So many who have put ribbons on their cars, signs in their yards and wear T-shirts that say "Support Our Troops" have forgotten these troops once they returned home.  The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that in Missouri there are presently 13,549 homeless veterans for which the VA is only able to provide 96 vets.  In Illinois the VA states there are 19,943 homeless veterans for which the VA supplies 158 beds.

Growing numbers of these veterans are now turning to New Life Evangelistic Center for help.  James, who served two terms in Vietnam, writes, "After I came back from a second tour of Vietnam, life started to go down-hill because of serious mental problems and not being able to adjust to life on the streets and with marriage problems in which I lost contact with my children.  I had a good job which I lost when I came down with a nasty case of TB.  After that I tried to commit suicide.  After that I was committed to a mental ward for almost 4 months.  After I got out I heard about NLEC's training program.  I was really lost but since then, thanks to Christ's love working through this program, I have become a focused and calm person who has turned his life over to God."

Gary, who served in the army in both Vietnam and the Gulf War, says, "I ended up homeless because of chronic heart disease with the inability to work almost no jobs.  Then I joined the NLEC Vets program which has provided me with a port out of the storm.  This port has given me stability and the chance to get back on my feet." 

Joe said, "I served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam 11 1/2 months.  While over there, I got shell-shocked.  When I got home I got into a lot of trouble and served time.  The NLEC veterans programs is giving me a chance to get back into the human race."

When Steve, a homeless verteran, came to New Life Evangelistic Center, the back of his head was stitched up.  After he had come out of a seven-day coma the hospital then dropped him off at NLEC.  Now Steve is learning renewable energy and computer work in the NLEC training program. 

More and more homeless veterans are finding hope and help each day at the New Life Evangelistic Center.  In order for this program to continue, your help is urgently needed.  Without your immediate help, so many who were willing to give their lives to defend the freedoms you and I cherish will not get the help they need.  Your gift of $25, $50, $100, $500, $1,000 or whatever you feel led to give.  You may send your gift to NLEC at PO Box 473, St. Louis, MO 63166.  Your gift would be an answer to the prayers of many veterans who remain without homes and need the services of New Life Evangelistic Center at this time.  As you share, not only are the prayers of the veterans, but also those of their families who are not able to help them, are being answered.  Elvira writes, "Larry, I want to thank you very much for helping my son Roy, who is a disabled veteran."

Thank you for caring and sharing at this critical moment.

Yours in Christ,

Larry Rice

P.S.

Let me share one more statement with you along with a prayer that you will not just set this letter aside and forget the homeless veterans who today will be sleeping outside alone, without family or friends.  Dave, an U.S. Navy veteran states, "My descent into homelessness began when my wife of 26 years (and my business partner) passed away unexpectedly.  This long slow spiral into godless despair and waywardness, caused an inability to hold down a job or care what happened to me.  I truly believe God led me to NLEC.  By providing a lot of spiritual guidance, a place to live, food to eat, training in broadcasting, and a stable, peaceful place to live, NLEC restored my self esteem, my confidence and a solid sense of responsibility, which I had not experienced in many years.  If not for NLEC, I do not know what would have become of me."  Many more veterans need help now. Even more will need help in the future when our troops return from Iraq.