March/ April 2009

THE PATH NEWS

A Publication of The Path of Citrus County * www.pathofcitrus.org * Issue 2 - Volume 3

“Dear friends, now we are

children of God, and what
we will be has not yet been
made known. But we know
that when He appears, we
shall be like Him, for we
shall see Him as He is.”
—1 John 3:2 NIV —
Diamonds in the Rough
“Diamonds in the rough”: that is how Malissa, Crystal and Melanie describe them-
selves. All three are in their twenties. Rough, turbulent beginnings—and now, sheltered
at The Path together, undergoing positive transformation in their new walk with Christ.
In spite of losing parents at young ages, battles with poor choices and self-destructive
behaviors, these young women are finding courage, hope and strength together.

Seeing them through eyes of love, patience and a little bit of time to absorb their new life at The Path,
you catch a glimpse of the beauty and possibilities within them. Consider the significance of Christ’s death on
the cross, His glorious resurrection, the hope and peace we all have available to us, as they share how The Path
has changed them:

Malissa
Before The Path: Lost Melanie
Today: Renewed Before The Path:
Weak
“My mom has been gone for two years
Today: Still weak—
now. What I have learned is to tell your
mom how much you love her because it
but a little stronger
may be the last time. I wish I could tell than before
her how much I loved her, and that in the “Growing up was … well,
end she made up for not being around Malissa tough. My father was hard
when I was younger. This makes me to get along with and made
think about my role as a mom. I regret me feel invisible. I was ok
not having my kids with me right now. until my mom passed
Melanie
Looking back, there are many things I away four years ago. Af-
wish I could change... At The Path, ter that, I stopped feeling
I’ve learned [Continued on Page 2] anything but pain and an-
ger and I kept it all inside. Rebecca
Crystal (Women’s Administrator) tells me I
have to open up and let it out. It’s
Before The Path: Trust no one! hard. If there was one thing I could
Today: Filled with hope change about my life, it would be to
Crystal
“My birth mother abandoned me and my have my mom back. Since coming to
sister at a very young age, and we were The Path, people show me
placed in foster care. My foster mother [Continued on Page 2]
adopted us both and raised us. But I was
very stubborn and rebellious. I refused ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
to listen to anybody. I did some hurtful
things to my (adopted) mom and ended The Path Spotlight
up leaving home and living on the
streets. What I would change about my
Director’s Corner
life was being such a pain and not keeping Cyclist Raises Funds
my mouth shut, causing so much trouble. My mom was only
trying to help me, and I kept pushing her away. While at The Path for Hire
Path, I’m beginning to understand [Continued on Page 2] and more . . .
 Malissa’s Story (continued from cover)
how strong I am. I’ve realized that God can change anyone.”

Malissa is encouraged by Rebecca, Kristy (Path office manager) and

other staff new to their Christian life, acquainted with custody or visita-
tion issues, and separation
from their children. Her
new goal is to become a
Certified Nurse’s Assistant Crystal’s Story
(CNA) this spring. (continued from cover)
what my mom was going through. Before The Path, I
found my answers in drugs and alcohol. Now I know I
Melanie’s don’t need those. The Bible helps me with my relation-
ships. At first, I turned away from Christ. The hardest
Story thing for me was to drop everything and surrender.
(continued from cover) Now that I have? God is awesome!”
that I have a Father upstairs who cares about me. I’m still
Crystal is job-searching, and continues to
learning who God is, and I struggle with understanding
rebuild her relationship with her mom.
that I have a loving Father in Jesus and a ‘family’ in
She has been drug and alcohol free for
Christ who loves me, too. Rebecca and Kristy have
over four months. At The Path, she chal-
helped by sharing their own experiences with family con-
lenged herself to quit smoking. Crystal
flicts and loss of a parent.”
has been cigarette-free for 35 days.
Melanie is cautiously optimistic, but smiles more each
day. With support from The Path’s individual and group
counseling, and loving guidance from her “Path Family,”
she begins the healing process from her painful past.
Next to the picture of Jesus taped above her bed is a piece
of paper with “March 2 at 10:15pm” written on it. It’s the
day Melanie gave her heart to the Lord and was saved.

Malissa, Crystal and Melanie offer these words to anyone walking a similar path:
“Take one day at a time. God is awesome and He can use us all to help others. Don’t follow in our
past life’s footsteps—stay strong, and don’t let the bad choices win. If we can make it, so can you!”

With Christ’s help and your generous gifts of love, we will continue our mission to rescue the many
“diamonds in the rough” like them. God bless you for your part in their lives.

Home Sweet Home Remember Robin? She was featured in our

newsletter last fall. Today, Robin has successfully graduated from The Path’s program. She
is employed, and has found a mutually beneficial living arrangement here in our community.
An elderly member of a local church needed assistance with driving at night and help around
the house. Robin needed a good home for herself and her daughter, with an environment
promoting her continued progress and renewed Christian faith. Today they regularly attend
church together and Robin is about to become a new member. It was a match made in
heaven! If you know of someone who might benefit from a similar
live-in arrangement, please call 527-6500.

