Grateful for a Miracle: “I hit rock bottom”
Celebrating Easter, and the Power of Christ that Transforms Life!
Save the Date to Save Lives! Saturday, May 23, 2020
Share an Easter Blessing with a Hurting Soul
Notes from Andy
THE POWER OF EASTER TRANSFORMED CARLOS—THANKS TO YOU!
I had a rough childhood. Both my parents were addicts. There was no love in our home, only violence. The first word I ever spoke wasn’t “Mama” or “Papa.” It was the “F” word . . .
An aunt later adopted me, but by the time I was 12, I was the meanest kid at school. I was so violent, I spent most of my youth in juvenile detention. When I got out at 18, I was ready to make the world pay. Burglary, gangs, violence, and prison—that was my career. I spent 17 of the next 20 years in prison.
NINE YEARS HOMELESS IN A RIVERBED
I was addicted—not to drugs or alcohol, but to power. Everywhere I went, people were terrified of me. That’s the only high I ever needed.
When I got out, it was a brand-new world, and I wasn’t welcome anywhere in it. I spent nine years homeless in a riverbed but I still couldn’t break the addiction.
Until the day I finally got tired—the day I couldn’t look at myself anymore. I wanted to change. I wanted to be better. That day I came to Union Rescue Mission. When I walked through these doors, I was finally broken.
HE LOVED ME THAT MUCH
Then I met Jesus. I heard about the One who died for me. For ME. It didn’t matter how many people I had hurt or how violent I got or how much destruction I caused. He died for me. And three days later, He rose again. When Jesus walked out of the tomb that first Easter, He walked out with me in His arms. No one deserved to die more than me, but Jesus loved me anyway.
Someone wanted me. Someone loved me that much. I’m still in shock to this day. But I gave my life to Christ.
Now He is transforming my life in ways I never thought possible.
I recently reconnected with my family. They said, “Carlos, we’re proud of you.” I never once heard that in my life. Ever. Wow.
As a donor, you made that possible for me. I’ve been a taker all my life. You showed me what it means to be a giver. Someday, I hope I’m just like you. Thank you!
Please give today to help more people like Carlos put the past behind and embrace new life in Jesus Christ.
CELEBRATING EASTER,
AND THE POWER OF CHRIST THAT TRANSFORMS LIVES!
Good Friday Easter Egg Hunt and Personalized Easter Egg Baskets
On the Friday before Easter—what we call “Good Friday”—children devastated by homelessness at Union Rescue Mission receive handcrafted, personalized Easter egg baskets filled with toys and candy and can participate in a special Easter egg hunt.
Saturday Easter Outreach
The Saturday between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Union Rescue Mission holds a special outreach event for the Skid Row community. Guests are treated with live musical performances, free medical checkups, foot washings, and the chance to obtain items of their choice, including clothing, shoes, snacks, hygiene items, and Bibles.
Good Friday Service in the Main Chapel
On the evening of Good Friday, all Union Rescue Mission guests are invited to a special chapel service to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
Sunrise Easter Service (nondenominational)
Early in the morning on Easter Sunday, nearly 150 guests will gather on the rooftop of Union Rescue Mission to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ—the reason we do what we do.
Thank you—YOU make all this possible!
Your gift helps more families discover the love and hope of Jesus’ resurrection. Please give today!
Stories from Skid Row
Needles, stabbings, high speed getaways, and pain. So much pain. Since Carlos’ life was marked by all of these, he never thought he could be the changed man he is today—free and living for God. Watch Carlos’ remarkable story and give to help others experiencing homelessness today.
Please help now. Your gift will help more men, women, children, and families eager for new life.
SAVE THE DATE TO SAVE LIVES!
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2020
Every day, three people devastated by homelessness die in the streets of Los Angeles. Join CEO Andy Bales and Union Rescue Mission for our annual 5K walk to save lives by providing a safe haven and life transformation for precious men and women on Skid Row.
Please join us at Los Angeles Staples Center for URM’s 3rd Annual Walk to Fight Homelessness. Together we can help men, women, and children escape the cycle of homelessness. You can register at urmwalk.org and join us at 8 a.m. on May 23, 2020.
Give a meal for $2.54 to bless one hurting person, or a gift of $24.50 to help 10!
SHARE AN EASTER BLESSING WITH A HURTING SOUL
RIGHT NOW, SOMEONE DEVASTATED BY POVERTY, ADDICTION, AND HOMELESSNESS NEEDS HOPE.
He or she needs to know that there’s a second chance—and that a new life is possible. YOU can give that blessing!
Thanks to Easter, Christ’s promise that anyone can be a “new creation” is the foundation of everything Union Rescue Mission does. It is the power, the hope, and the reason for all we do on behalf of hurting people.
But none of it is possible without you.
Your special Easter gift today will provide life-changing help like hot meals, shelter, and safety. But most important of all, you’ll help lead precious men, women, and children to the foot of the cross and the love of a Savior, who alone can transform their lives today—and for eternity. Please send the most generous gift you can today. Thank you!
For more information or to put your gift to work even faster, go to urm.org/2020-march-newsletter
Send an Easter blessing by giving your gift today!
With more people on the streets as Easter approaches, your gift is needed right now. Please give today!
"THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW IS HERE!"
I hope you enjoy reading Carlos’ story in this issue of The
Mission. He is a living, walking miracle. A man once addicted to power over others, a man lost on the streets for years, a man devoted to evil is now a brand-new human being, devoted to good.
Second Corinthians 5:17 reads, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” That verse describes exactly what Union Rescue Mission is all about. Everything we do—meals, shelter, counseling, job training, everything—is aimed at helping transform hurting men, women, and children into new creatures in Jesus Christ.
Today, more than 59,000 people are devastated by homelessness in Los Angeles. Like Carlos, they need to hear the good news that a second chance, and new life, is truly possible. In fact, I believe we are facing such an overwhelming, impossible crisis that we cannot solve it apart from Christ.
As our partner in Christ, you are the reason why I have hope. You are the hands and feet of Jesus, along with all of us at Union Rescue Mission. Together, through the power of Christ, we are changing lives.
Blessings,
Sign Up for Rev. Andy’s
Easter Devotionals
This Easter season, we invite you to sign up to receive Rev. Andy’s devotionals to start your day with a moment of reflection and prayer.
Please visit urm.org/devotionals and prepare your hearts to celebrate the hope of Christ’s resurrection.