There is Hope for All Who Enter Here

The other day a man walked into the Kansas City Rescue Mission. I would tell you his name, but the truth is I don’t even know what it is.

What I do know is that he had walked in subzero temperatures from the city of Independence to our shelter in downtown Kansas City. He stumbled and shuffled as his feet slowly froze, but he was determined to make it all the way down Truman Road to Cherry Street … and to our door.

I wonder if he paused at our door to read the welcome posted on it: “There is HOPE for all who enter here.” I imagine he was too desperate to get in from the cold to consider its meaning. Within a moment he was inside … a moment more and KCRM staff members quickly began to minister to his needs.

That morning, this man became our staff nurse’s special ministry. Liz brought blankets and fluids to warm his body. She checked his feet and hands for frostbite and had hot food prepared so he could begin to regain strength.

He didn’t stay more than a day or two. I can’t tell you that he had an emotional or spiritual breakthrough while he was here. But I can tell you that when he knocked on our door, we were here and ready to help. I can tell you that if our door of hope hadn’t opened for him, he may very well have died that day.

These are hard days for most of us. Money is tight and the needs are great. We see the suffering of hundreds of thousands in Haiti and want to do something — anything — to help.

Even the men who count on our emergency shelter each night want to help. During three nightly chapel services, they donated their dimes and quarters to help the relief effort in Haiti, raising $132.42! I’m so proud of them!

But we cannot forget our neighbors right here in our own backyard. We cannot neglect the cold and hungry men who shuffle along Kansas City’s freezing streets in search of warmth and food … and hope.

Would you help us stay “at the ready” for our homeless guests? Would you send a gift today to ensure we can continue to meet their daily needs? We sincerely need you now more than ever. And, I promise you we will continue to make the most of every penny we receive. Thank you for your generosity and friendship!

What would we do without you?

Sincerely,
Rev. Joe Colaizzi
Executive Director