Dear Reader,
Last week I joined the kick-off of our After-school Teen program. One of our staff members along with his wife graciously accepted the invitation to lead this new program. They have both expressed how life-giving serving in this role has been to both of them. I decided to offer to serve so that I could be a part of what our God was going to do in the lives of these young people. And that’s where the story I want to share begins.
The last part of the evening involves a small group of teens getting together for 30 minutes to discuss the lesson presented earlier. It allows the teens to interact with the lesson with an older trained facilitator. As we began I was reminded how important this part of the evening is as I joined in on one of the small groups.
As the teens shared, I saw how vital and how life-giving our ministry is here in Regent Park. These youth have few people to encourage them, to listen to them, to love on them, and to generally be a consistent part of their lives. Those 30 minutes left me more passionate than ever about the lives of these precious young people. In my car on the way home I was very emotional as I realized that no one had joined us in this battle for the hearts and lives of these young people. So many of these young people face challenges daily that most of us cannot even imagine. There is no help. We are it.
Life is so hard, so very hard. Marilyn and I have served and lived in the community and still don’t fully grasp the hardship of life in our community for so many. It's very humbling.
In a conversation the other day, one school principal told me that he felt helpless amid the challenges these young students face. He said specifically “We are helpless to help these young people and apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ there is no hope for them”.
Friends, and supporters, this is what we do. We are bringing life and hope in the name of Jesus Christ. We are burdened by the alarming literacy rate of our 3rd grade children. 86% are not reading at grade level and if that is not addressed the outcomes are devastating. Chronic absenteeism remains a major challenge in our neighborhood schools as well. We are convicted that we need to be doing more.
Your support enables us to do the hard work. You can support our current programming right now or start praying about how you can support our summer activities which we be here in 2 + months. You will hear more about that soon!! Click below to learn more or to donate. Thank you.
To God be the glory,
Larry
