“I knew it was just a matter of time before I missed it,” expressed Grace on the way home from our day trip to the Waterworks Park in Redding California. “That was the longest summer, and I couldn’t wait to get back to go to Thursday’s club. The environment at 71Five is a comfortable and safe one, and the energy there is unlike any other! And high school camp was so awesome! I’ve never felt so safe and confident being myself. I’m SO going to tease my brother on how much he missed out on not coming today!” These are the words coming from a teenage girl who, when I first met her, would never leave her younger brother’s side and only attend Elementary Club at 71Five, even though she was in high school. Seeing her leave home, attend a 4-day camp where she accepted Jesus as her Lord & Savior and was baptized, and then come to an event all on her own and share her feelings towards our high school club with such positivity and excitement made my heart overflow with abundant joy! This was a sweet reminder that every moment we spend with these kids makes a difference. Whether it’s one-to-one mentoring or group mentoring, seeds of hope are being planted and kids’ lives are being changed.

 

Thank you for being a part of each of these kids’ personal growth and maturity in the confidence of Christ! You are making a difference!

 

 

The first week of school I received a text from one of our volunteers. It was a picture of her son Alonzo’s homework. When asked to write about something he enjoyed, his written answer was, “71Five, I enjoy learning about god with my family…” Alonzo regularly attends our Kids Club with his siblings and cousins at 71Five City West Medford. His parents are also here serving as volunteers. It’s amazing to see the Lord reach an entire family as we share His story of hope with young people.

 

Thank you for giving them a place to build relationships and learn about God.

 

 

Hailie was one of the first students I met when I began at 71Five Campus. She was very quiet and reserved. After many conversations, Hailie shared that she had accepted Jesus some time ago, but wasn’t ready to fully commit. As 71Five’s Summer High School Camp was approaching, I prayed for Hailie, that she would fully surrender her life to Christ. After the very first day at camp, she was a whole new Hailie! She was more bubbly than ever and was making new friends. On the last night at dinner, I brought up baptism, and before I could finish my sentence Hailie boldly said, “I want to get baptized!” Hailie was ready to “go all in.”

 

You made this story possible by giving scholarships to kids for 71Five Camp this summer… so teens like Hailie can finally go all in!

 

 

The summer went quicker than expected, although there were times I thought it would never end… We held a summer class of four students where they were challenged by a project of building two sheds for the local school. We had hot days of over 100 degrees so encouraging the students to endure through the heat was an equal challenge to the construction. As the work started, Christian, one of our students, said, “It’s too hot out here!” After suffering for a few days but not wanting them to quit, I brought three big umbrellas to provide some shade. The young men faithfully came throughout the summer, showing up to class early, working long days and then for two students, piling themselves and a bike into my little car to get home. In the middle of this tough, hot, grind, relationships were built, and lives were changed.

 

Whether before class, building sheds, making many mistakes, taking students home, or going out to lunch, you provided creative ways to build trusting relationships that lead to hope. These students learned to work hard in uncomfortable conditions. They learned new skills in the building trade. Best of all, they learned they are loved. Thank you for making a difference.

 

 

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!!