For obvious reasons, I’ve been thinking a lot about the next generation – the influence we have on them, the influence they have on us.

When young people begin to see the world with God’s eyes, they can have a powerful impact. Let me tell you about three pre-school boys who recently visited the Union Gospel Mission. First, Jacob. Our events coordinator, Laurie Willson, was called to the back dock on a recent cold morning to meet this blonde-haired, blue-eyed four-year-old. Jacob, she was told, wanted to do something to help the hungry. Laurie leaned over and came face-to-face with a little guy zipped up to his nose in a warm, red coat. Jacob dug deep in his pocket and pulled out three nickels. Quietly, he stretched his hand out to Laurie with his gift to help the hungry -- fifteen cents.

Secondly, meet Isaiah and Gabriel.  Together with their mom, these brothers brought homemade cookies to the Men’s Shelter and sat in the day room handing them out. The cookies tasted delicious, but the real gift was the love and concern these two boys showed. It was impossible to encounter them without smiling.

Jacob, Isaiah and Gabriel visited the Mission the same week an article appeared in the Spokesman Review on the rising number of homeless children in Spokane. According to the article, more than 1,000 homeless children are enrolled in Spokane Public Schools.

Friends, as I reflected on 2009, the increase in demand for our services clearly struck me, and to be honest, my first reaction to this evidence of our struggling economy was a bit gloomy. I’m not sure things are going to get better any time soon. Then I thought about Jacob, Isaiah and Gabriel.  I thought about the record numbers of individuals interested in our volunteer classes and how the phones rang off the hook with people eager to serve over the holidays. Finally, I thought about the outpouring of support we received from the community in November and December, and I remembered an age-old truth. When times are tough, sensitivity and awareness increase. We realize how fragile we really are and how easily circumstances can change. God uses a struggling economy to soften hearts and turn people’s focus onto those hurting more than they are.

Every day I am encouraged by God’s faithfulness and your generosity. I hope your reflections on 2009 and your outlook on 2010 will be colored by the encouraging stories in this issue of Mission News. Young people – from pre-school to college – are stepping out of their comfort zones to show love and concern for the poor.

Serving together,

Phil Altmeyer
Executive Director