Dear Friends,
When I first began my rescue mission career over 14 years ago, I thought I understood the problem of homelessness and because of that, I knew the solutions. I was wrong. The last 14 years have been a journey of learning, listening and loving.
I grew up in a stable, middle-class home with two parents. We went to church twice on Sunday and lived, in many ways, the “normal” life. Yet it was not normal. One of things I have learned along my journey is that normal does not exist. The risk of thinking it does is that we can then easily judge those in circumstances we have not faced through our perceived views of normal.
In this newsletter, you will read about a mother’s courageous journey. She fled domestic violence with her children with no place to go. She provided all she could, but it was not enough. Her love for her children and drive for a better life kept her going. Ultimately, that journey led her to Denver Rescue Mission.
Jesus told His followers that we must welcome in the stranger, give clothes to those who need them, feed those who are hungry, and care for those in need. That is exactly what this mom and children experienced when they came to DRM.
Jesus also said that we should not judge unless we want to be judged. But this is so easy to do. To judge people through the lens of our experience instead of listening and learning about their experience. Our charge is to love our neighbors as ourselves.
I am so glad that DRM exists and that each day we strive to welcome, serve and love all who walk through our doors without judgement. This is the first step toward life change—those we serve and ours.
We could not do this without you. Because of your faithful support we are able to serve men, women and children every single day. Our vision is this: through the power of Christ, work to bring an end to homelessness, one life at a time. Thank you for making that possible.
Grace and peace,
Dennis Van Kampen
President/CEO
This post is part of April’s Changing Lives Newsletter. This month, we’re sharing Keshia and her children’s story of tenacity and hope in: A Mother’s Motivation.
