August 15, 2003

Dear Friend:

Several hours ago, Tara walked into our office, grinning from ear to ear, and flopped into a chair next to Lynn Ann.  “It’s so hot out there, but mmmm it feels good in this air conditioning!”  Lynn Ann said, “Tara, every time you come into this office you’re smiling.  You must be having a great time at day camp.”  Tara looked at her with her face glowing and said, “I am.  But I smile every time I come in here because I see you!” 

This girl has worn that beautiful smile since last summer.  Before she went to Creation Festival with us, it seemed as though Tara never smiled.  In trouble in school all the time and living in a cramped apartment, her life just didn’t seem to be going anywhere.  But something clicked one night at Creation.  She suddenly turned to Queenie, our Red Bank Program Director, and said, “What’s wrong with me?  I can’t stop smiling!”  Queenie replied, “Nothing’s wrong with you, girl.  You’ve just been touched by the Spirit of God!” 

So many of our Aslan kids are filled with grief and pain.  I understand.  No one in this world is exempt from suffering and sorrow.  It’s just that Lynn Ann and I were both raised by loving parents who constantly watched over us, protected us, and helped guide us through the rough waters.  Unfortunately, this is not the norm for so many of the young people we work with.  Don’t get me wrong - many of our kids have wonderful moms who love them to pieces.  Very few, however, have fathers in their lives.  When you factor in the devastating circumstances of difficult, dangerous and sometimes violent neighborhoods, you can see why it’s so hard for them to make it in life.  With a lot of our kids, there really isn’t a whole lot to smile about.

As you look at this letter you’re probably asking yourself why we’re always printing pictures of smiling kids!  The answer is pretty simple.  When all is said and done, it really isn’t about Lynn Ann or me or Queenie, Doug, John, Leneita, Claudia, Hillary, Barbara or our almost 300 dedicated volunteers.  It’s all about God and His love!

For 28 years we’ve told anyone who would listen that the one thing that makes Aslan different is our spiritual foundation.  It isn’t about religion – man reaching up to try and find God.  It’s about relationship – God reaching down and finding us.  Without Aslan’s spiritual foundation, we would be just one more social service organization – trying to do some good with one hand tied behind our backs!  For the past 40 years America has seen thousands upon thousands of well meaning people trying to make a difference and change our inner cities.  If money and organizations were the answer, you’d think the problems would have been solved by now.  Trillions of tax payer dollars later, America’s inner cities have more problems than ever!  Without touching the whole person – body, mind and spirit – you’re really wasting your time.

The children who come to Aslan smile because they know we love them and they know God loves them.  We are a voice crying in their wilderness, “With God’s help,  you can!”  We see success and hope in every set of eyes we look into.  I don’t know where Tara’s life will take her, but I know she learned to smile at Aslan.  Wherever she goes in this world, she’ll take God’s love with her.  And she’ll pass that love around!

We are blessed and privileged to be here for the children of Aslan.  It’s a simple fact that we cannot do this without your prayers and financial generosity.  So we thank you so much for your support that makes this ministry possible.  Every once in a while someone will ask us what difference a 5-day camping experience really makes in the life of an Aslan kid.  We just smile and say, “You don’t know Tara!”

Sincerely in Christ,

Craig

Craig Bogard