Aslan Newsletter of March 28, 2002

Several weeks ago there was a drug bust on Borden Avenue, a street bordering the housing projects in Asbury Park.  It was only a matter of time until the police raided the place.  At times there were twenty or more people milling around outside one particular house where some of our Aslan kids live.  On one occasion a prostitute approached one of our staff members.  Another time the same individual was offered his choice of any drug.  On Borden Avenue, money and drugs were routinely and openly exchanged for all to see.

After the house was empty for a couple of weeks, the mother and children have moved back in.  The drug trafficers appear to be gone for the moment, and life has sadly returned to normal.  I say “sadly” because normal life for many of our Aslan children is absolute and utter chaos.  Last summer Lynn Ann and I were visiting a family in the projects, and the main topic of conversation was how the night before a mother of three Aslan kids had tried to beat another lady with a baseball bat.  She would probably have killed the woman, had other adults not restrained her.  Our children experience things like this every day.  They eat, drink and breathe violence from the time they’re born.  Is it any wonder they come to live what they learn? 

Last week, Dashon (a 15-year-old Red Bank teen) was involved in a fight about an hour before our evening classes.  His mother showed up toward the end of class - cursing at him about the incident and threatening him.  He didn’t want to leave with her, but we calmed things down enough for him to go.  Because of the fight, Dashon was suspended from school for the week.   On Thursday - out of sheer boredom and frustration - he tried to get on the school bus and was promptly arrested.  At home, school and on the streets, Dashon is stuck in a dead end life going nowhere.  At Aslan, he is amazingly well behaved and respectful.  Now he’s facing charges that could put him in juvenile detention for a long time.  Without our help, he’ll likely end up dead or in prison.  It’s as simple as that! 

Children live what they learn.  I cannot tell you enough how important your prayers and your giving are to the ongoing work of Aslan.  Through your generosity, we at Aslan are given the privilege and opportunity to teach these children that there is a better way than violence.  Please pray for Dashon and all our Aslan kids.  There is a peace that “surpasses all understanding” [Philippians 4:7], and that peace can be theirs. 

Most sincerely,

NOTE:  I have changed Dashon’s name to protect his privacy.