Fifteen Minutes of Fame - Past, Present, and Future

Most people at one time or another have their fifteen minutes of fame. Mine was on Friday, Jan. 13, 2012. What a day for that to happen. I was asked if I was up to an interview. I said I would be happy to do so, not knowing then what was instore for me.

I found out that the Family Center would receive a grant and Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver would be here. No pressure, right? Well, after meeting Mr. Cleaver I felt at ease. I got up along with another lady, Yaisi, and both of us told a cliff notes version of how we came to the Mission. Then came the pictures. Channel 5 News did an on-camera interview with me and a KMBZ radio DJ did an interview with both Yaisi and myself. Soon our fifteen minutes were over, but the memories will last.

Afterwards, I got to thinking about everyone all through history who experienced their fifteen minutes. For some, it lasted a short time. For others, it went on for years. Each time, it only lasted until someone else came along and took the spotlight. With 2 exceptions, all we have is a short time.

The two exceptions, I am referring to are Jesus Christ and Satan. Their fifteen minutes began before time started and will last until time ends and beyond. It is up to us to decide which side of the coin to be involved in. We can spend fifteen minutes of fame in heaven with Jesus Christ; Or, we can spend our fifteen minutes with Satan in the fires of hell.

Have you made your choice? I have. Hope to see you there!

(LeeAnn is a participant in the New Life Program at City Union Mission)

The Tiny Lighted Door

Wait, don’t go near there, it is not large enough for even a thought to pass through. Yet how is it we see a pinhole of light?

Drawn by something towards not of mere thoughts, but something foreboding, incomprehensible.

Lest we all stand here firmly planted we won’t know.

Whom is brave, daring, courageous, one without fear and a total understanding of what we face here, or within there.

Walking towards, seemingly gaining nothing not only of ground, we begin to hasten our pace realizing that our paths are no different than the speed of which shows no gain.

Resting and using what I just pondered upon, we notice the lighted object enlarged. What, why, how doesn’t answer, but in itself.

Taking another breath, visualizing this object suddenly it appears just out of reach and certainly attainable. This door recognizable now not so tiny and of immensely great light, shinning upon our surroundings, enabling us to a realization that of which is a type of moving picture.

The foreboding wasn’t that out of reach, but is that of which has always surrounded us.

Now standing, fearing what is to happen, we reach for a handle to aid in opening the door. Touching this handle is something that we all want. Our senses awakening as we firmly grasp the handle opening the door in haste, feeling our inner person leaping in joy as we sense also that something left behind, won’t be missed.

Anewness, AWE-NEW-NESS -- the very tiny door was opened, lighted, showing, guiding our way; here next to Him laid the key that was placed before our journey started and was drawn to the tiny lighted door.

(Written By David M. Roettgen,  a participant in the Christian Life Program at City Union Mission)

My Life Now Has a Direction

Before coming to the Mission, my life was spent just existing. I spent nights awake thinking about the dead-end job waiting for me in the morning. I was always angry, frustrated, and stressed out. I drank so that I could sleep, but that didn’t help very long. I had no real direction or purpose. Life was just a daily existence that I didn’t look forward to.

When my wife became ill, there were more bills than I could even think about. I drank more so I wouldn’t have to think about them, but the bills were still there. Then when I thought things couldn’t be worse, I got injured and lost my job. With more than enough experience in my line of work, I thought finding a job would be easy. I was wrong. We finally lost our housing and everything we owned.

At City Union Mission, I found a staff of great people who were more than willing to help me. I stopped drinking the day I arrived three months ago and haven’t had a drink or even wanted a drink since. The Mission staff helped me to find my way back to God and the Church. I am receiving spiritual and educational help. I have a great place to live with good people around me. Life now has a direction and a purpose. I like waking up in the morning again.

