1
Volume 8, Issue 1
March 2017
FSBH Website: http://www.firststepbackhome.net
*** THE MIRACLE NEWS ***
First Step Back Home Newsletter
First Step Back Home
PO Box 966,
O’Fallon, MO
63366
So Many Good Stories To Tell!
By Paul Kruse
God has richly blessed us in Jesus’ name the 12 years of this ministry. March
marks the 12 year anniversary officially of service to the homeless and working poor
through First Step Back Home, Inc. It has been a rough ride at times, but the good
outcomes and many miracles from God made all the hard times worth it.
Contacts
Paul Kruse
636-466-1365
[email protected]
Lana Kruse
314-799-3694
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Melissa Huelskamp
[email protected]
Meal Coordinator
Kim Orf
636-219-5496
[email protected]
VISIT US ON SOCIAL
MEDIA!
Most people who follow our ministries know we started helping and serving the
truckers at the TA Truck Stop in Foristell, back in 2001 when we were part of an
outreach to that community starting a new church there. We had no clue at all that
God would give us several other ministries from that small beginning. More than
5,100 drivers have participated in weekly Christian worship services since that started, and they continue to be held weekly even now. Hundreds of great miracles
there led to many others later on in our history with God and His wonderful blessings in Jesus’ name!
One story people may not know is when a Spanish speaking trucker named Ricardo came to our service in 2012 or so. During prayer time he confessed that he was
on his way to kill his boss and wanted forgiveness. Of course we were shocked and
wanted to talk him out of it but we could hardly understand each other and I was
praying that a Christian Spanish speaking driver would come talk to him. To my
great surprise and relief, God sent one in at just the right time! He really showed us
this time and always that His timing is always perfect. God is great at performing
miracles when we least expect them! Long story short the other trucker talked to
Ricardo and he received Christ as his Savior and Lord a little while later and knew
it was wrong to kill his boss.
So we thought that was great and amazing, but God wasn’t done yet. Ricardo
came back the next week, which rarely happens. He was all cleaned up and shaven
with a huge smile on his face and a peaceful countenance. He told us he loved
Jesus and loved his boss and wasn’t going to kill him. The last blessing for us was
to baptize him with a bottle of water. What a completely blessed miracle of encouragement to us! He wanted to attend another service that morning, so we drove him
to a church nearby. That was the last time we saw him.
(Continued on next page)
https://www.facebook.com/firststepbackhome
https://twitter.com/1ststepbackhome
2
*** THE MIRACLE NEWS ***
V O L U ME 8 , I S S UE 1
So Many Good Stories To Tell!
(Con’t)
Now we have the homeless ministry, having helped more than 7,000 homeless, and seeing a 50% success rate
of clients becoming self-supporting. Last year we started a church service at the mobile home clubhouse where
our ministry has six mobile home units. God has sent us over $1.3 million in cash to do all this with over the
past 12 years! We can hardly believe this has happened to us. We were just trying to help a few people but it
seems like the more we spent on people the more God gave us.
Recently we had a couple with nine kids to help. Lana has written a story about them on Page 4 of this newsletter. But I don’t think she told the money part of it in detail. We had to rent two rooms for that size of family at
the cost of $500 per week. We told them we couldn’t afford to do that for very many weeks. So after the story
got out and on KDSK TV, enough money came in to pay for three months of motel time. Eventually they found
a little farm that they could afford. We always say, “God steps in, in a big way, when we say ‘this is impossible’
and quit.” We believe God likes to shine and do His thing when we are the most worried and at the end of our
rope and have no answers. What a God we have in Jesus’ name! Call me if you want to hear another three
hours of stories!
Mayors’ Charity Ball
FSBH is thrilled to be listed as one of five local charities to benefit from this year’s Mayors’ Charity Ball! Join
us there if you can and let us know you are there! We always love to encounter FSBH supporters and donors
in the community. Proceeds we receive will be used to enhance and further develop our mobile home project
aspect of the ministry.
3
*** T HE MI RA CLE NEW S ***
V O L U ME 8 , I S S UE 1
Give STL Day 2017
New Technology, New Platform, New Date!
Join us on May 11 for Give STL Day 2017!
It’s on! Once again, First Step Back Home, Inc. is participating in Give STL Day, which will be held on Thursday, May 11.
This year, the St. Louis Community Foundation has partnered with a new technology vendor, CiviCore, a developer with more than 15 years of experience managing high-volume giving day events. The fundraising platform contains innovative donor-friendly giving tools and robust backup and contingency systems.
Give STL Day is an online day of giving where nonprofits like ours will be reaching out to supporters like you, to
share our mission and raise funds. FSBH raised $6,600 last year in this one day! Give STL Day generated a
total of $2.15 million for more than 900 nonprofits in 2016, despite the technological challenges.
This year, with your help we are committed to make Give STL Day even more successful.
Everyone can be a philanthropist. On May 11, we’re asking every person in the St. Louis area to get behind
this effort and give. Large and small gifts will combine for big impact— It’s time to think big. All the funds raised
