Take a moment and think of someone in your life who was a difference-maker for you. Isn’t it amazing how those memories stick with us? Would that person even remember it? Does it matter?

 

I recently bumped into a young lady I had met in Detention 2 1/2 years ago. She was so happy to see me and eager to tell me what an impact our discussions about Jesus had had on her life. What a blessing! When we are obedient to the calling God has placed on our lives, He does a mighty work… work that matters… work that endures. Her life is a testament to His power. Thank You, Lord that You did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. Not our power, not our love, but Yours flowing through us. What we do matters, and He gives us the courage to walk out our calling, to help effect change that lasts an eternity.

 

Thank you for joining 71Five Justice in this work—your prayers, your resources, your time… all of these things make a difference. This young lady remembered it and she told me it mattered to her. BEAU JESKA  71Five Justice Director  (541) 779.3275  beau@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

When I thanked my cousin for picking my daughter from school she told me, “It takes a village to raise a kid.” Is that ever true! It got me thinking about all of the people involved in the life-changing work the Lord does through Youth 71Five Ministries. Take Chris and Drew for example, two kids running hard in local gangs before they were apprehended by law enforcement and lodged at Juvenile Detention. While in detention, 71Five Justice engaged them with Thursday Night Groups, Chapel Services, lunch appointments, and many one-to-one visits. When Chris and Drew were transferred to the “Barriers to Bridges” (or B2B) residential program, we continue building trusting relationships. They are now picked up for church services and were recently baptized. Every Monday they’re discipled by a volunteer husband and wife team. They also participate in the 71Five Justice “Break the Cycle” program and love it so much they plan to join the high school mountain biking team. We also plan to plug them into the 71Five VoTech Training Program. They’re both running hard for Jesus now thanks to all of the wonderful people who have answered His call to action. Does it take a village to change lives? You bet! I love my 71Five village and thank you for making all of this possible.

 

Would you be willing to plug into my “village” deeper? Please reach out so I can tell you more and see if one of our ministry areas is a fit for you. There are diverse ways our youth are engaged by competent and compassionate adults, building trusting relationships that are essential in giving kids hope—the kind of hope that is life-changing. BEAU JESKA 71Five Justice Director (541) 779.3275 beau@71Five.org

 

 

He’s been through the 6-month Barriers to Bridges program 2 times. Anthony is back at the Juvenile Detention Center… yet again, because of his substance abuse. When he’s released, he has every intention of staying away from his old places and familiar faces… But each time he slides back into his old pattern. Alcohol, cough syrup, pills, or all of the above and frequently resulting in unconsciousness or seizures. His “friends” just laugh as they leave him where he lays. He feels powerless in the grip of his addiction and the tears were flowing as we sat and talked. This time, after I shared the hope of the Gospel message and how Christ had freed me from the bondage of addiction in my own life, he asked me, “Where do I begin?” Like my own story, Anthony had to be broken enough to listen, to be hopeless enough to trust the message of the Gospel. Please pray… Please pray Anthony surrenders to Christ, he would die to self daily, and embrace the only true hope of Jesus.

 

Thank you for your prayers and for your partnership in offering trusting relationships that lead to this powerful hope! The work we are doing together is truly life and death. BEAU JESKA 71Five Justice Director (541) 779.3275 beau@71Five.org

 

I could tell you plenty of shocking stories of trauma and brokenness… But this time, I want to share about a young man who went through just the right amount of pain to make some big changes in his life. I met Israel at the detention center and after the group meeting, I had a chance to talk with him alone. He told me my story spoke loudly to him. He said, “I’m ready to turn my life around, never again to return to detention.” We talked through the steps and changes that would be necessary for him to experience freedom in his life. He then asked the Lord to come into his life and direct him. After he was released, I gave him a new Bible and took him to church. He said the message really applied to his life and he liked it. We grabbed a burrito afterward and he shared how he’d quit drinking alcohol, smoking pot, and cigarettes. He deleted all of his social media accounts and was loving it.

He’s now planning to join the biking program 71Five Justice offers and I plan to meet with him regularly. Please pray for this young man as he begins his new life, and thank you for partnering with us, you are making a difference! BEAU JESKA 71Five Justice Director beau@71Five.org

 

How do you bring hope to a young gal who just received a 25-year prison sentence? She won’t be free until her late thirties and she carries the weight of guilt. What can be done to convince this gal there will be good in her future? It started with a caring adult who met her in detention, consistently spent time and built trust. Over the last few months this girl and her adult friend talked and talked about life, this girl’s pain and her fears. During these conversations the girl heard she could be forgiven, accepted into the family of God and He’s always there to watch over her no matter where she goes. This little gal ‘went all in’ and hasn’t looked back. She still struggles with fear and wishes she didn’t have to face the consequences of her crime, but she looks toward the future with real hope. She’s even now experiencing a hope that has brought her to life in what would seem the darkest of circumstances. Thank you so much for caring enough to provide this! You bring trust into the broken lives of kids which leads to love, peace and hope in the darkest places. – BUD AMUNDSEN 71Five Executive Director bud@71Five.org

When Josh was lodged at detention, his behavior was terrible. It was weeks before he was allowed to attend our Thursday night program. When I introduced myself, he would not look me in the eye, his body language was hunched and defensive. His speech was a dialect of gang banger and hard to understand. His personality had been formed by the things he experienced living on the streets. One night, staff allowed him to watch our group from just outside the classroom door. Progress. Trust was built, but glacially slow. He was transferred to the 6-month residential program in the detention center building and after some one-to-one time riding mountain bikes, a friendship was born. At the residential program he used up all his last chances and was lodged in detention with new assault charges. It was there, during Sunday Chapel, that the Lord broke through with the book of Jonah. It spoke right to Josh’s heart. Later, we both confessed to having a little Jonah in our DNA and Josh allowed Jesus into his heart. Fast forward a month, you have a bright young man devouring Scripture and praying—eyes shining bright with the light of a loving God. Thank you for your partnership with 71five Justice, together we are doing important work.- BEAU JESKA, 71Five Justice Director beau@71Five.org