S ERVING THE HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES S I N C E 1988. SUMMER 2016

NEHEMIAH HOUSE Michael Walker, Director LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR 36 Bridge Street Petoskey, MI 49770 AAnnootthheerr LLiiffee CChhaannggeedd 231.347.0363 [email protected]

Praise the LORD, my soul; MARY-MARGARET HOUSE Gale Walker, Manager all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 40 Bridge Street Praise the LORD, my soul, Petoskey, MI 49770 and forget not all his benefits— 231.439.5667 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, BOARD MEMBERS who redeems your life from the pit Howard Beck, MD, Chairman Becky Nohel, CPA, Treasurer and crowns you with love and compassion, Sam Buitendorp, Secretary who satisfies your desires with good things Pastor Jim Gerber so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Carole Griffin Psalm 103: 1-5 Rev. Jim Larsen Rev. Ward Potts John Scott Michelle Walker Recently, the Nehemiah House welcomed “Aaron” as a new innkeeper. Aaron is a Jeremy Wills, DDS former guest here at the Nehemiah House, and we are so excited he has chosen to Ward Walstrom stay on as a volunteer. While a guest, Aaron re-dedicated his life to Christ, and over time his life began reflecting more and more a Christ-like attitude. He displayed a caring, supportive interest for the other guests in the house, especially spiritual concerns. Now as an innkeeper, Aaron mentors many guests, always sharing his INSIDE THIS ISSUE joyful heart while serving and testifying about what Jesus has done in his own life.

 Letter from the Director He is a great encourager and an example of the life saving grace of our Lord.  Letter from the Supervisor  FAQ's from the Board Chairman We look forward to the many years with Aaron, as he continues to grow and serve  Needs List the Lord here in this ministry. Aaron’s testimony is a big part of why we serve the homeless. It is a great blessing to see God at work through people.

The Nehemiah Project is a Your participation is essential to The Nehemiah Project. 501 (c) 3 organization. Your prayers, your service, and of course your financial support are what keeps the doors open. Thank you so much for all that you do. Newsletter printing donated by McLaren Northern Michigan In His service, Michael Walker, Director The Nehemiah Project

LETTER FROM THE SUPERVISOR The New Has Come

What a privilege it is to be on the front lines watching the miracles the Lord performs in the lives of those He places in our care. Sharing the promises of God in scripture with a broken soul and watching those very promises manifest in their lives is amazing and humbling at the same time.

In September of 2015, Cynthia came to stay at the Mary Margaret House. She was broken and hopeless, her addiction to alcohol had taken over her life. Her marriage ended in divorce and she was facing criminal charges. The final and most devastating blow came when the Department of Human Services removed her children from her care.

One evening Cynthia shared her life story and the recent events that brought her to the shelter. My heart ached for her, hearing the pain, hurt and heart break she had endured since childhood. As she shared her current situation, I began to see the Lord had her in the palm of His hand. He was already moving and providing some very committed Christian attorneys and others to help with her legal cases. The Lord was going before her and preparing a way for her to overcome. What a privilege to share this and other promises of God with her. Cynthia learned many more of those promises during the weeks and months to come. She asked Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and was Baptized. When circumstances seemed bleak or didn’t go the way she hoped and prayed they would, she stood firm on those promises.

Cynthia moved to the Grace House to begin the process of transitioning from the shelter. Cynthia’s focus was committed to recovery, rebuilding her life, and her relationship with the Lord. She worked hard and successfully met all of her financial and legal obligations. Her ex-husband was amazed at the changes in her. They had divorced because of Cynthia’s spiraling alcoholism, and the affect it was having on her family but they still loved each other. He became one of her greatest supporters.

Cynthia’s last day at the shelter was April 28, 2016. Her stay at the shelter ended on a much different note than her arrival. She was no longer broken and hopeless; she was joyful, hopeful, and healthy. That day at 6:00 p.m., Cynthia and her ex-husband were remarried at Hope Hall. After the beautiful ceremony, she returned home with her husband and youngest son.

