FROM THE FOSTER SYSTEM TO THE FATHER’S HANDS You help a wide range of people build a new life at Muskegon Rescue Mission — maybe more than you realize. Cordell, for instance, is a young, quiet 22-yearold who recently joined our Man of Integrity program. Was he struggling with addiction? No. Did he run away from home? No. In fact, Cordell never had a place to call home since he was nine years old. At this tender age, he and his baby sister were placed into foster care due to abuse and neglect. His sister was soon adopted, but Cordell remained in the foster system until he turned eighteen.
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Even though Cordell battles with depression and struggles to stay motivated, he is blossoming in his new environment. He found strength in his newfound faith and the daily structure of the program. “I didn’t believe in anything before,” he confesses. “But now, I believe in God.” Recently, Cordell decided to be baptized. “I feel like I am spiritually reborn,” he says. “I am now opening up to hearing what God is telling me.”
With more and more guests looking to Muskegon Rescue Mission for a hot Thanksgiving meal, we need to begin preparing now.
summer. With your help, together we can provide a full dinner of turkey, dressing, gravy and all the trimmings, followed by pumpkin pie and coffee to those in need.
Last year, your gifts provided a wonderful meal for men, women and children in need — thank you! We look forward to a holiday season filled with delicious, homemade food and joyful praise to our Lord and Savior.
The annual two-day Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway offers our neighbors a full Thanksgiving meal to make at home. This year, we hope to prepare 900 baskets to bless the community. If you would like to help, donations are needed and greatly appreciated. Please choose from the items below to help someone in need this Thanksgiving.
We will feed the guests staying with us a meal and those in need of providing for their families a Thanksgiving Basket. However, our pantry is low after a busy
While Cordell’s future seemed bleak, God had bigger plans for him. Against major odds, Cordell graduated high school. Then, as he turned eighteen, he was emancipated from the foster system. With few options, he once again bounced from one housing program to the next. This spring, Cordell came to Muskegon Rescue Mission and entered the year-long residential Man of Integrity program.
Thankful for you!
Each Thanksgiving basket includes: • Frozen Turkey • Boxed Stuffing • Boxed Potatoes • Canned Corn • Canned Green Beans • Boxed Mac & Cheese • Boxed Brownie or Cake Mix • Mittens/Gloves • Hats/Scarves
Cordell is learning to trust and lean on his heavenly Father. Knowing God loves him unconditionally gives him a sense of belonging, something he never had before. “I am happy knowing I have a loving, caring Father in my life,” he says.
The baskets will be available for pickup on November 25 & 26 at the Community Resource Center. Please bring donations to 1747 7th Street.
Today, Cordell is learning valuable life skills, attending church and reading the Bible as he decides the next steps in his life. This Thanksgiving season, he says he is grateful there are people in our community who care about helping young people like him.
Your faithful support helps save today’s vulnerable youth from becoming tomorrow’s homeless adults. Thank you!
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FOR THE MUSKEGON COMMUNITY
When asked how many foster homes he was shuffled through, he sadly says, “I lost count after fifty.” Cordell’s childhood was a constant jumble of homes, families and schools. “Changing schools was tough,” he admits. “I was always the new kid and never quite fit in.”
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HARBOR LIGHT
F E AT U R E STO R Y
Thank you! 6
Visit our website to volunteer muskegonmission.org/volunteer/ 17975
Words of Gratitude p. 3-4
Trusting the Heavenly Father p. 5
THANKSGIVING 2024