“Pray for me and my Dad he got sent to prison for 3 to 4 years and for my Mom it will be about 2 years.” This was a prayer request from a 15-year-old boy sitting in juvenile detention. What chance does this young man have to stay out of prison? What he’s been taught has already led him to crime and jail. There’s not much hope for him to learn a different way.

 

Thankfully you’ve provided the answers. You sent caring adults into the jail to find this young man. You provided people who care about his future. You provided a true story that lets him know there’s more to life. That he is loved. There is a door to forgiveness. He can love other people and get help to change the way he lives. But most of all you have brought healing and hope that lasts forever!

 

 

One of our staff shared about one young woman in detention who faced unimaginable pain and suffering growing up and reached a point where she felt lost and disconnected from God. In that time of darkness, she attempted suicide several times and even died but was revived.

 

During a recent conversation, our staff shared about forgiveness, peace, and hope. After the conversation she jotted a note for prayer— “I know that I am a very lost person, sure I know the Bible, but I do not know if I truly have a relationship with God. The other day I felt him speak to me and I truly want to grow that relationship.” She still carries a heavy burden from past trauma and abuse, but you’ve provided a caring adult, a listening ear, and a message of hope. Please pray this young woman would come to recognize her immeasurable worth and discover her unique purpose in a growing relationship with Christ.

 

You’re making a huge impact, and this girl now carries a glimmer of hope. You made that possible by bringing light into the darkest situation. Thank you!!

 

 

Do you know who Milla Sofia is? Milla is a completely artificial Virtual Influencer. “She” is projected as a beautiful woman from Finland living the perfect life, doing amazing things… but none of it’s real. “She” has made the news recently because people are interacting with her as a real person, asking her on dates, asking for advice, and following her on social media. What’s frightening isn’t Milla deceiving people, (Her producers are very clear that the perfect person living the perfect life is fantasy) it’s that young people know it’s fantasy but are choosing to live in the ‘fake life.’ Young people being addicted to fantasy which is much more appealing than reality. It’s clearly a trap and the results are devastating. Mental health issues, depression, and suicide are destroying young people at staggering rates because they are enticed by happiness in the ‘fake life’ but they can’t actually attain it. When the digital dream is better than real life, life becomes an unbearable burden.

 

Thank you for providing trustworthy, competent, and caring adults to each young person. A real person to get them out of the digital fantasy and experiencing actual life. Kids know real life is hard, it hurts, and often there’s good reason to try and escape it. But you can’t escape it for long. This is when a trusted friend who’s lived and learned that a bit of well-focused faith, perseverance and work can bring love, joy, and peace with God. The true best life.

 

 

I heard recently about a couple young men in our 71Five VoTech training program who are dealing with behavioral issues. They struggle to focus, follow instructions, and they create chaos everywhere they go. Their fathers attend the program with them because of their lack of control. It’s clear in our efforts to teach trade skills to these young men is taking its toll on everyone. The dads are worn out, our staff are worn out and they’re all wondering if anything worthwhile is being accomplished… but the boys are still coming, and the story isn’t over.

 

As we prayed for these boys at staff meeting, I realized… if not us, then who? These young men don’t fit in school. 71Five VoTech is really their only option to learn skills to become productive men. The incredibly patient staff and volunteer staff are the best chance these boys have. It’s in this patience and determination where our mission truly comes alive, where the real work is, where sacrifices for young people are made. But this is also where hard earned trust leads to hope.

 

Thank you for providing hard earned trust. It brings real hope.

 

 

 

 

 

As I’ve worked with kids over the years, I’m often stunned by the amount of pain I see in their lives. I’ve noticed young teens are fairly quick to share their struggles and hurts. I’ve also noticed they often feel like they’re shouting into the wind, and nothing happens. This is when they choose to shut their mouths and things go dark and silent. They get cynical and feel nothing matters anymore because no one cares.

 

A couple weeks ago I went to our Middle School Camp and attended the campfire where kids shared their stories. Yet again I was shocked by how hurt many of the young people are. They were sharing struggles and hurts hoping for someone to care. I was blessed to see the kids weren’t shouting into the wind. Staff and other young people were coming to stand with them, listening, encouraging, and letting them know they’re loved. The kids also heard the message that God loves them and proved it by sending Jesus. During that campfire I saw in real time, lives were being transformed.

 

You provide the answer kids need when it feels like they’re shouting into the wind. They discover there is trust that leads to hope, indestructible and eternal. Thank you!!

 

 

Joy to the World… You know the Christmas carol, right? Joy is a rare commodity these days. We may even wonder if we can sing it authentically right now. Well, it’s good to look at the next line and remember what the source of joy is. That line is, “the Lord is come.” I have sung those lines at least a thousand times in my life but I don’t think they’ve ever been put to the test globally like they are now. I have a hard time even imagining life or the world if the Savior had not come. It’s amazing how much hope hangs on that truth for me. Because of it, I’m completely confident there are better things in my future because I have peace with God through Jesus.

 

So many kids in our community live without that hope. Many have never even heard of the possibility of that hope. What a dark place to live as our world seems harmful and out of control. Jesus calls himself the ‘Light of the world’ but amazingly he also calls us the ‘light of the world.’ What a privilege to be included in that work! Your “light” helps kids see the “Light,” and then they can experience the joy of an eternal and indestructible hope!

 

Thank you for shining the “Light” into dark places in the lives of young people!!