We don’t always know what we need. But we usually know what we want. Men and women like Bradley, our featured story in our 2016 Summer Newsletter, want more than anything to their agony. Usually, long before people become homeless, they experience loss and trauma. In a desperate attempt to deal with the pain, they turn…
Read MoreBradley laughed at the dark irony. For the last 30 years, he justified his growing addiction with the shallow, comforting thought. “I might be an alcoholic. But no matter how bad it gets, I won’t be living in a tent or under a bridge.” But he was wrong. Walking out of the hotel with just a…
Read MoreEric held a steady job most of his life. His life wasn’t perfect, but he was getting by. He certainly never expected to be homeless. Addiction crept over Eric slowly, a seemingly harmless habit that snaked its tendrils deep into his heart. By the time he noticed, the grip was too tight to escape on…
Read MoreA note from Eric Bauer (Executive Director of Portland Rescue Mission) … God can do the impossible. But it is hard for us to believe that without seeing it first. Even Jesus’ most faithful followers abandoned hope when he was brutally killed. It didn’t matter that he had explained it all before, that he would…
Read MoreOur supplies of blankets and winter clothing to help people in need are running low. Will you help stock our closets at Shepherd’s Door, The Harbor and the Burnside Shelter? This winter, Portland Rescue Mission will provide warm clothing to countless people, easing their suffering and protecting their health. For people sleeping outside, we provide daily…
Read MoreAt only 15 years old, Delana’s life took a surprise detour recently at a youth conference with Village Baptist Church. As her fellow students each pulled a card that challenged them to do something “out-of-the-box” for God, Delana’s card took it to the next level. She was to simplify her life by selling all but…
Read More“Persimmon cookies,” says Vivian. “That’s what I remember most.” The warm, sweet smell of freshly baked cookies always filled young Vivian’s heart with such comfort. When her mom baked, the house seemed less empty, her mother less sad and distant. “My dad died when I was very young. My mom never remarried,” says Vivian. “I…
Read MoreA note from Eric Bauer (Executive Director of Portland Rescue Mission) … After a decade-long fulfilling career as an engineer in technology development, God interrupted my life with a call to serve people suffering on the margins of society. I never saw this coming nor understood where it would lead. But I knew it was…
Read MoreIt’s late at night at Shepherd’s Door, our New Life Ministry for women and children in northeast Portland. A woman comes downstairs, anxious and unable to sleep. She has a court date tomorrow to find out if she’ll gain custody of her children now that she’s in recovery. Darlene, a night-shift staff member, invites her…
Read MoreCold rain pelted John as he stared blankly at the endless gray sky. He’d barely slept. Two weeks sleeping on the same patch of sidewalk left his joints stiff and muscles aching. “God, help me,” he whispered, rubbing his tired eyes. Up the street, a line was forming of people hungry for breakfast at the…
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