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these things take time

Posted on Aug 8, 2019 by Farrah Guthrie | Life Change Story | 0

The final night of middle school camp, the young girl stepped forward to confess a nicotine addiction and to share her story. . . Angela had been placed in several different abusive foster homes. A couple weeks prior, she was transitioned into a good foster home but treated them badly. During the week of camp, she reflected on her negative behavior towards the new family and couldn’t wait to return home with a new attitude and to thank them for being so great. Angela’s testimony was followed by many others who told of positive changes and how camp had shifted their perspective.

Deep-rooted pain rose to the surface, was released through confession, and replaced with hope in Jesus. I thought, if only we could have talked about these things the first day we arrived. Truth is— these things take time. Their pain was not revealed the first night because trusting relationships had to be built. Your involvement with Youth 71Five brings trust that leads to hope for young people. – FARRAH GUTHRIE 71Five Campus Area Director – Grants Pass (541) 779-3275 farrah@71Five.org

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

Immeasurable Joy!

Posted on Aug 1, 2019 by Matt Sweeney | Life Change Story | 0

I had just placed an order, handed the menus back to our waiter and settled in for some quiet conversation with my best friend. . . Across the table was my wife and we were in the Mexican restaurant just down from our home. Almost like a scene from a movie, a head suddenly popped out from the side of the booth behind Jan and the 20-something young lady asked; “Are you Matt Sweeney? My name is Cheryl and I was in juvenile detention some years ago.” Jan has serve with me in the detention center and we both immediately responded, “Wow! Yes, I do remember you.” Cheryl was having dinner with her husband and their 2-year-old son. Rubbing her swelling tummy, she declared; “This is our daughter. She’ll be born in November.” It had been a few years since we last crossed paths and it was a great blessing to see Cheryl along with her growing family. She was quick to let us know she still attends church and the joy in her eyes reflected the joy in her heart.

God blesses us from time to time when we learn that some of the seeds planted over many years in detention has landed on good soil. Here before us we saw evidence of God growing a crop of faith in Cheryl and her family through Youth 71Five Ministries. The joy this gives cannot be measured. Thank you for scattering seeds for the Kingdom of God— we see trust that leads to hope. MATT SWEENEY 71Five Connect Director & Ministry Coordinator (541) 779-3275 matt@71Five.org

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

Jul '19

powerless in the addiction grip

Posted on Jul 5, 2019 by Beau Jeska | Life Change Story | 0

Jul '19

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

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

go where God leads you

Posted on Jun 27, 2019 by Tim Hardy | Life Change Story | 0

Every year I take kids to Middle School Camp… And this year I also brought a high school boy named Jaiden to work in the kitchen. Jaiden’s been to camp and in my cabin the last 4 years and a week with Rosy in the kitchen changed everything. Rosy’s a woman who obeyed God’s calling to cook food for massive amounts of kids at camps. Rosy’s not particularly young, an expert on teens, or anything like that. Rosy oozes Jesus and wants to use her talents. You can’t get near Rosy without hearing about Jesus and her love for him. Rosy has pain in her body as she works harder than anyone else at camp but she doesn’t let that stop her. It’s abundantly clear Rosy loves kids. Kids knew they were well loved because when Rosy went places, kids cheered for her and chanted “Rosy, Rosy, Rosy!” While Jaiden spent the week working like a slave earning a new nickname “Dish Boy” he saw it clearly. Despite only being able to go to one chapel due to being in the kitchen, Jaiden, along with many other kids, accepted Christ. I really don’t think it was the message that led Jaiden to Christ—I think it was Rosy—he saw Jesus in Rosy. You see, last year a young girl had a very similar experience. When kids spend time with Rosy, kids get to know Jesus.

At Youth 71 Five Ministries kids come to know Jesus because of caring adults. It doesn’t take a youth ministry degree, being young, or even to have raised 12 teenagers like Rosy has… Just a willingness to go where God leads and let kids see Jesus in you. Are you willing to show them Jesus? Give us a call at (541) 779-3275 or visit our website for more information: www.71Five.org. TIM HARDY 71Five Campus Area Director – North Medford (541) 779-3275 tim@71Five.org

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

Everything I “knew” was wrong.

Posted on Jun 18, 2019 by Bud Amundsen | Life Change Story | 0

Have you ever been lost; I mean completely lost where you have no idea where you are? Years ago, I got lost in the mountains of Wyoming. I was hiking and looking for elk antlers and I got turned around and started following a creek I thought went back to the ranch. After a while, I realized this was not the right creek at all. Because I was so sure of where I was, I hadn’t paid attention and literally had no idea where I’d gone wrong or which direction to go. Everything I “knew” was wrong. I tried to walk out in a couple of different directions, but I just ended up more confused. I began to feel hopeless because all my efforts were just making things worse.

I’ve come to realize those feelings of confusion and hopelessness are what many kids in our community face every day. They’re so lost and confused, everything they “know” doesn’t work and just brings more confusion and harmful decisions. No one is there to show them the way.

