Author: MaryAnn Horstman

Celebrating 24 years of service

January 2010

Hospitality House
Newsletter

Hospitality House 120 Ferry Street Chester, IL
(618)826-9810

Special points of interest:
Open since July,
1986
Over 27,888 guests have stayed at Hospitality House
Donations are tax deductible
House Director is Mary Kay Keim
Serving two institutions in Chester

From Our House to Your House

As 2010 came roaring in with a blast of frigid Arctic air, the Hospitality House Board of Directors are thankful we can continue to offer our guests a warm, comfortable place to stay. One hundred ninety-nine guests stayed at the Hospitality House in 2009. This was only possible because of the many, generous donations from local organizations and people like yourself; donations that have kept the Hospitality House in operation for twenty-four years. This newsletter contains our financial report and our annual plea for donations for the coming year.
The Hospitality House is located in an old Victorian House that has weathered many a storm and seasons and is in need of repairs. The latest repair has focused on the front porch. Rain water had seeped in and rotted the corner porch post and adjoining wood. When the corner of the porch started to sag, repairs had to begin. House finances would not allow replacing the porch with a new structure; thanks to board member Mark Horstmann and a good friend, Bob Schaffer, repairs were made to the porch. Bob had experience in carpentry and was able to guide this renovation. Thank you God for sending the help needed to do this project. More work will need to be done to replace the porch ceiling come spring.
The Hospitality House also received new gently-used furnishings from Apostolic World Outreach Ministry in Goodfield, IL. Board member Steve Keim picked up and delivered the items. New carpet from Berean Prison Ministries will be installed in the next month. Most of the carpet in the House was installed in 1986 and has fared well; but after twenty-four years, it is time to replace it.
I, as the treasurer, watch finances and pay the bills. 2009 was a difficult year for our nation and the House. While our resources have been low, God has provided for all that we need to keep the Hospitality House in operation.
God’s Blessings,
Mary Ann Horstmann

Board of Directors

Fr. Leo Hayes, / President
Mark Horstmann, / Vice President
Mary Ann Horstmann, / Secretary/Treasurer
Rev. Steve Keim, / Board Member
Dr. Doris Thomson, / Board Member

Hospitality House Website

Do you like to surf the web? Would you like more information about the Hospitality House of Chester? If so, http://HospitalityHouse.yolasite.com is the website that will give you more information about this unique prison ministry which has
offered low-cost lodging to families of the incarcerated since 1986. This website was launched in July of 2009 and is a new endeavor for the Hospitality House Board of Trustees. This is a new site and work on it is still being done as we go to press, so please be patient. If there is something you would like added to the website or would like more information, please email Mary Ann Horstmann at: mhorstmann97@gmail.com with your thoughts, questions, or comments.

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Hospitality House
Newsletter

Thoughts from the Director

In the book of Romans, chapter 8, verse 28, it reads “All things work together and are for good to and for those who love God and are called according to this design and purpose.” During my nine years as the Director of the Hospitality House, I have often wondered about the plans and purposes that God has for our lives. I never dreamed that one day I would serve the Lord in full-time ministry to the families and friends of those incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center or Chester Mental Health.
I have met so many wonderful people whose lives have been impacted by having a loved one who is “institutionalized.” We have cried together, laughed together, prayed together, and have been blessed by the faithfulness and love of our Lord toward us. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding . In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” I am thankful for the Hospitality House being here for those who need to be comforted and encouraged. To God be all the glory for giving me an opportunity to share the love and goodness of the Lord to so many hurting people.
The work of the Hospitality House could not go on without the faithful support and benevolence of you, our friends and co-laborers, in the work of the Lord. I just want to say thank you to all of you for your faithful support of this ministry.
A special thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Meister of Berean Prison Ministries, Peoria, Illinois, for the new carpeting, mattresses and quilts. To our friends at the Apostolic World Outreach Ministries at Goodfield, Illinois, thank you so very much for the new household furnishings. To Mike Neal of Neal and Son’s Flooring in Chester for all your kindness. To Steve and Frankie Keim for giving of your time and finances to support this ministry and to all the clergy and churches who have partnered with this ministry. Also a special thanks to the Fr. Leo Hayes and his three parishes: St. Ann Catholic Church of Raddle, St. Joseph Catholic Church of Willisville, and St.Elizabeth Catholic Church of Ava, for providing Christmas gifts for guests staying at the House. We love and appreciate you all. God richly bless you.
In Christ,
Mary Kay Keim

Do not neglect to show hospitality, for by that means some have entertained angels without knowing it. Be mindful of prisoners as if you were sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of yourselves, for you may yet suffer as they do.
Hebrews 13: 2-3

The Hospitality House ministers to families of the incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center and Chester Mental Health Center. Will you invest in this ministry to prisoner families?
Enclosed is my donation: ____$10 _____$25 _____$50 _____$100 _________Other
Name __________________________________________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip___________________________________________________________________________
Email Address: __________________________________________________________________________
□ Send my next HH newsletter by email.
□ Please continue sending me the HH newsletter. □ I no longer wish to receive the HH newsletter.
Donations are tax deductible. Use enclosed addressed envelope or send to:
Mary Ann Horstmann, HH Treasurer 115 South 7th Street Elkville, IL 62932

2009 FINANCIAL REPORT
HOSPITALITY HOUSE (HEBREWS 13:2-3), INC.
120 FERRY STREET CHESTER, IL 62233
BALANCE ON HAND AS OF JANUARY 1, 2009............................................................$ 1,637.04
INCOME
RECEIVED FROM:
199 House Guests ( Average $13.50 per guest).................................... .......$2,686.32
44 Individuals*..............................................................................................$2,448.98
Caring Fund - St. Andrews Church (Murphysboro, IL).................................$ 25.00
Catholic Diocese of Belleville Catholic Urban Program..............................$ 1,000.00
Catholic Diocese of Belleville Service & Ministry Appeal Grant................$ 1,200.00
Elkville Baptist Church - Women Mission's Group......................................$ 100.00
Grace Church Ministries (Chester, IL)..........................................................$ 1,200.00
Lutheran Men in Mission - So. Conf. of Ev. Lutheran Church of America...$ 50.00
Newman Center (Carbondale, IL)..................................................................$ 291.06
Southern Conf. Central/Southern IL Synod Lutheran....................................$ 100.00