A few years ago, I met a 12-year-old boy who was already battling addiction, crime, and circumstances no kid should have to carry. God gave me an opportunity to come alongside him and begin pouring into his life. I took him to church, spent time mentoring him, and one Christmas we were able to help provide gifts for him and his brother. Over the years, he continued to bounce between different programs, placements, and corrections. Eventually, I lost contact with him. Then recently, I heard someone calling my name. I turned around and saw that same young man running toward me. He wrapped me in a huge hug. Today, he is part of a justice program that partners with our ministry, which has opened the door for us to once again be part of his life. He is currently joining us for weekly mountain bike rides through our Break the Cycle program, and this fall he will be jumping into our 71Five VoTech program as well. Even more importantly, he recently told me that he wants to take his relationship with God deeper and be baptized. It was a powerful reminder for me. Kids leave. They move. They get transferred. Sometimes years go by and we never know what happened to the seeds that were planted. But God never loses them.

 

So if you pray for 71Five, give financially, volunteer, or partner with us in any way, thank you. Your faithfulness gives us the opportunity to keep showing up. To keep building relationships. To keep investing in young people even when we may not see the outcome right away. Sometimes you plant the seed and someone else waters it. And every once in a while, God lets you stand there years later and see what He has been doing all along. This young man is one of those stories. And his story isn’t finished yet.