A FATHER'S LOVE: A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LA MANDA BROYLES
JUNE 2022 NEWSLETTER
Father’s Day is a time of great celebration for many people. When we think of Father’s Day we tend to think of barbecues, outdoor activities, and spending time with Dad to let him know how much he means to us. For many of us, our fathers are one of the most significant relationships of our entire lives and we can’t imagine our life without them.
But at TRM, we encounter many people who have never known the love of their father. Many of our guests have experienced neglect or abuse at the hands of their fathers, and many more have lost their fathers due to struggles with addiction, trauma or poor life choices. Whatever the reason, many of our guests have either lost or never had a caring earthly father and these deeply felt challenges cause days like Father’s Day to be one of pain, rather than joy.
But at TRM we believe that no matter what our experiences are with our earthly fathers, God has loved us since before we were made. We believe God has a fatherly love for each of us that runs so deep, He sent his only son to die on the cross for our sins and give us eternal life. It is our honor and privilege to share this love with each person who comes to us: from the fathers who come to TRM in their darkest moments, to the single parents who provide the love of both a mother and a father to their children, to those who have never known a parent’s love. As we share the love of our Heavenly Father with our guests and those in need we begin to see their lives become transformed!
We also recognize the incredible ways our Heavenly Father has provided for TRM and all those we are called to serve. Every day we see His protection, His love, and His grace - both in the individual stories of the people who come to us and in the collective ways we have seen TRM grow into a place of refuge for so many who are struggling, suffering, and broken.
This Father’s Day we encourage you to realize that no matter what your experiences have been with your earthly father, there is a Father in Heaven who is always there to forgive, to lead, and to love. A Father who will never leave us or forsake us, and we know we can find Him through reflection, prayer, and reading his Word of love to us.
As we move forward into the future of TRM, we give glory to our Heavenly Father for allowing us to be instruments of love in the lives of those we serve, and we want to thank YOU for your love and support as you help us demonstrate the kind of love that surpasses human understanding. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission to show incredible love to all those who walk through our doors!
“As God has said: I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord…And I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
II Corinthians 6:16-18
Q&A WITH LA MANDA AND BARRY
LA MANDA BROYLES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Q: What have your first 30 days as Executive Director meant to you?
The past 30 days as Executive Director have truly been some of the most impactful (and busy) times of my life! The various outpouring support of the community (thank you cards, meet and greets, the intentional words of affirmation and heartfelt prayers) has impressed upon my heart how much TRM is valued, supported, and needed in our community. This is a responsibility I humbly am thankful for and consider it a blessing to see God work for people and through people everyday!
Q: What is your biggest takeaway, or “Aha” moment from your first 30 days?
Each week I get to review each thank you letter we send out to donors and any communication that has been attached to the donation. Reviewing the donations, reading the notes and prayer requests sent with the donation from our community, has touched my heart in a special way. I take those communications very seriously and am thankful to be a small part of those who are reading this when I get to pray for you or provide a personal response to a note you’ve sent. It’s important that we at TRM lift our community up in prayer and support our community the same way you all do for us.
BARRY FEAKER, FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Q: What have the first 30 days in your new supportive role been like for you?
First, I’m delighted and confident that La Manda is the right person to lead TRM into the next generation of ministry in Topeka. I’ve enjoyed being available to La Manda to answer questions and process current and future operations for TRM. Stepping back from the leadership role after 36 years has helped me to see in a fresh new way how awesome our team of staff, volunteers and donors are to our community and those we serve.
Q: What are you most excited about in your upcoming journey with TRM?
As TRM enters into its 70th year of ministry in the Topeka area, I’m excited to watch the ministry build upon the accomplishments of the past and adapt to the growing needs and opportunities to serve our community through the tangible love of Jesus Christ. I’m excited and encouraged to see our community embrace our neighbors who are suffering in a new and refreshing way.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know Topeka Rescue Mission is a member of the CityGate network, an organization over 100 years old which comprises approximately 300 missions and kindred ministries throughout North America? TRM joined CityGate nearly 70 years ago in 1953. One of the many purposes of the CityGate network is to help facilitate communication, education and training among similar rescue ministries. In 2018 TRM was awarded the prestigious CityGate Network Award for exemplary efforts of both service to those in need as well as the positive relationship it has with its community.