will benefit participating nonprofits right here in our hometown.
Local investment, effective solutions. The St. Louis Community Foundation is spearheading Give STL Day
and all funds raised will benefit known and trusted local nonprofits.
A virtual event with a personal touch. The Give STL Day website will make giving easy, safe and fun. By visiting givestlday.org on May 11, you can designate gifts to FSBH and other organizations of your choice that are
doing essential work in our community. At the same time, you can help us earn matching funds and prize dollars.
Visit www.givestlday.org for additional details, and don’t forget to give on May 11!
Thank you in advance for your support during this 24 hours of giving!
4
V O L U ME 8 , I S S UE 1
* * * T HE MI RA CLE NEW S ** *
He Lived!
Another Miracle Story
By Lana Kruse
On the morning of Feb. 4, 2017, a former client of ours, John, called home to tell his fiancé that he was going
to pull off the road and grab a cup of coffee because he was so tired after a long shift at work. He has a 50+
mile commute each day between St. Clair and Lambert Field where he works as an airline mechanic supervisor. Before he knew it, he found himself crashed into the back
of a parked semi on the exit ramp. He didn’t recall getting off at
the exit or knowing that the crash was about to happen. Police
had to use the jaws of life to get him out, ambulance came… off
to the hospital for surgery for a broken femur and crushed knee
cap. But, He Lived!!!
John is the sole breadwinner for his family with nine kids. He
had the only vehicle the family owned. Their home is out in the
country where cost of living is lower than around here, and
where they have space for their large family, two dogs, a couple
of cats and grounds for gardening.
We first knew John and his family when they came to us at
Economy Inn in December 2015. They stayed there in two
rooms for about 3 months while looking for a permanent place to
live, after moving here from south Texas for a job that didn’t pan
out once here. As a US Veteran, he had a veteran’s loan for
housing already approved, but struggled to find a home to meet their needs. FSBH helped them with food and
lodging, and many from the community came alongside of them when their plight became known after a KSDK
news story aired at Christmastime that year, due to the kids Christmas gifts being stolen out of his truck one
day.
Now, totally on another topic:
Mary Blodgett, of Lake St. Louis, heard about FSBH after her daughter, Mary Wagner, who works for Economic Development in St. Charles County, found our website and sent her the link. You see, the Lord
blessed Mary with a variety of items for her to distribute to the poor and needy that she helps. Her ministry
has primarily been in St. Louis and East St. Louis, but she lives in walking distance of our home! She had acquired two 20+ lb. turkeys, two bed pillows, three emoji kid pillows, two large bags of dog food, a bag full of cat
food and a laundry basket full of household items from a sweet friend named Nina, who had collected them
when Mary put out a Facebook request for items for the homeless prior to knowing about us.
Mary left a phone message for Paul, asking if we could use the turkeys. That phone call happened to come to
us on the same day I saw a Facebook post from John’s fiancé about his terrible accident. I had asked her
how we could help, and she texted “food, help with bills.” I asked what was the most pressing bill, and she
texted “Mortgage is due… Quite a bit, $1,301.” I texted back “I believe God is going to supply this need.”
When Paul asked me if we could use the turkeys I immediately thought we could take them to John’s family
so he called Mary and told her we could take the food. In a conversation with her about the work the Lord has
put before us, Mary asked how else she might be able to help that family. When he told her about the mortgage payment, she said, “I’ll pay that!” All we could say was, “Praise the Lord!”
(Continued on next page)
5
V O L U ME 8 , I S S UE 1
* * * T HE MI RA CLE NEW S ** *
He Lived!
(Con’t)
When we met Mary to pick up the turkeys and mortgage check, she also gave us the other items that Nina had
given her, because, of course, the Lord knew they also needed dog food, cat food, toiletries and pillows! John
told us when we delivered the items that he didn’t even have his own pillow, but had to share one with a few kids,
day after day. His little ones loved the emoji pillows, and the dogs and cats were happy too.
We asked Mary what prompted her to cover the mortgage payment and she shared with us that the Lord has
been gracious to her, and some recent new financial investments actually earned $1,300 the very day Paul had
his conversation with her! How about that for God’s miracles to bless others and letting us be the networker in all
this!
John and his family are very encouraged by how God has blessed them with the saving of John’s life in what
could easily have been a fatal accident, and for the provisions to help them make it through this trial in their lives.
In less than a month from the accident, he was already back to work, thanks to transportation assistance from a
co-worker who lived near them. They did not have adequate car insurance to replace their vehicle, so we’re all
still praying to see how the Lord will meet that need. Paul always says he never knows what a phone call will
bring. So many unique opportunities have come to us over the past 12 years. This one, connecting Mary in Lake
St. Louis, Nina—a Facebook friend of hers, and a needy family in St. Clair, is just one example!
How Did The Numbers Stack Up?
2016 Touchpoint Summary
When compiling data from services rendered last year, here’s some interesting stats.
CLIENTS:
HELPERS:
DONORS:


