Dear Friends,

The San Joaquin Valley is recognized as the Food Basket of the World. Many of our crops are shipped all over the world, thus we are known for the abundance, variety and delicious quality of the crops grown in this region.

Prior to the late 1930’s, that was not the case. Many parts of the Valley remained desert regions, with select grasslands and marshes.  For years the snow runoff from the mountains would cascade onto the Valley floor, flooding lower elevation areas while hillside elevations would remain dry. The first settlers knew that the ground was fertile soil - capable of producing an abundant crop yield, but without the ability to capture runoff and develop timely release systems for seasonal use, most of the soil would remain unusable, either flooded and stagnant or dry and thirsting. The answer: Reservoirs.

Reservoirs brought about the ability to store the Valley’s abundant runoff. However, if our reservoirs were merely a vessel to capture, they would be much like the body of water found in the Middle East. The Dead Sea has water flowing in, but has no outlet or means to pass it on. Thus, it is merely a stagnant, putrid pool. There is nothing that grows or lives in it. Without the ability to pour out, it remains of no use. It is dead. Therefore, it is imperative that reservoirs function with the intent to “pass on” their liquid gold, secure in the hope that new life and new growth is possible in ALL regions, even when none is thought possible.

Here at the Fresno Rescue Mission, our program participants have a unique opportunity. They are in a contained area for a time, filled with the life-giving Word of God. During their time here, the Holy Spirit gives them a yearning, a desire to be filled and bathed in the presence of God. When they humble themselves and seek the lower position, asking Jesus Christ to take over their life, they become a body in motion - God’s joy, love and peace pouring out. They can no longer contain the old nature in their being. Instead, they are renewed and transformed by the precious blood of Christ, desiring to give back and pour out so that they too are of use. They become mission-minded, with an overwhelming desire to tell others about the Giver of Life.

“… Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:37-38 (NKJV)

My friends, because of your generous support, the Fresno Rescue Mission continues to be a well-spring of life-giving water to those who are dry, who thirst for the truth. The hope we offer is a life-sustaining reservoir that renews and springs forth. As children of God, we are no longer dead, but are alive in Christ Jesus. Thank you for being a builder and supporter of God-loving, holy reservoirs! May God bless these new creations, so that someday our Valley may likewise be recognized as a “Bread Basket of the World!”

“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’” 
                                                                                    Luke 22:19 (NKJV)

In remembrance of Him always,

Rev. Larry J. Arce, CEO
Fresno Rescue Mission, Inc.

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”  John 6:35 (NKJV)