We’ve all heard the term “Surviving the Holidays.” Getting the family together, deciding who’s bringing what, shuffling through the crowds to get those last-minute items, and racking up those credit cards. For most of the Youth 71Five kids “Surviving the Holidays” takes on a different meaning. After group one night, I asked Kiara how her Thanksgiving was. She replied “hmm, ok.” As I dug a little deeper, she said “I spent the day in my room by myself. I didn’t want to go with my mother to her friend’s house because I don’t want to be around the drinking.” Kiara’s Christmas at home was very similar. “My mom and her boyfriend were fighting so I just stayed in my room all day.” While most of us are “Surviving the Holidays” so to speak, there are youth in our community who really are.

 

Here’s what else Kiara was up to during the holidays. 71Five Campus had a Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, we built gingerbread houses, had a gift exchange, and went ice skating. Due to our generous donors, Kiara was able to attend our high school camp in Sunriver. At camp, Kiara told me she wanted to get baptized. She’d prayed to God she could be the light that enters her home and brings her mother to Jesus. I’d been asking God how I could help these families to know Christ. He answered me that day with… “Teach my children and they will know Me.”

 

Thank you for providing the message of hope through trusting relationships. God is using you to change lives! – FARRAH GUTHRIE, 71Five Campus Area Director – Grants Pass farrah@71Five.org