As I’ve worked with kids over the years, I’m often stunned by the amount of pain I see in their lives. I’ve noticed young teens are fairly quick to share their struggles and hurts. I’ve also noticed they often feel like they’re shouting into the wind, and nothing happens. This is when they choose to shut their mouths and things go dark and silent. They get cynical and feel nothing matters anymore because no one cares.

 

A couple weeks ago I went to our Middle School Camp and attended the campfire where kids shared their stories. Yet again I was shocked by how hurt many of the young people are. They were sharing struggles and hurts hoping for someone to care. I was blessed to see the kids weren’t shouting into the wind. Staff and other young people were coming to stand with them, listening, encouraging, and letting them know they’re loved. The kids also heard the message that God loves them and proved it by sending Jesus. During that campfire I saw in real time, lives were being transformed.

 

You provide the answer kids need when it feels like they’re shouting into the wind. They discover there is trust that leads to hope, indestructible and eternal. Thank you!!

 

 

Joy to the World… You know the Christmas carol, right? Joy is a rare commodity these days. We may even wonder if we can sing it authentically right now. Well, it’s good to look at the next line and remember what the source of joy is. That line is, “the Lord is come.” I have sung those lines at least a thousand times in my life but I don’t think they’ve ever been put to the test globally like they are now. I have a hard time even imagining life or the world if the Savior had not come. It’s amazing how much hope hangs on that truth for me. Because of it, I’m completely confident there are better things in my future because I have peace with God through Jesus.

 

So many kids in our community live without that hope. Many have never even heard of the possibility of that hope. What a dark place to live as our world seems harmful and out of control. Jesus calls himself the ‘Light of the world’ but amazingly he also calls us the ‘light of the world.’ What a privilege to be included in that work! Your “light” helps kids see the “Light,” and then they can experience the joy of an eternal and indestructible hope!

 

Thank you for shining the “Light” into dark places in the lives of young people!!

 

 

Over a year ago I wrote about Seasons and how we all were experiencing a season like no other with the COVID virus and an uncertain economy. I wrote about how the needs of young people have only increased during unsettling times and how uncertainty can produce huge amounts of fear in us requiring wisdom, faith, and courage. Wisdom, to understand reality. Faith, to trust God and take appropriate action. Courage is always a part of faith because we must act on convictions of things unseen. I mentioned how young people need you as well, how they rely on 71Five and 71Five relies on your faithful and courageous investment in the work.

 

A year and a half later all of us have faced challenges, some great and some small. At 71Five we experienced loss, things haven’t always gone our way, and work has been harder than we thought. I wrote the words above even before the hardship of the local fires. But… I can tell you… God has been so good! We’ve seen huge numbers of kids involved with our programs, we’ve literally saved lives of kids considering suicide, and our building projects are completed despite huge cost increases and delays due to the pandemic and fires. Best of all, young people are experiencing the eternal and indestructible hope found in Jesus. Please hear me when I say thank you! Thank you to God who has been so faithful and to you for being the way in which He provided so much!

 

At 71Five it’s so easy to get distracted from our Mission as we work hard to meet the needs of kids. There are so many struggles they are facing. So… it’s incredibly important to pause and remember what we’re doing. I wrote this synopsis a couple years ago and I think it’s a good reminder of what we do.

 

What you do is powerful, seeing young people and providing trust that leads to hope! It changes lives forever.

 

 

I saw a picture of a smiling young man dressed in welding gear in a photo. I asked Larry our 71Five VoTech Coordinator to tell me his story. Larry responded, “He’s one of my favorite students, I told you about him. He’s the kid who showed up with his hoodie pulled over his head, a dog mask on his face, hands shoved deep in his pockets and he wouldn’t participate in the program, he wouldn’t even speak when spoken to… Today he’s a top welder, he bought an expensive helmet and is having a special welding glove made because he has missing fingers. He also bought a truck; he’s performing an engine change at his house and becoming an amazingly independent adult.” I responded, “Really?!… that can’t be the same kid!!” What an incredible transformation!!

 

This young man has deep scars, both physical and emotional. When he was six, he was trapped in a house fire. He was burned over 70% of his body and his mom died in the fire protecting him. He’s gone through many, many surgeries to repair his scarred body. As Larry put it, “he showed up thinking he was damaged goods without a future”. This young man needed vocational training but more than that he needed an adult who would respectfully push through the hard exterior, build trust and lead him to hope. Hope for this life as well as hope for the next.

 

Thank you for providing trust that leads to hope!!

 

 

I wrote the message below a year ago…

 

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” [Isa 9:6]

 

The words of Isaiah about the coming Messiah. The character of Jesus— Astonishing wisdom, a hero God, an eternal good Father and the leader who makes everything good. What a foundation for comfort and peace in a troubled world. Trusting in Him brings HOPE!!! Thank you for bringing the best news in the world to lost and hurting young people!

 

… So much has changed in our world since I wrote this a year ago, but in one sense, nothing has. The best news hasn’t changed. The character of Jesus hasn’t changed. But… I can tell you my understanding of my need for an ‘Everlasting Father and a ‘Prince of Peace” has changed dramatically. The intensity of that need is even greater in our young people.

 

Thank you for offering hope to an even more troubled world through 71Five, an eternal and indestructible hope!! Merry Christmas to all! BUD AMUNDSEN   71Five Executive Director   (541) 779-3275   bud@71Five.org

 

 

The text read “Praying for your community. So sorry for this loss. Grateful that you are bringing a message of hope and healing.” My response was, “Amen! We exist for times like this, right?” I’ve never experienced a time (even with 9/11) where people are stressed emotionally at the level I’m seeing today. People are grappling to get a handle on the reality of our situation (Covid, racial tensions, political turmoil and now huge impact due to fires), with more struggles coming as the long-term impact is felt by the community. These feelings are very much in the minds and hearts of our young people as well.

We truly do exist for times like this! While everything has changed… at the same time, nothing has. Our Mission is still to share God’s Story with young people through trusting relationships in any relevant way. We are in the business of relationships, building trust that leads to hope and we are committed to stay in our ‘lane’.

Things are very different though… Connecting with kids in this season of Covid-19 and online schooling means we’re working hard to provide safe places for kids to study, access to the internet, and adult help if they’re struggling. With the challenges related to the fire, we’re connecting with kids to help them process the hurts and fear they’ve experienced. We’re collaborating with other agencies to provide food and structured activities for young people who’ve been displaced. Also, a Fire Relief Fund has been set up to provide for the food, activities, and also outside-the-box needs other agencies aren’t designed to meet.

You still provide trust that leads to hope! The Mission hasn’t changed… just some of the methods. Thank you for bringing the message of hope and healing!  BUD AMUNDSEN   71Five Executive Director   (541) 779-3275   bud@71Five.org