Living in a car is like living in a furnace or refrigerator,” says David. “It’s a metal box that gets colder or hotter than the temperature outside. In summer, you can die from heat in a car. Winter is ice cold.” Never in his wildest dreams did David ever expect to be homeless — especially during winter.

David had a bachelor’s degree and had been working in the medical field for 15 years, helping people at the end of their lives. He had purchased a duplex with his mother so they each could have their own apartment. When his mother was diagnosed with cancer and was given six months to live, David made a drastic decision. He decided to sell the house and use the proceeds to spend the next six months helping his mother die with dignity.

Neither of them realized the monumental hurdles they would have to face. From landlords who would not rent to a dying person to endless rounds of red tape to get medical and social services, every step of the way was a struggle. The good news is David’s mother survived for five more years. The bad news is the process drained every ounce of David’s money and energy. By the time his mother passed away, David was living in his van.

Since he had no idea how to be homeless, David had to look clean-cut by day, then hang out with a streetwise homeless crowd by night to learn how to survive. “Once winter hit, I was so cold my whole body hurt. It’s so cold in the van you have to keep moving all night to keep warm,” he explains. “There’s frost on the window. I couldn’t turn the heater on because it wears out the battery. I was awake all night, exhausted by day.”

Constantly on the move to avoid the police or nosy neighbors, David never slept in the same spot twice. He was afraid he’d run out of gas. If his car became disabled and got towed away, he would lose his home.

“Then I found the Mission — and it saved my life,” David recalls. “They fed me, clothed me and loved me. They got me back on track with God,” he continues. “Once I saw that the Mission’s love is unconditional, I could believe that God’s love is unconditional. Everything has changed. Now I want to share that message with the world.”

The atmosphere at our Men's Shelter in Santa Ana was charged with excitement, challenges, opportunities and blessings on Christmas day. A long line of men, women and children started to form at 7:30 a.m. in anticipation of the 9:30 opening of the event. The staff and New Life Program participants where up early preparing for the volunteers to come and transform the shelter into a festive place filled with good food, lots of gifts for the children, Christmas music, testimonies to the Lord and the message of God’s love.

One of the highlights of the day was when one of the New Life men played his guitar and led all the children in singing Jingle Bells and Feliz Navidad. Surely God had a smile on His face as the joyful sound filled the building.

The total number of guests was 354, more than half of whom were children. Whether they came for food, entertainment, toys or just a place to come in out of the cold, everyone that attended got much more than they bargained for. When God's love is demonstrated, all those who receive it experience something far beyond the meeting of their temporal needs. They experience Him — and that alone opens the door to a world of unlimited possibilities!

Rex has probably been on a path to the Mission his whole life. His lifetime of drug and alcohol abuse was bound to catch up with him. But for most of those years he managed to hold a job — a “functioning addict.” However, the last few years even he could see how his addictions were costing him jobs and relationships. When his girlfriend died, Rex gave up trying.

He became a street guy. Motels, park benches, soup lines, day-labor jobs. He didn’t care. Each summer he could camp out, but in winter, “There is no way to stay dry or warm,” he says. Yes, he knew about the Mission. In the past he came here for food and a bed. He wondered why people here looked so happy. After an extremely rough nine months on the street, he thought he’d give it a try. “In just 40 days, I can’t believe how much I’ve changed,” he beams. “I’m reading the Bible, trying to do the right thing, learning patience.”

Rex wants the Mission, and everyone who gives to keep the doors open, to know that he is grateful. As he puts it, “Thank you, and keep it coming!”

All framing is now complete, setting the stage for the exterior work to begin. Siding is underway and lathing will commence the week of January 7. Installation of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems for all the buildings should be completed in time for the MEPS (mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural) inspection anticipated to be conducted by January 15. Drywall will follow.

A great sense of anticipation is buiding for the projected spring opening of Hope Family Housing-Buena Park, which will provide long-term housing and supportive assistance to 17 homeless families transitioning from motels throughout Orange County.

Jack sums up winter on the street with one word: miserable. He says there is no way to keep dry — and he's tried many, including using a tarp. He still ended up cold and wet. But that’s not even the worst part.

Winter on the streets can be dangerous. Especially for older men like Jack. The street term for getting robbed is “jacko,” a word he knows too well. But now Jack is trying something new — the Mission program. Thanks to your gifts, Jack will be warm, dry and safe this winter. And if he stays through graduation, chances are he’ll never spend another winter on the streets again. Thank you!

Give them a hot meal and the warmth of God's love!

In wintertime, there are not enough shelter beds in Orange County. We have to turn people away. It’s tragic. Even a young man who is soaking wet on a park bench in 40° weather will be chilled to the bone within hours. An older man — malnourished, weak and ill — it can kill him.

Your gifts provide beds, blankets, medical care and referrals to homeless people during chilling winter months. Yes, you’ll save lives and bring basic compassion to hurting people. But your gifts to the Mission also provide hope — a second chance.

Thank you to good friends and long-time supporters Charles and Diane Karp for their very generous donation to the Orange County Rescue Mission. Pictured below with the Karps is Shalom Elcott, CEO of Jewish Federation Orange County, and OCRM President Jim Palmer. God bless you!

Steve has spent enough time on the streets to know the importance of keeping your feet dry and warm. Inspired by a TV newscast on American troops in Iraq, he came up with his own homeless winter/summer “commando” boot — two sizes too large and two pairs of socks. During summer, the boot is cut for ventilation. In wintertime, it’s covered with a plastic bag to keep out the rain. But nothing is foolproof, Steve will tell you. Even with plastic bags over his shoes, the rain still gets in.

That’s where the Mission comes in. With your help, we are providing homeless men and women with dry shoes — and clean socks — all winter long. Sometimes, it’s these little acts of kindness that get guys like Steve to face up to other issues in their lives, like addiction, joblessness or loss of family relationships. Your giving is helping to change hearts and save lives. Thank you for such a wonderful gift.