You can help kids too!

Dear friends,

At 6am this morning I sat in my car waiting for *Jason (name has been changed).  With a hooded sweatshirt over his head and a backpack on his shoulder he looked like most teenagers on his way to school.  This morning was a little different though.  Before he goes to school we are going downtown to sell Krispy Kremes to raise money for him to go to camp.

On the way to pick up the doughnuts we talk about school, his neighborhood and his family.  Jason lives with his mother and his brother.  His dad is a drug addict and they don’t see him often.  Jason is quick to say that he’s a good dad mainly, except when he’s under the influence. There is no bitterness or hate in his voice, just an understanding that life can get messy. 

He knows messy.  He tells me about the stabbings and homicides that have happened over the past year at the end of his block.  He goes on to say how it’s not as bad as some places near where his mom works.  He and his brother can’t visit their mom at work because one block down there is a gang that messes with them every time they come by.  His mom works as a waitress as she raises the two boys alone.  I ask Jason how he ended up being such a good kid and he gives credit to his mom, “Let’s just say she’s the boss.”

By the time we get to the store he tells me how he is going to take the SAT this Saturday.  It’s a preliminary test so he can see if he needs to buy the book for the real deal.  He’s a smart kid who tells me he wants to become a firefighter.  It’s good pay, affords you time to have a personal life and you get to help people at the same time.

Jason is such a sweet kid I can’t help but look at him in awe.  Despite his neighborhood, his mom has done everything she can to give him a better life.  There is so much hope and promise in his eyes I want to cheer him on in the movie of his life. 

Today he’ll raise $100 toward camp, but he has $400 left to go.  Would you please consider sponsoring Jason and a few other kids like him to go to camp this summer?  Young Life camp is a week where they can enjoy being in a safe environment, let themselves just be kids again, and most importantly hear about a God that loves them so much he’s willing to trade His life for theirs.  It’s a message that can transform the lives of kids like Jason. 

It takes $550 to send a kid to 7 days of Young Life camp.  Would you please pray and consider sponsoring a kid for one of those days?  They are working hard to raise their own money toward camp, but would greatly appreciate any donations from friends like you.  Please send your tax deductible gifts payable to “Young Life” to 505 A St. # 7 Daly City, CA 94014. 

Thank you for your support!  OneLove, Joyce del Rosario