3,440—Volunteer hours spent
related to meals served
198—Individual Contributors

$25,800—Value of meals
served at motels

26—Churches and Community Groups who took meals to
motels







11—Private Foundation
392—Total people served
- 239—Households w/97 kids

918 Nights of lodging in 3 local
motels

34—Received phones/cell
minutes

103—Received assistance
with transportation/fuel

32—Received personal
care/prescriptions/clothing/gro
ceries

61—Received
rent/housing/utilities/repairs
assistance

10—Received legal fees assistance

5,000—Calls for help


344—Meal events

$33,792—Other in-kind donations
1,656—Volunteers providing
meals
26—Church Group Donors
22—Business Contributions
11—Community Group Contributors
2—Community Grants
20— Motel Meal Groups
6
*** THE MIRACLE NEWS ***
V O L U ME 8 , I S S UE 1
Local Business Blesses FSBH
With Luncheon
“National Random Acts of Kindness Day” was Friday, February 17, 2017. FSBH volunteers were treated
to a tasty luncheon hosted by Jessica Holloway of
Hawk Ridge Family Chiropractic, Lake St. Louis.
Jessica said, “We have chosen First Step Back
Home to honor on this day because of all the acts of
kindness that your volunteers perform to help the community.”
Each of these volunteers helps us make the ministry
function well, from helping with meals, donating furni-
ture and supplies to us, and taking care of bookkeeping and clerical functions. In 2016 more than 3440
hours of volunteer time was logged in our meals program alone!
Volunteers who attended the luncheon with Paul
and Lana Kruse were Kim Orf, Meals Coordinator;
Kathie Rezek, clerical support; Reba Smedshammer, crafter; Gina Press, meal provider; and Cindy and Chuck Kellison, Christmas event registration team leader and meal providers.
Donors Help Client with
Transportation Need
One day last February, at a Valentine Banquet at Grace Community Chapel we met Rod and Linda Gremond, who called
later to offer us two bikes that they no longer needed. It wasn’t
more than a week later that a client came to us needing transportation. We are so thankful when folks think of us when they
want to pass on
things!.
We were able to pass
one of the bikes
along to a very happy
homeless guy, William, who'd been
walking everywhere. He was so thrilled the bike came w/ a helmet,
spare tire, tool kit and mirror! His companion, Lindsey, has been
staying at the Salvation Army Shelter, but guys need to fend for
their own, so he’s in a tent nearby. We offered her the other bike,
but she declined. He now has a permanent full time job at a local
pizza restaurant in O’Fallon.
7
*** THE MIRACLE NEWS ***
V O L U ME 8 , I S S UE 1
Teddy Bears and Beyond!
During the holidays we got several calls
from groups wanting to adopt a family
for Christmas. One special outcome
was the creation of these precious
"Daddy Bears." Here's how it happened.
We had a family we were serving who
had five children and Mom. Dad had
died suddenly last July out of state and
when they got to St. Louis for his funeral
and burial here, we first helped them.
Mom said she'd like to have teddy
bears for the kids made from Daddy's
old shirts, and get a voice recorder in
each one with his words of love and laughter from a previously recorded video they had made earlier in the
year.
The Travel Gals from Lake St. Louis agreed to fund this project, and Keepsake Treasures agreed to create
the Bears. Laurie Schulte even decided to make a sixth bear for Mom out of pieces of fabric from each of
the kids' bears (the one in front). What a blessing it was Christmas morning for each of the kids and Mom
too!
The Travel Gals also provided Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Dinner and gifts for this family and two other
families at the mobile home park. Their blessings were “Teddy Bears and Beyond!”
Assumption School Teachers
Make Lunches
For the Poor
By Rachel Martin
Administrative Assistant
Every year during Catholic Schools Week, the Assumption School community chooses to highlight the
blessing that a Catholic education is in our community. As a way to celebrate our blessings the faculty participates in a service project to share our mission of “Learning, Loving and Living Christ.” This year the faculty of
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Day School has again chosen to make more than 200 sack lunches for the clients of First Step Back Home and Luke 923
Ministry. What a special honor for us to be able to support the worthy cause of these organizations to help the
homeless and working poor become self-supporting. We
offer these lunches with our prayers that God continues to
help and guide the clients and staff of this wonderful organization.
8
V O L U ME 8 , I S S UE 1
*** THE MIRACLE NEWS ***
Icy Weather Did Not Deter
Annual Christmas Wonderland
The First Step Back Home (FSBH) Eighth Annual Christmas Wonderland, held December 17, 2016, was
sandwiched in between two bitterly cold, icy, winter days last year. At one point we wondered if we could even
