One of the most exciting things working in the ministry here at 71Five is when I see a kid get excited about the bible. A week ago miss Sophia and I had a conversation about sin and how do we know what is sin and what’s not. I said to her, “Well, you can find all those answers in your Bible.” She looked at me funny and said, “But Will, I don’t have a Bible.” I had thought some time back that her mom had bought a Bible for her. It looks like I was wrong. The next day through the ministry we were able to gift her one with her name embossed on it. The leaders at 71Five Campus in Shady Cove wrote a special message and signed it for her. Ryann, 71Five Intern, presented her with the new Bible. She was so excited she ran through the Youth Center giving out hugs to all the leaders to thank them for this special gift. And then we received this text message from her mom: “Walked in to say good night to Sophia the other night and she was reading her Bible. My heart melted. 🤍 Thank you.”

 

Thank you for providing this young person with the gift of hope. Your financial support and prayers are reaching the lives of so many people like Sophia and her mom.

 

In late summer of 2022, I met Christian. It began with, “Dab me up bro!” referring to a handshake. Then he asked, “What is this place?” I answered, “This is a youth center. A place for you and your friends to enjoy.” “OK! When does it open?” I told him about our process with the City which I’m sure sounded like a bunch of ‘gobbleygook.’ Over the next few months Christian and many other kids would stop by for some hot chocolate we served in the morning. As we continued to give dabs, high fives, and knuckles, the question remained, “When are you opening?” And then it happened… We got the official word we could open our doors to the public! Christian was so excited and began telling his friends about the youth center across the street from school. Now that we are open, we sit and have a time of devotions and Christian does not sit still very well, but Christian was listening more than I ever thought. One day he asked, “Can you pick me up for church?” He put on his boots, nice jeans, and cowboy hat and received many compliments for how well he’s dressed. I asked the Sunday School teacher how well he did the first time, she said, “He was the biggest help!”

 

Jesus is working in Shady Cove. Through your prayers and financial partnership, we serve food, play games, share devotions and even pick young people up and take them to church at 71Five Campus. Thank You!

 

Our conversation began about a TV show called: “Stranger Things”. I was caught up on it since I’d just binged watched it, and Zoey and Lilly now knew that. They had been riding scooters to pick up food from the local food pantry. But as the minutes went by, then an hour, and then another hour, they missed picking up food and I was late for lunch. There wasn’t a mention of Jesus in this conversation but, He was there. Those hours became days, then months, and a year later they sat in church with Debi, one of our 71Five Campus leaders. Who would have thought a conversation about a TV show would lead to attending church?

 

The girls have received Bibles and are asking important questions. While they have their hiccups, they’ve become a crucial part of our program in Shady Cove. They volunteer their time to move piles of dirt and they also come to help with our Kid’s Club… “Who would have thought?” Thanks for seeing the importance of opening a safe place to belong in Shady Cove.