Cynthia continues to flourish. Her children are home and her family is reunited with relationships built on a new strong foundation. If you have served, if you have prayed, if you have provided financially for The Nehemiah Project ministry, we are deeply grateful. Without you, The Nehemiah Project would not exist. You are an amazing part of the Lord’s miracle that is Cynthia’s new story.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Melinda Fisher Grace House Supervisor

Current FFAAQQ’’ss AAbboouutt TThhee NNeehheemmiiaahh PPrroojjeecctt Needs

Our goal is to help our readers understand more fully about The Nehemiah Project. With this in mind I have included a list of the Prayer Needs frequently asked questions that we encounter when we speak to church members, businesses, foundations and other community URGENT need for early and late Innkeepers organizations. for The Mary Margaret House

Guests receive agape love and come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior WHO DOES THE NEHEMIAH PROJECT SERVE? We serve homeless men, women and children in northern Michigan. Minors less than 18 Full time employment and affordable housing for our guests years of age are accepted only with a parent. Board of Directors, staff and volunteers

WHY THE NAME NEHEMIAH? In the bible the Book of Nehemiah describes a compassionate man who followed God’s calling to rebuild the walls and defenses around Jerusalem. He was a courageous servant of God who used material means to lift up and restore the spirit and faith of House Needs

God’s people. for the Children and Adults

Meat – beef, pork, chicken HOW LONG CAN OUR GUESTS STAY? The average length of stay of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables our guests is 30-45 days. Length of stay is dependent on individual circumstances. Laundry Supplies – laundry soap, dryer sheets, spot remover, bleach

HOW IS THE NEHEMIAH PROJECT FUNDED? Two-thirds Cleaning Supplies – floor, bathroom, toilet bowl, of our funds come from donations by individuals, churches, window and furniture polish, dish soap, dish washer soap businesses and grants. The remainder comes from federal Coffee, Creamers and Sugar and state homeless programs. Our goal is to eliminate the need for government funding by increasing private donations. Storage Products – aluminum foil, cling wrap, large and small zip lock bags, food storage containers with lids HOW IS MY DONATION DOLLAR USED? 74% is used for program Garbage Bags – kitchen(13 gallon) services which include housing, food, education, counseling, mentoring and operation of our winter warm room program. 26% is used for Over the Counter Medicine – pain reliever administration. (ibuprofen), cold and flu relievers, and allergy relief, band aids, antibiotic cream

Refrigerator – new or newer used WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? Currently our greatest need is for women innkeepers for the Mary Margaret House. Hours are from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Twin mattresses – 10 new twin mattresses for the men’s house and 9 p.m. - 8 a.m. Daily needs are listed in the newsletter. Most importantly we ask for your prayers to help sustain The Nehemiah (Please no clothes or hygiene items at this time.)

Project ministry. Please drop off items at: 36 Bridge Street, Petoskey Howard Beck, MD, Board Chairman or call 231.347.0363 The Nehemiah Project Thank you for your support.

The Mission of The Nehemiah Project is to provide a witness of God’s love for his people. Through faith and belief in the Holy Scriptures, we as believers, will minister with compassion to our neighbors in need.

It is our desire to minister to the whole person; body, soul, mind and spirit. To this end, we will promote spiritual and personal growth by providing food, shelter, hope, grace and prayer for the hopeless.

Please check out our website at: www.nehemiahhomelessshelter.org Hope Hall Progress

The Nehemiah Project

P.O. Box 1745 Petoskey, MI 49770

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

S ERVING THE HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES S I N C E 1988. SUMMER 2016

What is THE NEHEMIAH PROJECT?

A group of local churches came together 28 years ago to meet a need The four buildings are: in the community that was going unmet; the homeless needed a safe 1. The Nehemiah House – Men's shelter place to receive a home cooked meal and a clean place to sleep. 2. The Mary-Margaret House – Women & children's shelter 3. The Grace House – Transitional shelter for men & women Through God’s provisions we have been providing these basic needs 4. Hope Hall – Place for education, community, winter shelter and more to our neighbors. As a nonprofit organization, we provide and administrative offices education, job training, community support, and encouragement to so many in need. We are blessed to have each one of these buildings, each are an answer to pray. All of this is what you are a part of, and we thank It started with one house, men downstairs and women and children you for your continued support as we work to share a healing upstairs. Today we have four separate buildings that we call The HOPE to the homeless and helpless. May the blessings multiple! Nehemiah Project. From All of us at The Nehemiah Project