Please, I'm So Cold!

"If the weather was really bad, I would drink as much as possible so I wouldn't remember being stuck out in the cold. If I was sober and sleeping in the cold, the loneliness was overwhelming," says Tom, a resident at Northlands Rescue Mission.

I don't have to tell you the temperature in North Dakota and Minnesota can plunge as low as 60 degrees below zero! Here in the Grand Forks area, our average high for the winter months rarely reaches above freezing. For the homeless who are exposed to these extremes without the right kinds of clothing, the weather isn't simply uncomfortable; it can be brutal and even deadly.

Now in his early 40s, Tom has done his share of sleeping on the streets and under overpasses. "The cold hurts. You get strange thoughts like you wish you'd just freeze to death so you wouldn't feel it anymore." But God had other plans for Tom . . . and led him to Northlands Rescue Mission.

Tom had been an alcoholic for nearly half his life. He also suffered a medical condition that compelled him to add prescription drugs to the mix. Finally, his addiction led to divorce and kept him from holding a steady job or maintaining a home.

Tom initially came to the Mission for warm, safe shelter and a good meal—but he was blessed with so much more. Through our Christ-centered counseling and guidance, he overcame the addiction that had ruled his life and renewed his relationship with God. Tom says the staff also does everything possible to help struggling men and women rebuild their lives. "Getting your ID or birth certificate . . . medical care . . . job-skills training . . . financial counseling . . . referrals to local resources. It's a great stepping stone in the right direction. But you have to be willing to work."

And Tom is working very hard. He's looking for full-time employment so he can get an apartment of his own and take his place as an independent and productive member of our community.

Tom doesn't even like to think about what might have happened if God hadn't led him to the Mission. He knows the homeless are especially susceptible to cold-weather conditions like frostbite and hypothermia. And alcohol consumption—because it feels like it's warming the body—can have even more tragic consequences in frigid temperatures. That's why we typically see a rise in the number of people seeking assistance this time of year.

As we head into the most dangerous season for homeless neighbors like Tom, Northlands Rescue Mission is grateful for your generous support, which enables us to provide life-saving shelter from the elements . . . and to warm cold hearts with Christ's love. God bless you for your gift today.

Other Ways You Can Help!
Volunteer to prepare and serve a meal for our guests and residents.
Coordinate a drive and collect items we need most this time of year.