2 THE PATH NEWS


The Path Spotlight
Special Thanks to All Our Volunteers
Thank you hardly seems enough for the wonderful people who con-
tribute their time, faith, special skills and talents—and yes, even
their building space--to help make a better life for the men, women
and children who find shelter at our mission. You are well-loved
and appreciated for all you do!
Citrus County
Cy clist Raises Funds
resident Julia Michael (pictured left) again cycled
126 miles to complete JOY FM’s 2009 Bike Ride for the Home-
less on February 20-21. Julia shared her past firsthand experi-
ence with homelessness in an interview on JOY FM. Today,
with Christ in her life Julia has changed dramatically and desires
to use her experience with homelessness as an example of hope.
She chose to ride for The Path because she had met many peo-
ple from our mission at her Wednesday
evening church services. When she
learned of the JOY FM Bike Ride, she
wanted to help. “It seemed to me that
The Path wasn't just about giving hand-
outs but truly giving a hand up: Doing
what God says we are to do— give to
the poor, the homeless, the hungry, the
widows and the children.”
Thank you, Julia, for blessing The
Path with over $500!
Director’s Corner
Dear Friends of The Path,
It’s true. We get the people no one
else wants. Parole officers,
spouses, mothers, the judicial and
mental health systems—all have
written off the many people who come through our doors.
But I’ll tell you who hasn’t written them off: Jesus
Christ. The Bible tells the story of a master who sent his
servant to “go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the
city, and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the lame
and the blind.” Sounds like our team here at The Path...
That’s why Easter is such a great time to reach out with
God’s love. Especially this year. We can offer hope
when others have turned their backs, walked away and
locked the door. It gives us an opportunity to tell others
about Jesus and salvation.
I’d like to extend a challenge to you: we have found
three buildings that could greatly expand the shelter and
our services to many more like Malissa, Crystal and
Melanie. With these buildings, we have the opportunity
to create jobs and safe places for them to stay. Won’t
you consider investing in these purchases?
Your return on investment is eternal.
In His Service,
DuWayne Sipper, Executive Director
“I will be your God through
all your lifetime…
I made you and I will
care for you.”
Isaiah 46:4 TLB
THE PATH NEWS 3
 Urgent Need Alert : Dentist Board of Directors
Gary Bryant
Several Path shelter clients need immediate
President
dental care. If you are a dentist or know of one, and (352) 344-3100
have a heart to meet our needs by volunteering your services, please call Kathryn Sipper
at 352-522-0514. Maybe you would like to contribute towards the cost of dental services Brian Ludwick
Vice President
instead. Our men and women at the shelter would be very grateful.
(352) 563-6508
Thank you for your generosity!
Path for Hire Connie Lobel
Treasurer
Moving? (352) 726-3200
Relocating your business?
Maria Converse
Need an estate clean-out? Secretary
Hire The Path to help you! Support our mission by (352) 586-5087
calling 527-6500 for information on hiring The Path to
Stuart Green
move your residence or business, or clean out an estate. We have the manpower and Board Member &
the trucks. Quality service, reasonable rates! Be a blessing to the men at our shelter. Past President
Don’t delay—Call today! (352) 637-3585
Path Farm Update Roscoe Holly
Looking for a unique volunteer project for yourself or group? Why not help Board Member
out at our farm? With 10 acres of loaned farmland from Hernando Church of the (352) 795-2271
Nazarene, The Path is using worm castings, bees and Mark Stone
other environment-friendly methods to grow organic Board Member
fruits and vegetables to feed our clients (who are (352) 746-2626
often malnourished when they arrive at the shelter), Dick Windle
and to support other food pantries in the community. Board Member
(352) 489-4167
The Path’s farm is just about finished with an
DuWayne Sipper
abundant winter crop of organically-grown broccoli, collard greens, romaine lettuce, and
Executive Director
mustard greens. For the spring harvest, our mission planted over 200 seedling trays of (352) 527-6500
carrots, tomatoes, radishes, salad greens and other vegetables.
Administrative Offices
Our crops are available for purchase by local restaurants, caterers and 27 S. Melbourne
health food stores. Help support The Path’s mission for the homeless. Beverly Hills, FL 34465
Call 527-6500 for more information. Phone: (352) 527-6500
Store
Path Shelter Bargain
Fax: (352) 746-6746

Wanted: Donations of gently used Mailing Address

PO Box 3024
furniture, appliances and other items Inverness, FL 34451-3024
for The Path Shelter Bargain Store!
Bargain Store
Visit our website’s new Bargain Store page for more in- 1729 W Gulf to Lake Hwy.
Lecanto, FL 34461
formation about donations, and view a sample of our new
Hours: Mon - Sat
or discounted items online at www.pathofcitrus.org. 9 AM - 5 PM
Your purchases make a difference in the lives of the For pick-up, call:
homeless men, women and children at The Path shelter! (352) 746-9084

www.pathofcitrus.org
ASSOCIATION OF GOSPEL RESCUE MISSIONS www.agrm.org