(Ken is a participant in the New Life Program at City Union Mission, along with his wife Lea Ann)

Pressing on for the Higher Goal in Christ

It has taken God’s hand upon my life to release me from my addictions. Living my life with Christ allows me to be free of my addictions. Living my life for Christ allows me to stay clean and sober. Coming here to City Union Mission has helped me to overcome the entrapment of my addictions through rest, reflection, the teachings of God, and the commitment from the staff members to help me create an intentional path towards success.

It has taken God’s other hand upon my life to keep me lifted up and having sight as I journey through my commitment to Him, not allowing others or circumstances to hinder my walk and discovery of myself. Since I have been here at the Mission and have committed my life to the New Life Program, I have learned the meaning of being valued by God. I now have the freedom to value, love, and accept myself by putting the Lord first in all I do.

People may think what they want because ultimately, God is in control of ALL THINGS! I know I have trials and tribulation ahead, and I do expect to suffer for them. Anything worth having creates a challenge to keep it. Relying on and trusting in God is essential for success in anyone's life—putting ALL negativity behind and pressing onward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.

So whoever may be reading this, please understand that God is very real, and that if God is for us, then who can be against us? All we have to do is talk to God, consistently and love Him with all our hearts. Please brothers and sisters, press on for the higher goal which is in Christ.

(Dawn is a participant in the New Life Program at City Union Mission)

God Opened a Door for My Family

Before coming to the Mission, I was a “normal Christian” with an English teaching job in Korea for seven years. God then opened the door for me to work with a missionary organization in the USA. However, that didn’t work out well, so I came to Kansas City to check out a worship music school, and I met my American husband. At the time, he was physically healthy, but after we married, he went back to an addiction problem I didn’t know he had. My parents had to help us financially for three years. My husband had started to get in lots of trouble, even jail, and I decided I had to protect my boys and myself.

So, my husband and I came to City Union Mission, as a family, with our 2 year old and 1 year old sons, to get help for my husband’s addiction. We stayed one month and then as my husband’s mother was very ill, we planned to visit her, but that didn’t work out. We had to stay in a motel for a week, with no plan, no place to go, and our money running out. So, I called a counselor who worked at the Mission and told her my situation. Through her, God opened the door for me and the boys to restart the program. Finally, my husband decided to go to the Mission Men’s Program. So now, I am working on my stuff with my two boys and my husband is working on his own recovery. God is working on us separately through City Union Mission, and we are thankful. We are looking forward to being together as a whole family.

I have been learning about communication and boundaries, which are really important for relationships in life. I knew that I needed to be changed, but honestly, I didn’t know how to do that because I grew up in a dysfunctional family in Korea. I didn’t even know what my problem was—for example, my passive-aggressive communication. I have been able to learn about myself and then try to choose the healthy way instead of running away from the problem. For example, I hate to ask and I used to stuff my feelings all the time because my parents told me to do that. But now, even though it’s not easy, I have tried to make changes using what I’ve learned through classes and counseling, His Word, and prayer.

I feel I’m so blessed to be here for this opportunity. I believe that God opened this door for my family.

(Chris B. is a participant in our New Life Program at City Union Mission)

God and City Union Mission Turned Our Life Around

At 59 and 53 years old, my husband, Ken, and I never imagined in our wildest dreams, that we would become homeless. Actually, we are houseless. We have no house, but we have a place to stay, where it is warm, inviting, and caring. That place is City Union Mission.

Since coming here in June 2011, our lives have completely turned around. It is all due to the caring staff employed here. On our own, we knew we were not, and still are not, strong enough to do what we have accomplished. We began the Mission program with the New Beginnings Covenant and then advanced to the New Life Program.

We have joined Bread of Life Outreach Ministries, and shortly afterwards, both of us were baptized. Again, something we didn’t think would ever happen. We have grown and continue to grow in Christ. He has been there for us, even through major health issues. City Union Mission Staff and housemates were there with us also. It is a great support system to have in place.

Becoming houseless/homeless was the best thing to ever happen to us. We owe everything to God for putting us here and to City Union Mission for doing what they love to do: HELPING PEOPLE!


(Lea Ann and her husband are participants in our New Life Program.)