffed behind her.  With a jerk the officers pulled her up and deposited her in the police car.  With a nod they looked at the guest assistants and took the trouble away.  They resumed their duties as if nothing had happened but inside they were both trembling at what they had just witnessed.

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            When his watched beeped at 5:00 in the morning, John looked at the watch and growled.  Half awake he reset it to give him another hour of sleep.  I’m going to have to postpone our meeting, Jesus.  I hope you don’t mind.  It was a long night.  John closed his eyes and quickly fell back to sleep.  An hour later he again heard the alarm and got up this time.  It was time to get going.  The blankets were warm and the room felt cold.  John felt safe in the blankets.  He felt fear but could not explain what was going on.  “Come on, John, get going,” he told himself.  After a prolonged debate he got to his feet and got ready for the day. 

He sat in his recliner and invited Jesus to join him.  Sorry I’m late today.  I was tired and needed some sleep.  Thanks for that hour.  I slept pretty well.

You’re welcome and don’t worry about being late.  You are only late in your schedule.  The truth is that you are right on time in my book.  You will need that rest.  Trouble is brewing. 

John wanted to ask what He meant by that; however fear held him back.  Besides he figured the knowledge that it was coming was enough for him.  “You’ll be with me right?”

“Of course!  But you will need to remember to trust in Me through the whole thing.  For a time during this you will not see me.  But I am here.”  With that, Jesus was gone.

John opened up his Bible and began to read.  Each passage seemed a warning to trust in God.  “Amazing,” he thought.

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Darlene had arrived at the Shelter and had debriefed the guest assistants who were still a little shaken from the night’s events.  Though there was no name given, she was fairly sure who the woman was at the gate.  Sherry had been at the shelter many times, but had typically been a quiet, bookish sort of woman.  Darlene remembered having such hope for her.  She was different on meth though.  A slight shudder escaped and shook her entire body. 

Darlene also read the log reports from all of the previous day’s events.  Things looked a bit action packed and Darlene thanked God that she had left when she had.  She then printed up a list of current guests and walked around the shelter praying for each one.  She added Sherry to her prayers, wherever she was this morning.  Soon the shelter guests would awaken and the ladies would need her to be strong.  Right now, she simply invited God to be present and to give these ladies hope, healing and encouragement.

Real Life at the Shelter July 9-15 2012

Remember if you want to read the fictional account of all that happens in and around the Shelter.  Buy Hero Quest. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hero-quest-rich-schaus/1111489091?ean=9781462680610  1/4 of all royalties go to help the homeless

Weekly highlights

Monday July 9: One of our guests began demonstrating that she would not clean her personal area or do her chores without being constantly monitored.  Realizing that we can not hold her hand we moved her to our overflow (just a mattress on the floor from 10 pm-6am).  This same guest was responsible for telling an abuser that his victim was at the shelter.  One of the ladies on the accountability list; (She had stirred up all kinds of trouble on her way out.) tried to check-in to regular shelter.  She was told that she was still eligible for our Phase II (a bed,classes,dinner,breakfast, staff availability from 5pm-8am).  She refused that option.   One of our moms let us know that her teen age daughter had run away.  We prayed for her.               

Tuesday July 10:  One of our guests who came in very beat up (literally) is looking so much better!  Her physical wounds are healing and we have seen some emotional and Spiritual growth over this week.  She is considering the long term program.  One of our guest assistants went to California to be with her sister who is in the hospital.  She has shown incredible growth and selflessness on this stay whereas in the past she was self centered and routinely grumpy.  God is doing a wonderful work in her life.  She will be back in about a week.  Today started a trend of July for several ladies to get jobs.  By the end of the week 6 more ladies had gotten jobs.  We worked with a woman who was dropped off at the shelter and was unsure about staying with us.  After several hours she decided to stay.  She is a very broken young lady.  Pray for her.    

Wednesday July 11:   Lots of check ins today!  One of our moms was fairly sure that someone stole her son’s pants.  She raised such a stink over it and refused to calm down about it that she was asked to leave.  Fortunately, she had a bus ticket out of town so was leaving anyway.   We made some adjustments in the people in Phase II and our overflow.  There were a couple of ladies who were using phase II as an escape from responsibility.  They were offered overflow and have taken us up on that.  Another phase II guest applied for regular shelter (Full service, 24/7, all meals, staff help, classes) and was accepted back into the shelter.

Thursday July 12:     Today we prayed with the mom who’s teenage daughter was still missing.  After several people prayed the young lady showed back up.  This mom since her stay has learned that through prayer she can get a job and her daughter back.  She now believes that God will get her a home.

Friday July 13:   Today I met with a guest who was on all three accountability lists.  While she seems to be doing much better, she is still fairly distracted by boys.  We allowed her back into overflow. 

