Many low-income and needy Denver area children begin the school year without the supplies they need to participate in school. Because of this need in our community, the Mission is hosting a “Stuff the Bus” school supplies drive with FOX 31. New school supplies can be dropped off at The Crossing, the Lawrence Street Shelter or the Ministry Outreach Center July 21st through August 4th. Backpacks and supplies will be handed out to over 1,200 children at the Mission’s Back-to- School Carnival on Saturday, August 9th at The Crossing from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Please Donate:

❑ Erasers
❑ Rulers
❑ Glue sticks
❑ Ink pens
❑ Crayons
❑ Spiral notebooks
❑ Filler notebook paper
❑ Colored pens
❑ Colored markers
❑ Packs of #2 pencils
❑ Scissors (blunt)
❑ Yellow highlighters
❑ Pocket folders.

Dear Friends,
I asked Tom Matuschka to share some thoughts with you about his time as Harvest Farm Director. He left recently to become the CEO of Asian Hope, an orphanage in Cambodia.
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I’ll never forget the sound of 60 men singing hymns at morning devotions in the dining hall on May 16, 2001, my first day on the job as Harvest Farm Director. Each man had a different list of regrets, and each was hopeful and doubtful at the same time.

As I stood next to this group of singing men, I could hear in their voices different approaches to “new life.” One man was loud and strong, with a fine voice that matched his outgoing wit but hid some deep seated inadequacies. Another man sang softly, unsure of himself and of the words he was singing. I remember wondering if they saw the same in me.

The men of Harvest Farm are the same as me. They grew up hopeful, desired a good life, and pursued their dreams. They seized all that the world had to
offer and assumed it would lead to happiness. But they came to a place in life where they had a deep need for a savior—a savior powerful enough to transform them from the inside out, and to produce strength from inadequacy.

Jesus once asked his disciples if they were going to abandon him, as others had. They simply responded, “Where can we go? You have the words of life.” They knew that being with Jesus and experiencing life with Him was the deepest form of education they could enroll in. At the time they probably could not point to specific lessons learned, but they knew more about themselves,
and about life, and about love and ministry.

On May 16, 2008, seven years to the day, I completed my last day at Harvest Farm. Much like the men who graduate from the New Life Program, I am entering a time of transition. Harvest Farm has been a “program” of sorts for me, also. I know more of myself and life and love and ministry. And I am realizing that with new beginnings comes excitement mingled with fear and sadness. I now understand how the men feel as they transition away from Harvest Farm. It is hard to leave a sanctuary where you know that Jesus is at
work, but I leave with great anticipation of what is in store. I am privileged to have witnessed the work of God through the Mission and thank Him for giving
me this great opportunity!
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We wish Tom well.

God Bless!
Brad Meuli