Personally, I’m not a big fan of Facebook and other social media sites but I maintain a presence because I never know how God might use it for His purposes. Yesterday I received this from Michelle: “Hey Matt, are you still available for check in’s?”

 

It’s been a decade since I last heard from Michelle. Now 26, the days she spent in juvenile detention are long gone but a relationship forged in difficult times is still important. I’m looking forward to hearing about her life and continuing to encourage her toward the Lord.

 

This isn’t the first message like this I’ve received through Facebook and I pray it isn’t the last. Trusting relationships should never end and ‘my kids’ from all of those years ago still hold a special place in my heart.

 

Trusting relationships and sharing God’s story of hope, this is the work of 71Five. Thank you for being a part of it.

 

 

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.

 

 

We often hold orientation classes to invite students to join 71Five VoTech Training. One young lady was so impressed she said. “I’ll be back to take this class for sure, I love what is happening here.” Young people from all walks of life participate and recently a few from the Eagle Point High School VIP program that’s for youth that need special assistance. She was one and as she said, she came back.

 

She would regularly get up and take pictures of the projection screen. I thought, “What a good way to take notes.” After some time in class we learned she is nearly blind and struggles with other disabilities, but she never gave up. We’ve never seen a student work so hard, but the work paid off and she graduated with a certificate of construction and safety.

 

The important part of this story is that we share God’s message of hope nearly every time we meet and usually at the end during our social time. So for 12 classes over 6 weeks seeds of God’s love were planted in her heart and though she is nearly blind, her heart has been opened to see the love of Jesus and we can see a difference.

 

 

 

 

For the last 6 months, our Elementary Club teacher Miss Colette has been consistently opening the world of the Bible to the kids through song, stories, and a bit of drama. She’s taken them through Christ’s birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and the early church. Recently, she’s been asking the students questions to review what’s been covered so far. The responses are filled with so much information showing they’ve retained a lot from these lessons! Many of these kids have no church background with little to no knowledge of Christ. It’s such a blessing to be a part of the work of teaching kids the most important thing in the world – how to have a relationship with the God of the Bible, who is a father that loves them!

 

You make this little school about God and His love possible! We could never do this without you [Romans 10:14-15]! You are reaching the kids of our neighborhood with the vital first step of teaching the Word of Christ. Let’s also pray for these kids to have faith in what they are hearing and that their lives may be transformed forever [Romans 10:17]!

 

 

“The biggest hurdle for me was when I was pregnant with my second baby Cameron. I remember having Braxton Hicks’ contractions and having to wake up at 7:30 a.m. to get me and my daughter ready for high school.” Candice went on to share that the support the Magdalene Home, the Child Development Center at North Medford High School, and 71Five Parents provided her family were instrumental in her success. Candice was able to graduate from high school this year while mothering three children all under the age of 5. This resilient and strong young mother is a testament of how powerful God’s love is.

 

Thank you providing the space and resources to young girls like Candice. God is using you to give hope to those in need.

 

 

We had club in Ashland last Monday night. Like most Monday nights, you never know what to expect. I pray for many kids to show up – ready to hear the Gospel. Last week, only a couple of kids showed up. You start to wonder if, and what you’re doing is worth it. But, it’s in those small moments when God often shows up. I had a lengthy conversation with one of the kids who often is hard to connect with, especially when a lot of kids are around. However, because of the small turnout that night, I was able to speak truth into a few young lives and also shared the gospel with them! Needless to say, God is at work even in the small moments.

 

Praise God for all that he is doing in Ashland. Please continue to pray for these young people who are so confused and led astray by this world.

 

 

Gathered around a table of coworkers and a potential volunteer, we shared stories of the lives impacted through our ministry at 71Five Justice. Each tale carried its own blend of heartache, inspiration, pain, and moments of pure joy. As we poured out our hearts to one another, there was one young man, only 13 years old, who remained silent, listening to every word. A few days later, his mother approached me with an incredible revelation. During their ride home that day, he shared, “As I listened, my heart was burning inside of me to do this.” He shared with his mother his deep desire to someday work for this very ministry, to reach out to young people just as we had reached out to him. It’s remarkable how God seizes the opportunity to ignite a young person’s passion through seemingly ordinary moments like these. It serves as a poignant reminder that our words and actions can have a profound impact, inspiring others to pursue something truly extraordinary.

 

Thank you for inspiring young people and making a huge difference in their lives by opening doors of hope and trust at 71FIve.