This is where Youth 71Five steps in and provides trusting relationships that change everything. Kids connect with an adult who shows them how life works and points them to the hope in Jesus they desperately need. Come join us as we reach out to the many lost kids of our Valley. Because you can provide trust that leads to hope! Give us a call at (541) 779-3275 or visit our website 71Five.org – BUD AMUNDSEN 71Five Executive Director (541) 779-3275 bud@71Five.org

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

encouragement through trusting relationships

Posted on Jun 12, 2019 by Misty Duke | Life Change Story | 0

Stephen is not the quiet kid… For a fourth grader, his presence fills a room quickly. From his clunky foot steps to his voice that projects into every corner, you know immediately when he is around. Stephen lives with his emotional and developmental challenges. He has no connection with his biological father and earlier this year his step-dad passed away suddenly. Stephen is also a precious child of God. In our Elementary Club, he’s the first one to raise his hand when asked if anyone would like to pray. He’s the kid who talks to all the other kids, leaving no one out and making new kids feel welcome.

Stephen’s heart is open to hear about the love God has for him. His heart is eager for connection and encouragement through trusting relationships. He’s also on the list to receive a mentor but the program needs more mentors. Would you pray for Stephen? Pray for a godly man to serve as a mentor for him. Jesus told us to go and make disciples. Here’s a kid who’s ready… who will disciple this one? Contact me if you would like to know more about becoming a mentor at misty@71Five.org or (541) 779-3275. Your involvement brings trust that leads to hope. MISTY DUKE 71Five Mentors Director (541) 779.3275 misty@71Five.org

VoTech has stepped in!

Posted on Jun 6, 2019 by Matt Sweeney | Life Change Story | 0

Hope… a single syllable that says a lot yet for too many kids it is a concept they can’t grasp. At Youth 71Five we regularly teach the critical truth of God’s love and grace found through Jesus Christ… What about the kid who has no skills or vision for a real living wage career? 71Five VoTech exists to impart the basic skills, vision, and hope young men and women need to transition into healthy adult life. This is the kind of guidance that should come from dad or mom but too many kids don’t have healthy parents, but VoTech has stepped in! In the last few months Mike and David have been learning to weld while Luke is learning to bend sheet metal, others are becoming carpenters and learning mechanics. I should mention Mike and David are in a residential treatment program and Luke is on probation but, not long ago, they were all locked up and couldn’t see a path to a hopeful future. This is 71Five VoTech and it is one more way lives are being changed with the hope of Jesus Christ lived out in daily life. If you have a skill to share we would really like to talk with you. Please call 779-3275 or email office@71Five.org and let’s connect. Youth 71Five… providing trust that leads to hope! MATT SWEENEY 71Five VoTech Ministry Coordinator (541) 779-3275 matt@71Five.org

NewsWatch 12 KDRV.com Video: 71Five VoTech giving young adults a second chance1

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

Dependable Caring Adult

Posted on May 30, 2019 by Robert Milton | Life Change Story | 0

You can make a profound difference in the life of a young person by just being dependable. I’m heartbroken at the number of young people we work with who don’t have a single dependable caring adult who loves God, in their life. I was recently reminded of the profound difference one dependable volunteer can make in the life of a young person. Justin started coming to the Eagle Point 71Five Campus Center when he was in fourth grade. One of our volunteers Trevor VanHee has volunteered with us for about five years and in that time has made a profound difference in Justin’s life. Trevor not only built a relationship with Justin by helping at the Center but he also spent the time to be Justin’s counselor at middle school camp. It was at this camp Justin gave his life to Jesus. I’m convinced it was because Trevor had spent years proving himself to be a dependable caring adult and showed Justin the hope found in Jesus.

You too can make a profound difference in the life of a young person. Contact us if you’d like to volunteer at the Youth Center or at Camp… And pray for changed lives during our Middle School Camp in just a few short weeks. Your involvement brings trust that leads to hope for kids like Justin. ROBERT MILTON 71Five Campus Area Director & Ministry Coordinator (541) 779-3275 robert@71Five.org

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

“Are you okay?”

Posted on May 23, 2019 by Larry Licato | Life Change Story | 0

Have you ever been stopped in your tracks and know it’s from the Lord? On the Friday before Mother’s Day, we honored moms at our Family Fun Night showing the movie: ‘Mars needs Mom’s.’ There’s a mom who comes from a very dangerous situation who brings her young son. In the middle of the movie, the boy suddenly walked out. I followed him outside and tried my best to convince him to come back inside. He was very angry for what seemed to be no reason. I first asked nicely, then with a bit more explanation and finally, I thought, I’ll just demand he go inside. That’s when it happened… As if Jesus stood between me and the boy, put his hand on my chest and said, “Stop! Larry, he’s hurting.” Wow, my heart changed, and my head cleared. I walked over and sat next to him, leaned in and whispered, “Are you okay?” He went from anger to sorrow and wept so hard he couldn’t breathe. “What’s up buddy?” He said, “I miss my dad and haven’t seen him for 1 year and 5 months.” I told him that I understood because I miss my dad too. I asked him, “Would you like to pray?” He said, “No… I’m not ready yet.” After a few moments in silence, he caught his breath, wiped his tears, and we quietly went inside… met by a hug from his waiting mom.

We ended the evening with a message about the sacrificial love of mothers, even when we do stupid things or make bad choices and how Jesus’ love for us is even greater. Your involvement brings trust that leads to hope in a place that’s physically, emotionally and spiritually safe. If you’d like to get more involved with 71Five City, please check us out at 71Five.org or call me at (541) 779-3275 and don’t forget to tell your mom you love her, no matter what day it is! LARRY LICATO 71Five City Director (541) 779-3275 larry@71Five.org

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

awkwardly trying to fit in

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Farrah Guthrie | Life Change Story | 0