make this happen, but we had been all set up on Friday before the ice came in, and with the Saturday morning
forecast being above freezing we decided to go for it. Rescheduling would have been a Winter Nightmare itself, if it
couldn’t have happened as planned.
Even with the difficult weather forecast and winter weather advisories out, more than 385 folks showed up at
Wentzville United Methodist Church for the blessing and bounty! On hand to greet everyone were Wentzville
Mayor Nick Guccione, MO State Representative Bryan Spencer, FSBH Ministry Founder/Leader, Paul
Kruse, Mrs. Missouri, Heather-Kemper Hussey, Wentzville, American’s Miss US Tween Chloe Layton,
Wentzville, and Superman a.k.a “SuperKam,” Kameron Lenoir from Timberland High School). 265 needy
people from 90 families registered for gifts, filled laundry baskets, and diapers. In addition, 120 people from the
community representing 18 churches, 14 community groups and 11 businesses were on hand throughout the day
or contributed items for the success of the event.
Along with crafts, games, face painting and activities for the 120 children, the highlight for them was the arrival of
Santa, who had each one sit on his lap for a special moment and photo. Each child received a gift from Santa
and a stuffed animal; also, scarves, hats and gloves. Jim McCormick and his wife Barb made sure Santa knew
to show up at just the right time.
Parents shopped for Christmas gifts and household items in a dedicated area of the facility. The three hour event
featured party food prepared and served by ministry friends from Grace Community Chapel, led by Janice and
Mike O’Rourke and the “In His Service” group from First Baptist Church- Harvester.
Parents were able to “shop” for additional gifts at the end of the event, and more than 1000 gifts distributed
throughout the day. More than 400 toys had come from a drive at First Free Will Baptist Church, O’Fallon, 500
new sweatshirts and Christmas themed t-shirts were donated by the Tammy Stratman Brown Charitable Foundation, Wentzville, 75 teddy bears came from Lifeway Christian Bookstore, Bridgeton. Additionally 4,710 diapers from Harvester Christian’s “Wrap a Bottom” project, 3,000 diapers and 60 packages of wipes from the
Men’s Ministry at Wentzville United Methodist Church, nearly 90 filled laundry baskets, toiletry items, feminine
hygiene products, coats, gloves, hats, purses and donated clothing items were given away. Each family also received a $25 gift card that had been left by Santa at the end of the day.
At the end of the day, everything got wrapped up before the late
afternoon repeat performance of icy conditions and winds. Everyone got home safely and feedback received indicated that it
was truly another blessing for everyone involved!
Look on the FSBH website: www.firststepbackhome.net or
Facebook pages for photos from the day, and let us know how
you or your group would like to get involved for next year. There
is a particular need for groups to collect laundry/cleaning baskets, diapers and wipes, as well as toys to make this annual
event continue to meet the needs of the community.
Save the date now – Saturday, December 16, 2017. For information contact Lana Kruse: [email protected] or
314-799-3694.
9
*** THE MIRACLE NEWS ***
V O L U ME 8 , I S S UE 1
Neighborhood Gatherings
Bring Folks Together
FSBH has been instrumental in bringing the community of residents together at Rolling Meadows Mobile Home Park, O’Fallon, through several social activities. Thanks to a local donor
who wishes to remain anonymous, all food supplies have been
paid by him for these activities.
At Thanksgiving we hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner, attended
by more than 200 residents. Food was prepared and served by
friends from Gateway Church, St. Peters. Residents brought in
desserts and everyone wrote what they were thankful for on a
poster still on display at their clubhouse. Kids enjoyed coloring
when they weren’t eating turkey or pumpkin pie.
In December we sponsored a Breakfast with Santa
event. None of us were able to attend as it was the
same day as our 8th Annual Christmas Wonderland. However, we did supply donuts, French toast
sticks, cocoa and coffee, for about 100 who came.
Then in February the residents enjoyed a warm winter evening for a child focused Valentine’s Dance.
We supplied decorated cupcakes, cheesecakes,
cream puffs, candy and punch for the fun event. The
Neighborhood committee made chocolate candies
and decorated the clubhouse. Attendance was estimated to be 150.
Plans are underway for an Easter weekend BBQ and
Easter Egg Hunt on April 15th with a fundraiser element to create funds for expansion of the children’s
playground area.
10
*** THE MIRACLE NEWS ***
V O L U ME 8 , I S S UE 1
Recent Donor Acknowledgements
We want to thank several businesses, churches and community groups who have financially supported FSBH
through these recent gifts.


















