Helping the Hurting - March-April 2001
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More from the Director's Desk
Greetings! At Youth Challenge we are experiencing a great move of God! We are reaching people, their lives are being changed and families are being restored. You will read several testimonials in this newsletter of individuals who now are experiencing new life in Christ.

The vision to reach souls with the life-changing message of the Gospel is paramount! What could be of more value than a precious life restored? There is a treasure in the addict! We can reach them! We can help them!

Great opportunities have been presented to us to continue to expand our outreach. For instance, we have obtained a sturdy residential property next door to our men’s residential center. This will help us further expand and stabilize our ability to minister to those in need. However, we need about $12,000 to install a proper heating system before winter. Along with this project, we are receiving assistance from our friends at a nearby church and other generous souls to waterproof the foundation and add classroom space at the Mission for Women. Now, we only need to match the financial donations to complete the project - that’s another $2500!

Many thanks to our friends who have responded already. You truly live up to your reputation: "A friend in need is a friend indeed!"

Of course, our outreach and day-to-day ministry continues full force. Keeping enough funds available for everyday operations such as transportation, utilities, food and the endless number of other services provided in such a great outreach remains essential. As you can perceive by the enclosed testimonies, we spend our days and nights, our weekends and weekdays our springs, summers, falls, and winters filling people’s needs. So, the results of your giving are more than just buildings, boilers, food and fuel. The real results are new creations! People whose lives are being transformed! The results are real. And you can see them in God’s indescribable gift and your faithful giving: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17)

Please remember that resources are absolutely essential in fulfilling the Mission. You will recall that our friend the Good Samaritan used his donkey to transport the wounded man to the Inn and offered to meet the expenses incurred for his restoration! I gratefully and humbly ask for your continued support as we enter our fourth decade of service! And don’t forget our magnificent upcoming events. These provide not only times of celebration and Thanksgiving, but opportunities to participate in the hands on work of God’s Kingdom.

Respectfully,
Raul Gonzalez
Executive Director