Volume 10, Number 6
November 2007 THE BOWERY MISSION’S
RED DOOR
T r u e s t o r i e s f r o m t h e MISSIO N : L i v e s c h a n g e d e v e r y d a y s i n c e 1 8 7 9
Holiday spirit all year long p. 2
“My Christmas wish...” p. 3
Holiday meal ticket ENCLOSED
Give food, hope and love this holiday season!
1-800-BOWERY-1
www.bowery.org
SELLER’S
REMORSE
Former drug dealer admits, “If I had only known ...”
D
uring his 10 years in
the army of Suriname,
a small South
American country, Winston
Pengel was part of four military
coups. During this time, he
says the military participated in
cocaine trafficking. Winston
didn’t mind selling drugs. He
liked the money.
Then he moved to New
York to find the excitement and
prosperity he’d seen on TV. He
says he tried cocaine because
he was lonely, and became
instantly addicted. Within three
months, he had lost everything Winston began selling drugs when he was a soldier in
and was homeless. South America. Then he became an addict — and saw
That was his first Christmas firsthand the way it can destroy lives.
in New York.
“I became a victim of cocaine,” he Christmas like that.”
says. “Now that I have seen what cocaine Still, it took another decade for
does to people, I feel sorry about selling it. Winston to hit rock bottom.
If I had known, I wouldn’t have done it.” He came to The Bowery Mission for
“I went three days without food. food and a bed — but what he found was
God showed me where to go eat and get hope.
a roof over my head. I spent Christmas “For the first time my heart opened
in a shelter. Never thought I’d have a (continued on page 3)
 SELLER’S REMORSE

“My Christmas wish ...”

(continued from p. 1)

up, and God changed me,” he says. “I had

to get honest with myself and honest
with God.”
Winston has been working hard at

Folks in the Mission lunch room share their holiday dreams ... his recovery. His graduation will be in
February. He has a job and apartment
Leaving the Light On lined up. And he and his long-time
A word from Ed Morgan, President “United Nations will girlfriend have set a wedding date.
end Al Qaeda.” Next Christmas will likely be his best
Holiday spirit all Mike, lunch guest Christmas ever.
year long “An apartment. My health.” It all started with a $1.59 meal
Thomas, lunch guest that you provided. Are you making a
I love the holidays. It’s the time of
difference in the lives of hurting people?
year people are most willing to think
Absolutely! Keep up the good work! God
of others. I wish we had that spirit
bless you this holiday season.
all year long. When I look back and
think of the special things I’ve done
for others — my family, myself, the
Immediate needs
less fortunate, my country, my church
— those are the kinds of things I wish Shelter needs:
I’d done so much more of in my life. • Towels
We spend • Twin-size sheets, pillows
“When I look
so much time
back and think
managing things.
Basic toiletries:
of the special • Toothpaste, toothbrushes
Things possess us.
things I’ve done I want to spend “To be off the street.” • Soap, shampoo, razors
for others ... “That my family James, lunch guest
more time on
... those are the people, who
Interview clothes:
would be restored.” • Suits, ties, dress shoes, shirts
kinds of things are eternal. ReJane, lunch guest
“To make it to
I wish I’d done Homeless and
Christmas.”
Tutors:
so much more troubled people are • For the Career Center
especially drawn Pasqual, lunch guest
of in my life.”
to the holiday spirit Winter clothes:
here at the Mission. They can feel • Sweaters
the good will. They miss the touch of • Long-sleeve shirts
family. Yes, they come because they • Coats, hats, gloves
are cold and hungry, but they also • Boots, socks
come because they ache for belonging • Men’s underwear
and community.
Please help us share the holiday love
and spirit with hurting, hungry people
Thank You!
For more information or to donate,
this year. Yes, your gifts provide call 1-800-BOWERY-1.
the practical items like food, shelter,
clothing. But especially at this time
of year, your gifts arrive loaded with
Christmas spirit. And we can feel that
all year long. 227 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
“That my son will live until Christmas. Ed Morgan, President
Thank you. He is on his second heart surgery — “All of my family to be together again.”
Get more info online!
he’s four months old.” “To be with friends and family.” “College admission.” “Red Rider BB gun.” Visit our website: www.bowery.org.
Buddy, staff Elizabeth, staff Senior high choir volunteers from Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta, GA The Bowery Mission is a member of the Christian Herald Association.
In their own words:
Real Stories from The Bowery Mission
Tannisha’s counselor
told her, “If God gives
you talent and a dream,
you should pursue it.”
dream was to be a singer. She people here. Then I went for
Part 3 of 3: didn’t tell me it was ridiculous. an audition. I sang “Jesus I
She knew about a gospel Love You,” and another song I
Gospel Music is singing wrote myself. I got in!
Good News I hadn’t sung group for
teens.
I just graduated from the
beginners class to the advanced
for anyone
By Tannisha Wilson It’s a class. After that, you go into
since I was a scholarship the performance choir that
LAST ISSUE: Feeling trapped kid. I was too choir for travels the world!
and hopeless, Tannisha bought
scared. at-risk I just got a job working as
a bus ticket for New York —
youth, a receptionist for a big music
and ended up at the Mission.
run by a lot of famous gospel company here in New York.
singers, Grammy winners and That could be a stepping
My Mission counselor stuff. But you have to try out. stone, too.
kept asking me what I wanted I hadn’t sung for anyone since A year ago, I was alone
to do. Did I have any dreams I was a kid. I was too scared. in New York, homeless,
for the future? One day, I told But she just kept encouraging with no plans. Now, I have a
her what I hadn’t said out loud me. Finally, I got up the nerve new family and hope for a
to anyone in years. My secret to sing for a small group of great future.

Can you help? New Yorkers care!

Holiday food still needed Dinner at The Bowery Mission is as close
to home as many down-and-out people will
get this holiday season.
6,300 lbs. of meat 4,500 loaves of bread Because you care enough to
380 dozen eggs 335 lbs. of sugar give, we can offer the less
225 lbs. of butter 110 lbs. of coffee fortunate love, a sense of
Return the holiday meal ticket today. family and a hot, delicious
Thank you! meal. Thank you!

Ed, don’t let lonely, poor q $15.90 to provide 10 holiday meals and other care.
men, women and children go q $31.80 to provide 20 holiday meals and other care.
hungry during the holidays. q $63.60 to provide 40 holiday meals and other care.
I’ll help feed them with my q $119.25 to provide 75 holiday meals and other care.
enclosed gift of:
Thank you! Please mail your tax-deductible check
Name_____________________________________________________ with this meal ticket to: The Bowery Mission,
Murray Hill Station, P.O. Box 2000, New York, NY
10156-1999. Questions? Call us at 1-800-BOWERY-1.
Address __________________________________________________ www.bowery.org

City ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
State _____________________________ ZIP ___________________

E-mail _____________________________________ o Home o Office