Decades of hard labor in shipyards down south had given Wayne plenty of injuries . . . and an addiction to painkillers. Desperate to change his life, he turned his car toward Nashville, looking forward to fresh opportunities. But getting a job proved elusive and Wayne began to lose hope along with his scant resources.

“Everything fell apart,” Wayne says, remembering how quickly life went from bad to worse in a new town where he knew no one. “It was a domino effect. My car got repossessed . . . and I was actually living in my car at the time.”

Facing homelessness in Nashville filled Wayne with terror. “What scares me the most is sleeping outdoors. That’s why I immediately came to Nashville Rescue Mission. I knew I’d never get off drugs without help. I knew I could come to the Mission and do what I had to do.”

A warm welcome and safe shelter took away the worst of Wayne’s fears. All around him, he saw the impact of Christ-centered care on the huge number of people seeking help and hope. “The Mission is an excellent place. They feed you and there’s spacious dorms to sleep in,” Wayne says, knowing it’s an important stepping stone for him.

Though actively looking for work, he is discouraged by the lack of offers. “But I’m being patient because I know I’m growing and I’m being prepared for something. I don’t know what it is yet . . . I’ve done shipyards and construction my whole life. Nashville is all about the hospitality industry, so my lack of experience in that area has made it hard to get a job.” But Wayne is trusting God as he leads.

Wayne wants the Mission’s supporters to know their gifts are impacting him in many ways. He says, “Nashville Rescue Mission has been great. I’m a completely different person than I was before I came here. I spend a lot of time in the chapel. I actually volunteer there.”

And while he has no doubt he will soon be back at work and living independently, Wayne encourages donors to continue doing all they can to help other people who may be in need. “Without Nashville Rescue Mission, so many people would have nothing, literally nothing . . . it’s either the Mission or the sidewalk.”

Thank you for giving generously today to share meals, help, and hope with people experiencing hunger, homelessness, and hopelessness!