$5,000 – Fleming Charitable Foundation
$2,500 - Central Presbyterian Church, Clayton
$2,500 – One Beacon Charitable Trust through Kirk Garrett, employee
$1,500 - Dardenne Presbyterian Church, Dardenne Prairie, to help with the personal needs of clients.
$1,000– St. John UCC, St. Charles
$1,000- Matching Gift from MasterCard from anonymous employee gift.
$1,000 – First Baptist Church - Harvester
$1,000 - Cuivre River Electric Cooperative Operation Round Up
$ 750 - New Life Nazarene Church, O’Fallon - $5 for each church visitor and Christmas Eve collection.
$ 500 – Expert Realty, Lake St. Louis—monthly charity donation drawing from client entries
$ 400 – VFW Post 10350, Lake St. Louis
$ 300 – Ladies Auxiliary Council 823 of Knights of Columbus, St. Charles
$ 250 – Tracy and Gina Balliet in honor of Paul Kruse’s 70th birthday
$ 224 - Thrivent Choice Dollars as allocations from Dennis Hall, Tina Koncki and Susan Bauer
$ 150 – St. John United Church of Christ, Weldon Spring—Bible Study Group
$ 120 – 100% match from donations to Network for Good, one day giving.
$
50 – Jerry and Jeanne Brown in honor of Dick and Lisa Marsh, Ballwin.
$
6 – Amazon Smile
We are so very thankful to all of you who think of donating to our public charity
when opportunities present!
11
*** THE MIRACLE NEWS ***
V O L U ME 8 , I S S UE 1
Motel Meals
By Kim Orf
Thanks to all our dedicated meal groups for their ongoing dedication to serving the families at the Economy
Inn in Wentzville. We have 17 groups that serve on a regular monthly basis, and some of them also fill in when
dates are open throughout the month, as well as about three groups that serve on an as-needed basis.
We would like to be able to fill all the open dates so there are no days that the families are without a hot meal.
The days that are open at this time: 1st Sundays, 1st Fridays, 1st Saturdays, 2nd Sundays, 2nd Tuesdays,
2nd Thursdays, 3rd Sundays, 3rd Fridays (even months only), 4th Sundays and 4th Tuesdays. Groups
are welcome to serve once, on a fill-in basis or sign up for an ongoing day.
The most current meal calendar can always be viewed at http://
firststepbackhome.net/meal-calendar/
Kim Orf
Motel Meal Coordinator
636-219-5496 call or text
Donation Methods to Support FSBH
We want to remind you that your tax-deductible charitable donation is a great way to support the ministry. We are a
public charity per IRS Regulations of a 501(c)(3) non–profit organization. All donations will be receipted for taxdeductible documentation purposes. Here are several options to consider.

