Donna was “living in darkness” by her own description. Ten years ago, when Donna first encountered people associated with Frederick Rescue Mission, she was homeless, and her journey since then has been challenging and liberating. Your partnership with the Mission has greatly impacted Donna’s life, and she is now a different person.
Donna describes her former mindset this way: “I knew God chose me to be his, but I didn’t care. I was just living in darkness, and I resisted the Holy Ghost. But when you think you’re not up to nothin’, Jesus is up to somethin’.” She cites John 3:19-21 to describe her life: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
During the years Donna wandered the streets during the day and stayed in the Alan P. Linton homeless shelter at night, she was alienated from her family. She began attending Downtown Christian Fellowship, a weekly Christian gathering for Frederick’s homeless residents. There, she met kind people who work at the Mission. Donna began to come to the Mission for meals and hygiene supplies. She was moved by the compassionate, Christlike lifestyles of the staff and the volunteers, and she finally surrendered her life to Jesus. In time, she reconciled with her children and now lives with her son and his family.
“The Mission brings light and hope to people.
The people there are understanding and supportive.” They were so patient with me; they never pushed the gospel on me.” Donna had difficulty communicating her thoughts back then. “If I didn’t want to talk, they said, ‘That’s OK, we’ll talk when you’re ready.'”
Today, Donna volunteers at the Mission regularly and is eager to jump in and help wherever help is needed. She is well loved by our community, both people who serve and those who come for services.” Donna also co-leads a weekly women’s support group for homeless ladies with Bonnie Smith at the Mission.
“Homeless people knew me when I was homeless, and now they ask me questions. Sometimes, they can’t believe I used to be where they are! I give them hope by telling them the truth.” Because you support the Mission, you give people like Donna reasons for hope.
