October 28, 2003

Dear Friend:

We were just getting started last Saturday and Shanaya was already complaining – whining actually.  She was pulling up the rear of a line of bicyclers and saying, “ I can’t go any farther.  It’s just too hard.”  Having just happened 4 days ago, it’s still fresh in our memory.  Lynn Ann, Doug (Aslan’s Rec Director) and I along with two wonderful volunteers were in the beautiful Pocono Mountains for our annual Rolling Thunder Bicycle Tour.  This is a difficult 28 mile ride in Eastern Pennsylvania, so we have to carefully select the students we invite to participate.  It is much harder than any of the other long-distance tours we do with our Aslan kids each spring through fall.  This year we had three girls and three boys participate with us.

We coined the term Rolling Thunder because of the constant elevation changes we encounter in this mountain ride.  Everyone loves the “downhills,” but it’s pretty natural for the kids to not like the “uphills.”  We’re climbing some real mountains here, and even some of the adults have to stop and rest before restarting.  We tell everyone that there is no shame in stopping and no shame in walking if you need to.  However, there is shame in quitting!  I was raised with a saying that has stuck with me over the years:  “Can’t never could do nothin’!”  Now I realize this colloquialism is a double negative, but it’s still the truth! 

Although it greatly tested Lynn Ann’s patience, she hung in there and continued to try and get Shanaya to refocus.  She did get a little frustrated when Shanaya stopped peddling as Lynn Ann was helping push her up the hill!  After 30 minutes of listening to Shanaya whine, Lynn Ann finally said, “There’s no one to take you back and there’s no one to pick you up.  Either ride up these hills or walk.  One way or the other, Shanaya, you’re going forward!” 

Everything we do at Aslan is an object lesson to help children see beyond all the limitations and problems they’ve experienced in their lives.  Shanaya exhibits signs of a child who has, for years, experienced serious abuse.  Without Aslan, she would never, ever, attempt anything outside her normal, negative realm of experience.  Life for our Aslan kids is filled with you can’t . . . you’ll never . . . you don’t have the ability . . . you’re nothing.  They hear it at home.  They experience it on the street.  They eat, drink and breathe negative input.  Schools have no expectations for them to succeed, and society in general looks at them as 

nothing more than a liability to be dealt with.  We at Aslan truly have our hands full in trying to help all the children who come through our doors understand and believe in their great value – precious lives who God loves so dearly . . . who deserve the chance and the opportunity to succeed.

Shanaya did a lot of growing emotionally and spiritually in the Pocono Mountains last Saturday.  For just a few precious moments out of her troubled life, she came to understand that with God’s help, “I can!”  She started using all 21 speeds on her bike (especially the lower gears) and peddling herself up those hills.  And when she had to stop and walk, she did so with a smile on her face.  She learned that at the top of every hill there was a wonderful gift – a thrilling downhill ride.  At the end of six hard hours of riding, she was talking about coming back to do it again next year.

We are so thankful that there are individuals like you who give us the opportunity to reach out to Shanaya and so many other children.  We’ve had a challenging year financially, and we’ll need all the help you can give us to meet our budget.  As we approach the year’s end, please remember us and give as God enables you to give.  The Lord is truly at work changing lives for the better through Aslan. Please remember that Aslan cannot exist without your prayers and giving.  

Sincerely in Christ,

Craig

Craig Bogard