Corporate Matching Grant Donations
- Some matching grant companies are AT & T, Wells Fargo, Monsanto, Boeing, Mastercard,
Pfizer, VMWare, and Thrivent Financial Services.
- Boeing and perhaps other corporations offer volunteer time grant matches. If you volunteer
25 hours with our ministry, Boeing will send a $250 cash gift.
- If you work for a company that offers match gifting, please initiate the paperwork for this to be
Done, and we’ll complete the required elements so you and others can participate.

Write a check payable to “First Step Back Home” and send to the following address:
First Step Bank Home, Inc.
Paul Kruse
PO Box 966
O’Fallon, MO 63366

Log onto our ministry website and click Paypal for direct donation via your credit card. There is a
small fee charged to the ministry with this option. www.firststepbackhome.net

Thrivent Members can create an “Action Team” and receive $250 “seed money” twice per year for
charitable causes. Details can be found at this link: thrivent.com/actionteam.

Log onto GoFundMe to support the FSBH Sponsored Housing Project for Mobile Homes.

When you shop online, use Amazon Smile and choose First Step Back Home as your charity. They will donate
0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. You can use this direct link to our page.
First Step Back Home, Inc.
P.O. Box 966
O’Fallon, MO 63366
Change Service Requested
Nonprofit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
St. Peters, MO
Permit 92
FSBH Newsletter
Save the Date for Give STL Day
Thursday, May 11
Newsletter Options
If you would like to receive your future FSBH Quarterly Newsletters more quickly and with less cost to the
ministry, please give us your email address so we can add you to that confidential distribution list. Please
email Lana Kruse at [email protected]
For every newsletter that is mailed out, the work is labor intensive and expensive, in creating hard copies,
getting them folded, and sorted by zip codes, then taking them to the US Post Office for bulk mailing. At this
time we have about 400 that still go out by snail mail. We do thank Pastor Steve Colaw from Gateway
Church and ministry friends Tracy and Gina Balliet to doing most of this work. They all do their part with
smiles and are very gracious to us in their “labor of love” to get it all done timely.
If you would consider receiving your newsletter by email instead, or reading it from our ministry website,
please let us know and we’ll remove you from the hard copy mailing list.
12