MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES. CROSSroads APRIL God didn t give up on Rachel... and neither did you! I M NO LONGER A STATISTIC.

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1 MEL TROTTER MINISTRIES CROSSroads APRIL 2018 God didn t give up on Rachel... and neither did you! I M NO LONGER A STATISTIC.

2 From The President/CEO BECAUSE YOU CARED, IN 2017: 103 unemployed people secured jobs 84 families moved into stable homes 242 veterans were served with dignity and compassion The Value of One Life How much is one life worth? To our God, each life is priceless. Because of his deep love for us, we are compelled to love and serve every single person we encounter at Mel Trotter Ministries regardless of appearance, behavior or status. On the pages of this newsletter you will be introduced to people whom God loves. Sometimes we read someone s story through the lens of who they are now. They are in recovery, employed, saved fill in the blank. I wonder if sometimes we forget that God loved them even when they were at rock bottom. He loved them when our world gave up on them. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. JOHN 3:16 We are broken people coming alongside broken people, building relationships and walking together toward the life God has for each of us. This is called restoration but it starts with love, is maintained by love, and can only succeed because of love. I pray that you will be deeply impacted by the stories you read about the people God loves and sent Jesus for. Thank you for your partnership in this ministry. Without you, these stories of life-change would not be possible. Remember, you are loved by God so much that he sent Jesus for you, too. The value of one life is priceless! 88% of guests who completed programs won t return to MTM Grace and peace, Dennis Van Kampen President/CEO, Mel Trotter Ministries

3 DON T BE AFRAID. JUST STAND WHERE YOU ARE AND WATCH THE LORD RESCUE YOU. EXODUS 14:13 Rachel s life flipped right side up again! ALL I WANTED WAS TO STOP HURTING Growing up in a house where alcohol and drug use were common, it s not surprising that Rachel got high for the first time at 13. At 18, she was pregnant and trapped in an abusive relationship. By age 36, Rachel was a full-blown IV drug user. The odds were stacked against her, but God defies all odds. Through her struggles, Rachel and her children relied on her father who also battled addiction to provide food, clothing and a home. After his sudden RACHEL death, Rachel s life flipped upside down. No amount of drugs would numb my pain. All I wanted was to stop hurting but nothing worked. It wasn t long before Rachel and her children were evicted from their home. She sent her children to her ex-husband and suddenly found herself alone and homeless. I heard about the Step-Up Recovery Program at Mel Trotter, Rachel recalled. I was scared of being in a homeless shelter but nothing could be worse than living on the streets. I felt a huge wave of calmness and I felt like I was going to be okay. Arriving at the Mission, Rachel immediately set her fears aside. That great big cross was the first thing I saw when I walked through the door. I felt a huge wave of calmness and I felt like I was going to be okay, she said as she smiled. Rachel had already tried six times to overcome her addiction. The Step-Up Program was the first program that she completed. Because of Mel Trotter I m no longer just a statistic or a homeless drug addict, Rachel said. Drug-free for nearly two years, Rachel enrolled in college, received dentures through the MTM dental clinic and recently secured employment. Looking ahead, she shared, I hope to give back to the same community that helped me get my life on track. I want to show other women who have been through domestic violence, homelessness, and addiction that it is possible to get help and become anything they want to be. Because I know if I can do it, anybody can do it. Rachel continues to apply for apartments and looks forward to being reunited with her children. Thank you for not giving up on women like Rachel!

4 GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH, AN EVER-PRESENT HELP IN TROUBLE. PSALM 46:1 rescued from Hurricane Harvey YOU ARE THE SHELTER FROM JEFFREY S STORM Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Jeffrey moved around a bit in recent years, tending to vacant houses for realtors in West Michigan and then Houston, Texas. My nephew and I would clean the houses and keep the yards up, so when people came to show them, they d be ready. Unfortunately, the work stopped when Jeffrey s nephew had a falling out with his employer. Although Jeffrey had saved some money, there was no steady income for about six or eight months. When his first granddaughter was born last August, Jeffrey flew from Houston back to Grand Rapids to visit his family. The next day, Hurricane Harvey hit Houston and destroyed his home. My nephew called me and said, Everything s under water. Jeffrey had lost everything except what he had in his duffle bag. With nothing but chaos left in Houston, Jeffrey stayed in local motels in Grand Rapids until his money ran out. I came down to Mel Trotter and my cousin Bobby was working security, he explained. Bobby introduced me to [advocate] Will and I got into the program. It gives me hope, that s for sure! JEFFREY MTM s Pilgrimage Program is for homeless men and women who qualify for supplemental security income or social security disability, which Jeffrey receives for a degenerative bone condition in his neck. Guests in this specialized program are treated with dignity and participate in morning devotionals, chores, classes, and other activities that encourage them to connect with a meaningful community. I do my Bible study because it keeps me in the right frame of mind, Jeffrey told us. I m enjoying fellowship with my Man! He also enjoys the education and the structure the program provides. As I go through the Bible class and that diversity class, it keeps me level, he explained. I love it. Jeffrey is grateful to people like you who helped give him a place to call home when he had nowhere to go. It gives me hope, that s for sure, he said. It just made me feel good about myself that people would help me. Your continued gifts are keeping more guests like Jeffrey afloat when life s storm takes them under.

