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God Answers Prayer for Desperate Homeless Man
The New Life Medical Clinic (NLMC) is swamped with sick people all winter. Nurse Practitioner Kelly Slater-DeGree has seen it all. “The New Life Medical Clinic sees a huge influx of patients during wintertime,” says Kelly. “I hate that we have to turn people away.” She treats the patients and offers to pray for all those who want prayer. One patient in need of prayer sticks out in her mind: Jacob.* Jacob, like many NLMC patients, has diabetes — and he doesn’t get adequate medical care. Diabetics lose feeling in their extremities (peripheral neuropathy). They may get foot ulcers, for example, and not realize it, because they don’t feel it. Jacob had scalded the soles of his feet — but since it didn’t hurt and he couldn’t afford a doctor, had not gotten medical care. His feet blistered, got infected and his toes started turning black. By the time he came to us, his feet were black and smelled like gangrene. It was more than likely his feet would be amputated. We prayed. We contacted his family and convinced them to come and take him to the emergency room. When they arrived, we all prayed again. While the family sat in the ER waiting room, something happened. Jacob’s feet started changing before their eyes. First the swelling went down, then the black started fading into pink. By the time he got to the doctor, all he needed were some antibiotics! Jacob came back to the clinic to tell us of the miracle, crying the whole time. This is God’s work. He has called us to give practical and spiritual care to all who need it. Usually God works through us — we are His hands and face of love. But on that day we were blessed to be part of His direct healing hand in the life of a hurting family. Please help us provide extra food, blankets, shelter, medications — and prayer — this winter. Thank you. *Name changed. |
When the armory opens up in winter and people begin sleeping in rows and rows of cots next to coughing people, infections spread rapidly — from athlete’s foot to laryngitis. Homeless people have weakened immune systems (from poor diets, exposure, substance abuse) and their untreated colds can easily lead to bronchitis, pneumonia — even death. |
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One of her aunts, who had stayed behind as hospital staff, had been evacuated to the now-infamous New Orleans Convention Center. She gave horrifying accounts of the conditions and mismanagement there. Rena needs dialysis treatment 3 times a week. They were told of a medical facility. But Rena’s car was out of gas, so they couldn’t drive there. Her brother stayed in line at the station overnight to get a few gallons. Meanwhile, her relatives in Orange County contacted the Mission’s outreach program for Katrina victims. The Mission helped with airfare to get Rena’s family to Orange County. Initially, the Mission helped with food, clothes and referrals. Last week, the Orange County Rescue Mission helped Rena and her family move into their own apartment. We also coordinated donation efforts to get them the basics — towels, kitchenware, a refrigerator, a sofa. The schools here are so much better for their two teenagers — they are going to make this their new home. “The Lord has blessed us,” says Rena. “We are church-going people, and God turned this tragedy into something good for us — thanks to people at the Orange County Rescue Mission.” |
When Rena Thompson’s family evacuated New Orleans two days before Hurricane Katrina hit, they assumed they would be home in a day or two. They had little more than the clothes on their backs. Instead, they spent a week in a Mississippi motel room with no electricity. Their only news came via cell phone calls to relatives still in New Orleans. Not good news. Their home was uninhabitable — they couldn’t return. |
Here, I feel the presence of God. Now I have a purpose. I’ve learned a lot. It’s hard being here — but I’m learning to get along with others. Learning to manage my anger. I get fewer migraines. I’m going to finish my GED and then get vocational training. I’ll be able to take care of my boys. To the donors, I would say thank you very much. I appreciate DAILY everything I have here. It works. This program has changed my life. |
When my prostitute friends helped get me a few nights in the motel for me and my kids, that gave me a few days to figure out what to do. That’s when a friend told me about |
Every year at Christmas time, the Orange County Rescue Mission invites volunteer sponsors to adopt homeless families living in motels and provide them with Christmas gifts they don't have the means to purchase themselves. Doing for others what they can't do for themselves. That's a pretty fair description of the love that God has shown to us by sending Jesus to be our Saviour. And Sleighbells is an opportunity, not only for our clients to experience the love of God extended to them, but also for their sponsors to be the conduits through which that love flows. This year, over 120 volunteers gave of themselves to bring Christmas blessings to 68 families. Thanks to all who participated, and merry Christmas! |
Sleighbells Jingle for the Homeless
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Average Orange County rainfall in January is 3.18 inches.
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Community groups, churches, families, individuals, and businesses—here’s a great way to help homeless families stay together while they rebuild their lives and become self-supporting. Adopt a suite or a room in the Village of Hope! The Village of Hope is an innovative, faith-based, transitional facility that will keep homeless dads, moms, and kids together, while giving parents 12 to 24 months to work on job training and life skills. To make this dream a reality, we must transform two existing military dormitories into 128 rooms for homeless families. A plaque with your name, or your group’s name, will be placed in the room. More importantly, your group will be part of creating modern-day miracles in the lives of hurting families in Orange County. Please email Joe Wheeler or call (714) 247-4325 for more info. You can also check our Web site for volunteer work dates, construction needs, prayer requests, and more. |
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I was devastated. Most government programs focus on drug addicts and the chronic homeless — not senior women and children in families. As the population ages, the number of senior homeless is going to increase by the thousands, which leaves a gigantic gap for us to try and fill as a private, faith-based organization. It’s overwhelming to see people you want to help right now, but can’t. We ordered 250 blankets to send to the tent shelter. And we are watching — as soon as something opens up, we will get those three senior women indoors. God has called us to serve the least, last and lost of Orange County. Your support is crucial and needed more than ever! The task seems monumental, but with your help, we will keep responding as best as we are able. Please send a gift right away! In His Service,
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In wintertime there are not enough shelter beds in Orange County. Recently, I visited a makeshift tent shelter run by volunteers. I was dismayed at how many homeless children were there. As I walked through the camp, I saw three homeless senior women. I was told, “We don’t have enough tents so we have to give priority to the children. Those three have to sleep outside.” The women told me they had no family to take them in. They stayed together as a form of protection. They were not drug addicts. They had worked their whole lives. But when you are struggling on a fixed income, it doesn’t take much to push you over the edge. 
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OperationOC needs volunteer workers for 4-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, 9am—1pm or 1pm—5pm.
If you can help, please call (714) 247-4328. Thank you! |
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