I never lived on my own, I’ve always lived in community or in homes with families. That’s how I was raised. I grew up in Mombasa, Kenya, in a community called Frere Town, started by missionaries for rescued slaves. My greatfather was one of them. We were a Christian community. We worked together, played together, and went to church twice a day. I had a very happy and content life. Many years later, I was invited to come to the United States to learn how to minister and evangelize. Then I started a new career as a live-in nanny or caregiver for elderly people. In 2017, however, I faced my worst fear. I could no longer work, and suddenly I was alone and homeless. I prayed to God … and God heard my prayers.
Senior Ladies
Find Hope
and Safety
at Hope
Gardens—
thanks to you.
“You give to help someone you don’t even know, and I want you know I love you dearly. Thank you!”— Betty
God led me to Union Rescue Mission, and they brought me to Hope Gardens’ Sequoia Lodge, which offers housing and care to senior ladies like me. When I first saw this place, I thought, This is a resort! Everything was so beautiful and peaceful. I saw the dining room, the exercise room, the gardens, and the library, where I could continue my ministerial studies. Best of all, I was surrounded by so many mothers and children. I was in a loving, Christian community, and I would never be alone again. When they showed me my room, I burst into tears. I could feel God’s mercy and His personal love for me. Since I came here, I graduated with a certificate in ministerial studies. I pray with other ladies here and pass out devotional pamphlets. I also help Hope Gardens with all their recycling. Hope Gardens has made me feel valuable and useful again. I feel safe and loved, especially when Rev. Andy Bales comes to visit us. It’s like having two fathers now, my Father in Heaven and my papa Rev. Andy. God has answered all my prayers. He has shown me how much He cares for me, because He reached out to me and met all my needs. He even gave me the chance to dye my hair! God has made me beautiful again! Hope Gardens is a miracle to me. Yet, I also want to remember you, who donated to make this miracle possible for me. I pray for you every day that God will bless you and your families for your caring hearts. You give to help someone you don’t even know, and I want you to know I love you dearly. Thank you!
Retiring on the Streets
a Nightmare Scenario
This summer, as homelessness in Los Angeles continues to reach new levels of desperation and tragedy, children will often pay the biggest price of all. Tens of thousands of children are currently living in tents, cars, trailers, motels, and even on the streets. Often, these kids experience hunger too… summertime means most of these kids no longer have access to hot and healthy school lunches. Thanks to YOUR support, there’s hope for these precious children. Women and children will have a safe place to live at Hope Gardens and Angeles House while they receive counseling, training, encouragement, and the real help they need to escape homelessness forever. Children and youth also receive onsite tutoring, mentoring, leadership development, and social and character education to thrive. Please help care for all the children and their families who turn here for help this summer… right now, your gift will have 2x the impact in their lives! Make your most generous gift now at URM.org.
Take the Leap to Fight
Homelessness in Los Angeles!
Interested in a thrilling new way to help fight homelessness in Los Angeles? The union rescue mission, in partnership with Over the Edge, is hosting a unique fundraising event, offering participants a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rappel down a 25-story office building.Proceeds will go toward services and programs for the men, women, children, and families in our care at Union Rescue Mission. For more information, click the Sign-Up Button Below.
Care and Shelter Drive
Los Angeles is experiencing an unprecedented human-made tragedy of men, women, children, families, and seniors living and dying on our streets. Many are trying to survive in cars, garages, tents, abandoned buildings… or worse. Every day, they face the risk of violent assault, poor sanitation, declining health, and physical, emotional, and mental trauma. These precious souls need far more than meals and shelter— they need someone to care. They need someone to act. They need someone to give them a chance. They need us, and they need you. With your help, they’ll have the support they need to rebuild their lives. That’s why we’re launching our Care and Shelter Drive. This summer, as more and more men, women, children, families, and seniors turn here for help, we must raise $4,500,000 by August 31 to meet the challenge. Please give today to help save even more people, including many seniors, from the streets. Thank you for all you do to provide meals, shelter, and life-changing care for so many devastated by homelessness. Let’s bring them home!
NOTES FROM ANDY
A Taste of Heaven
Betty, who we’re featuring in this issue of The Mission, is one of the sweetest, kindest women you could ever meet. Every time I see her, she makes me feel so warm and loved. I can’t imagine someone like her ending up on the mean streets of Los Angeles—and thanks to you, she didn’t have to. We opened Sequoia Lodge at Hope Gardens in 2006 to offer permanent supportive housingfor 25 senior ladies just like Betty. At that time, elderly women on Skid Row were suffering brutal beatings and even death, and we wanted to get them as far from Skid Row as possible. In fact, they were the first precious souls to move into hope Gardens. The seniors at Sequoia Lodge have already endured such terrible hardship. But today, theyenjoy a safe, secure apartment of their own,regular meals, gardens and walking paths, free transportation wherever they want to go, a library, exercise equipment, and so much more. Most of all, however, they experience dignity, love, community and fellowship, and the chance to be a grandmother to all the beautiful children at Hope Gardens. Thank you for giving these senior ladies a little taste of heaven before they one day reach glory.