5 you helped john get his bearings John is a navy veteran with a strong faith in Jesus Christ, but there is more to his story. He came to Mel Trotter Ministries after spending more than two decades behind bars. Homeless and in the wake of a divorce, he knew it was time for some serious change. I call my time at Mel Trotter re-tooling my life. Factories re-tool. When they re changing a product, they can t make it with everything set up the way it was for the last project. Mel Trotter Ministries gave me an opportunity to reflect and get my bearings, John said. Reflecting on his early days in the military, John realized that he had been immature and ill-prepared to serve. He was dishonorably discharged and soon began serving the first of three prison terms for attempted murder. By the time I got out of prison, I had actually spent over 24 years behind bars. At that point it was literally over half my life. That scale has tipped the other way now, and praise God, God willing, it will keep going that way. Today, John has a place of his own and a job as a driver for a medical transportation company. He now leads an advocacy group that helps returning citizens integrate back into society. He s also involved with a local church and secure in his relationship with Jesus Christ. The father of a four-year-old little girl, John said he s determined to be a positive example. She s the apple of my eye. I want her to have a good dad. I want her to have the best foundation and guidance I can give her. Thanks to your support, John will be well-equipped to offer that fatherly guidance! leave a legacy of hope Have you ever heard an adoption story and felt your heart swell? Maybe it was because adoption tugs at our human desire for belonging or to see families experience wholeness. Either way, building a family is powerful. You can also bring meaning and depth to your family by adopting a ministry as your heirs through a program called Child Named Charity. Adding Mel Trotter Ministries as another child in your Will can enrich your life with purpose, knowing your legacy will impact lives for generations to come. For the full version of this article, request a FREE copy of How Your Family Can Impact the World by contacting Cindy Mackey at or cindymackey@meltrotter.org. Or bless your family today with a God-honoring Will at meltrotter. Mel Trotter Ministries gave me an opportunity to reflect and get my bearings. JOHN

6 upcoming mtm events NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, MAY 3, 2018 Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 Calling all prayer warriors! You are invited to join MTM, individuals, churches, and spiritual leaders nationwide as we pray for unity in America. All ages are welcome to meet at the Mission at 225 Commerce Avenue SW on May 3. We hope you will be among the hundreds to pray with us. 225 Commerce Avenue SW Grand Rapids, MI meltrotter.org Our Mission Statement Mel Trotter Ministries exists to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus Christ, through rescue and restoration for anyone experiencing hunger and homelessness. MEET THE MISSION LUNCHEONS Tour the Mission, ask questions, hear stories of life change, and learn about how you can partner with us to help restore more lives. The Meet the Mission Luncheon is free, but reservations are required. To reserve your space, call Evie Campbell at or RSVP online at meltrotter.org/luncheon. Luncheons will be held Tuesday, April 24; Tuesday, May 8; and Tuesday, May 22 from 11:45 a.m. 1:30 p.m. RESTORE LIVES 22 nd Annual Golf Event June 11, 2018, Railside Golf Club Help us end homelessness, one life at a time, by volunteering or playing at the Mel Trotter Ministries Annual Golf Event. Your support will help rescue men, women, and children from the streets and restore their lives through faith, jobs, and housing. Morning and afternoon flights available. Not a golfer? Volunteer your time or make a gift to sponsor the event. Find more details and register at meltrotter.org/golf. spring cleaning needs list PLEASE HELP US IMPROVE THE MISSION AND PROVIDE FOR OUR GUESTS THIS SPRING. DONATE THESE NEW OR GENTLY USED ITEMS: n Pillow cases, standard size n Bath towels n Wash cloths n Men s jeans, all sizes n Facial tissues n Hoover upright bagless vacuums n 3-ft. dust mop and handles n Gas-powered leaf blower Please doreensturgis@meltrotter.org or call if you would like to organize a drive, drop off your donation or if you have any questions. CONNECT WITH US Board of Directors Janis Petrini Chair Kurt Hein Vice Chair Ron Van Houten Treasurer Tonja Moyer Secretary Brenda Moore Assistant Secretary Jim Bultema Greg Heath Kelly Jasperse Jim Kregel Tom McGovern Jim Mitchell Jonathan Moody HONORARY TRUSTEES Tom Meyers Rick Velting TRUSTEES Roger Bruins Bruce Bush Dave Byers Rich Craig Chuck Damon Donijo Dejonge Mary Hollebeek Tony Johnson Jeshua Lauka Adam Lipscomb Dale McNinch Gordon Oosting Tony Pearson Robert Worthington