Weekend:   One of our moms is not doing well on keeping her room clean and is beginning to demonstrate verbal abuse toward her kids.  The abuse has been reported to CPS while we try to work with her to help her parenting.

General comments:   We will be going through a bit of a staff shift over the next two weeks as Jerry Bishop has taken a new job.  He has been a great asset to the shelter and will be missed.  God will surely bless him.

    

Current Crisis Shelter Purpose Statement:

 The Crisis Shelter for Women and Children exists to increase the impact of our ministries of rescue, recovery and restoration by partnering with staff, volunteers and donors.  We will do this by meeting basic needs in a safe, clean, temporary shelter, with instruction and guidance for life transformation in a healing environment.

Progress on my goals July 8-14,2012

	Target	Actually Done
Leadership Bible	Be on page 980 (5 pg a day)	On page 980
Faith in Action Bible	Be on page 1176 (6 pg a day)	On page 1178
Message Read Through	7 Days youversion program	On track
Scripture memory	40 passages by July 31	25
Running	35 miles a week	23
Running 2012 Overall	1212 miles by 12/12/12	469
Crunches	1000 a week	1200
Floss	7 times a week	7 Days
Face Cleaning/Lotions	7 times a week	7
I Like Book	7 times a week	6
Modules	2 a week	3
Social Events	3 a quarter	2
Guy Time	10 X a quarter	2
Self Exam	3 a week	3
Book Reading	1 Book a week	1
Evening Prayer Meeting	26 times a year	12
Paid Speaking	3 a quarter	0
Date with Cara	3 a quarter	2
Date with Rachel	1 a quarter	0

This week I read a book by Captain Kangaroo on parenting.  It was an enjoyable read.  I don't fully agree with everything in it.  I do believe that spanking a child can be very effective as a teaching tool.  However, it can not be over used or it loses its power.  Overall I did ok this week.  I didn't get in as many miles as I would have liked. 
The week itself was super as I was able to spend the week with my bride while the kids spent time either at camp or with the grandparents.  We enjoyed being able to relax and not need to explain conversations to awaiting ears.  It was also great to have all the kids back on Friday.
This next week I will be praying and fasting over our decision whether to go to Gateway or not.  Changing churches should not be taken lightly and we won't be.  Please feel free to pray for us.

Hero Quest Chapter 3 Part 2

            John crawled back under the covers, laid his head down.  Just as he felt the warmth of the blankets returning, the phone again rang.  “Oh, come on!”  Hero hoped that he didn’t say that out loud. 

Just as before, he answered the phone, “Hello, this is John.”  Hero waited and then a small voice began to speak.  He could not hear clearly what she was saying, but the voice seemed familiar.  Rubbing his eyes, John tried to remember where he had heard that voice.  She talked like they were old friends and the longer she talked the more he thought that he should know who it was on the other end of the line.  The voice told him that she had to get out of town soon.  Finally there was enough of a pause in the conversation that John could ask, “Where are you?” 

“I’m in North Bend.” 

“When are you coming this way?”  John figured that he could bluff his way since the voice was obviously far away and probably not sober.  But he still wanted to remember who it was that was speaking to him.  Suddenly the phone went silent.  John looked at the phone.  Again the call was disconnected.  Not sure what else to do and really too tired to care in that moment, John again plugged the phone back in and went to bed.

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            Angel again rolled over and laid on her back staring at the bunk above her.  The shelter really was not too bad.  These people seemed to really care about her.  Several times since she got back from having her procedure; the staff and volunteers had checked on her to see if she needed anything.  A couple of them had prayed with her and one had given her chocolate.  A smile escaped her face.  For a moment she felt the love that they had talked about in the small group that first night that she was at the shelter. 

Then the tapes in her head started playing again.  It was her boyfriend’s mom screaming at her.  “You are so stupid.  You need to get that fixed.  You slut!  What are you doing to my son?” 

As she replayed the tapes she had to ask herself, “Where was he?”  Nowhere in the scene could she find him.   Where would he have gone?  Then she remembered.  He was pretending to be asleep on the couch. 

“What am I doing with this guy?”  Then she remembered his eyes and the sweet things that he had said to her.  The voice in her head said, “That’s the best guy you will ever get.  You got the procedure done to keep him.  True, he had not had a job since they met.  Also true, he was thirty years old and still lived with his mother.  But he at least was out looking for a job and he made her laugh many times.  He was the one.  Her heart raced a bit with the thoughts of him. 

Then the memories of the clinic came flooding into her mind.  She was alone there as well.  It was like the dentist office.  They called her name, escorted her to a back room and an emotionless doctor explained what was about to happen.  Not once did she feel like she had a choice.  It was too late now.  A little bit of discomfort and the problem was solved.  Again her eyes filled with tears as Angel realized that she had killed her baby.