Changed Lives

https://soundcloud.com/mybridgeradio/god-at-work-crossroads-bev

 https://soundcloud.com/mybridgeradio/god-at-work-crossroads-alena

Danny spent a lot of time in his ’84 Dodge pickup truck.  He loved that truck, and practically lived in it.  And he almost died in it – twice.

He slept in the truck once when temperatures hit a record 30-below zero – more than cold enough to kill a man – and yet he somehow survived.

Another time, he had a massive heart attack in the truck, an attack so severe he turned blue and stopped breathing several times.

By divine providence, Danny just happened to be right outside Crossroads Mission Avenue when his heart failed.  Someone saw him slumped forward over the steering wheel, ran inside and yelled, “Call 9-1-1!”

Daniel Buller, the executive director at the Mission, ran outside, round Danny lying on the ground and started CPR….and kept it up till the ambulance arrived.  Paramedics told Buller that he had certainly saved Danny’s life.

Danny, who had a long battle with intermittent homelessness and has been in and out of Crossroads for years, was grateful for the Mission’s unconditional love and support despite his ongoing struggles.

After every setback, he kept returning to Crossroads, “because I think there’s some reason I’m supposed to be here,” he said.  “I feel God has something more for me, and it’s here at Crossroads.”

Danny was saving his money to someday buy a trailer and drive across America.

“But,” he said with a laugh, “I think maybe I ought to get a newer truck.”

In the spring of 2021, we received the sad news that Danny had passed away.  We continue to share his story to honor his life and to encourage others.

Listen to Charles’ story at https://soundcloud.com/mybridgeradio/god-at-work-crossroads-3

A Nebraska winter is no time to be living on the streets. But that’s just where Kevin found himself when he lost his housing situation.

With a history of substance abuse and nowhere else to turn, he decided to give Crossroads Mission Avenue a try. He waked in, filled out an application, and wondered just how things would turn out.

Turns out, better than he could’ve imagined.

Today, Kevin is clean, responsible and excited about the path he’s on. It’s a road to better things, compared to the road to ruin he once walked.

“I don’t know where I’d be today without Crossroads,” he says. “I’m pretty sure I would have ended up going down that bad road and I wouldn’t get back again. Crossroads has really made a difference in my life.”

Kevin has taken on more responsibilities and leadership at the Mission. He helps maintain the house, supervises nightly bed checks, and holds his fellow residents accountable.

“I just try to help the other guys out,” he says. “It’s a great opportunity, and good experience.”

Kevin’s hopes for the future include getting closer to God, staying sober, and serving those who are in need. ” I’d like to become part of the staff at Crossroads,” he says.

“They’ve helped me out, and I’d like to do the same for others.”

If he could, Kevin would thank you personally for supporting the mission.

“I believe in Crossroads,” he says. “There’s not much out there that gives people hope and faith, but Crossroads has given me all that.”

Thank you for being a source of hope and faith to Kevin and so many others!

My name is Nick. Coming to Crossroads was the best decision I ever made. Because of my former related activities – things like burglaries, car thefts and possessions of drugs – I did eight years in prison. I kept thinking I would always get away with it. I figured I was both invisible and invincible. But when you’re on drugs you think you can get away with anything. Now I know how wrong-headed I was about all that, but that’s how I lived for way too long. The only time I was sober was when I was sitting in county jail or some prison.

Over the years my family tried to help me, but they finally gave up….and why not? I stole from them, and did whatever I had to do to support my habit. Then one day, God directed my steps to Crossroads Mission Avenue. As you read this it’s my prayer that I’m still walking the straight and narrow. But I know it will always be a challenge to do the right thing.

Here I’m learning more about the Christian Life

At the Mission, I have the opportunity to know what the Christian life is all about. The thing I enjoy most is the morning devotions. It’s like listening to what the Lord has to say to me every day. In the old days I would get up, look for my fix, and then decide what criminal activity I would engage in that day. Now, my thoughts each morning are focused on the Lord and the plan. He has a plan for my life today.

Finally, I want to thank you for the time, money and influence that you provided to help keep the doors of Crossroads open for someone like me. I will always be in your debt, so I hope you accept my heartfelt gratitude for helping me get back on my feet.

When I came to Crossroads back in September, I had nowhere else to go with my husband and kids. I was in such a deep depression with losing my job, our house, giving up our two wonderful dogs and losing three of my closest family members in the past year.

Crossroads Mission Center has brought me so far in so little time. They have given me the resources for personal counseling and classes to better my life when my family and I get out on our own again. All the staff is wonderful to us.

Devotion time is very spiritual to me. It lifts my spirits and gets me motivated in the morning. Also, since I have been here I have found Jesus again. On January 10th of 2010 my family and I went to church for the first time in 6 years at the North Shore Assembly of God Church. I had a spiritual, uplifting, emotional experience. I was able to finally let go of the ones I lost a year ago. I knew they were fine and doing wonderful in God’s world.

Crossroads Mission Center is a wonderful place to come and find yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually. Thank you for all you have done for my family and I and for all the services you have provided.

I grew up in Columbus, NE. I was always a good kid up until I graduated high school. I joined the Marine Corps when I was 17 and was kicked out for smoking marijuana the night before I left for boot camp. After that my life was a disaster.

I began using drugs and drinking alcohol like water. I had no goals. I had no relationship with God. I spent about 2 years in jail and the night before I was to be released a buddy of mine that I met in jail told me about Crossroads.

It is an AMAZING place. I since have accepted Jesus Christ into my life and things couldn’t be better. With Jesus anything is possible.

I am a full-time college student and will earn a degree in about 2 years. It’s amazing how when you finally get saved by our Lord God, the doors and possibilities that are available to you. I never planned for my life to be like what it has. It has been tough and I now look forward to the challenges that await me. I owe this to God and to Crossroads.

When I first came to Crossroads, I was broken; financially, physically, emotionally, but mostly spiritually. The staff and volunteers at Crossroads have guided me back onto the right path, shown and taught me new skills and have treated me with the utmost respect and dignity. The Christian atmosphere and faith-based programs have not only brought me back to the Lord, but have taken me to a higher level of Christianity. God bless Crossroads and staff. They will forever be in my prayers. The community and surrounding areas are so blessed to have such an incredible facility available.