Have you ever heard someone’s life story that brings tears to your eyes? I experience this often with the youth I work with. I’m Tim Hardy, the new North Medford Area Director for Youth 71Five Ministries (formerly Rogue Valley Youth for Christ). I’ve had the opportunity to work with youth all over the world and for the past 3 years in Grants Pass. The pain many of these kids, from right here in the Rogue Valley, have experienced by those who are supposed to love them is unfathomable. When you see the scars on a kid’s back from a drunk dad, meet a girl who’s lived in 36 foster homes, or hear the story of a teen who been used as a drug dealer by their addicted mom, it is almost too much. But, so many of these kids despite the fact they’ve been shown over and over not to trust anyone, have put their trust in Jesus. They come to know Jesus through the ministry of 71Five because people just like you take the time to love on them, help sponsor them for activities, and have prayed for them.