The following is a story told to two of our staff (Ray and Ruth) yesterday by one of our teen moms.

“I was in the courtyard of my complex with my two kids and four others. I was watching when I heard the gunfire start. I grabbed the six little ones, pulled them inside my apartment door, threw them quickly on the floor and laid on top of them.”

I interrupted her story, “How long until the police got there?”

She continued. “Oh, the police don’t come. Nobody calls them. I don’t call them. They (the drug dealers) find out who the snitches are and they come and beat them up, man or woman, it doesn’t matter so I just keep quiet.”

I know that as a new believer in Christ she had separated from her children’s father because they were not married and she wanted to do what was right. “Without a man in the house, aren’t you afraid?” I asked.

She smiled, then giggled and said, “Let me tell you a story. Since I have become a believer my life has changed.” (She has gotten a certificate as a Nurse’s Assistant and has several job leads, the music in her home is now Christian music, and she smiles consistently.) “My ex-boyfriend accused me of having a new man in my life,” she continued “and I told him I do—His name is Jesus.” She smiled broadly and said, “Ray, Jesus is the man of the house, and He watches over me and my girls.”

To paraphrase, Jesus let me say, “I have not found such faith in all the churches I visit.” Not every young person’s story is so dramatic, but we are continually stretched to believe God to watch over the young people to whom we minister. This girl in particular is “aging out” of our program but will continue as a Junior Leader, will continue to attend church with Ruth and I, and will be baptized in a few weeks.

Thank you for your part in our ministry. As we minister, we do so in the name of Christ and as your representatives on His behalf. May the Giver of all good things bless you wonderfully as you have blessed us.

For Christ and the Kids,

Ray and Ruth Lightcap