Aslan Youth Ministries

A Presidential Point of Light

58 Maple Avenue * Post Office Box 270 * Red Bank, New Jersey 07701-0270
Telephone: 732-741-7824 * Facsimile: 732-741-3284 * E-Mail: aslanyouth@aslanyouth.org
Web Address: http://www.aslanyouth.org

December 18, 2003

Dear Friend:

On the way home from our Christmas party in Asbury Park, New Jersey this evening, I couldn’t stop smiling.  The children were so happy at the party.  As our little ones headed for the bus to take them home, an Aslan volunteer overheard one nine-year-old girl (her arms filled with presents) whisper to herself, “God blessed me tonight.”  These little ones unfortunately don’t have much to smile about.   The events of the afternoon got me thinking about a question that I’m sometimes asked:  “Exactly what is it that makes Aslan Youth Ministries so special?” 

This question always takes me back to some wonderful words that Jesus speaks about one little sheep and the caring shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine behind to go out into the hills searching for the one sheep that is lost.  Looking into the faces of our Aslan children, you can see a yearning for someone to come and rescue them.  They long to be valued by someone – anyone.  And that’s why they love to come to Aslan.   Because we love them and care for them so deeply, each child who walks through our doors knows how special they are to us.

Several weeks ago, Lynn Ann was down in the public housing projects in Asbury Park visiting with Elyssa, James’ mother.  Elyssa was frantic.  She was getting daily calls from the schools telling her that James was in trouble, and over the past several weeks the school had put James (age 7) on permanent in-school suspension.  His behavior has been so bad that he’s not allowed in his classroom.  Elyssa has literally been at her wits end, talking with school counselors, principals and teachers who have offered her no hope.

What we at Aslan see in James is a very bright little boy who is sweet and well-behaved when he’s in a calm, loving and disciplined environment.  A couple of weeks ago Lynn Ann came home one night and said, “I wonder if we can get James into Westside Christian Academy?”  Westside is a wonderful private Christian school started by Elmer & Doris Jackson.  Its small, intimate and very personal touch provides children with the opportunity to learn in a safe and quiet environment.  As with Aslan, Elmer & Doris see the potential in each child rather than the surface problems of behavior and attitude.

This week Lynn Ann twice accompanied James and his mother to Westside Christian Academy where he’s gone through the entrance testing process.  The first day James was so afraid that Lynn Ann had to stay at the school with him until the testing was complete.  However, Elyssa said that last night James carefully laid out his school clothes in preparation for his final testing this morning.  He’s even been telling his friends that he’s so happy he will get to go to a new school where the people really care about him.  What a tremendous change from the daily kicking and screaming fits Elyssa has experienced with James for the past several months.

This whole process has taken a lot of Lynn Ann’s time, but it emphasizes, once again, why Aslan’s approach is so different.  We are not a “drop-in center” or an after school “latch-key” program.  And we don’t wait for the children to come to us!  We are personally involved in the lives of our Aslan flock.  Even though Lynn Ann is directly in charge of 45 children from Asbury Park and supervises our Long Branch and Red Bank programs, she is still willing to take the time to work with this one family and this one child – for as long as it takes to bring real hope to the situation!  This same attitude is true of all our Aslan staff members.  Whatever the cost, we’ll be there for these kids.  And that’s why Aslan Youth Ministries is special.  We truly love every one of the 300 children who come to tutoring and Bible class and summer camp and bicycle trips and cooking class and basketball and on and on and on!  And we’re willing to stop everything . . . and go back like the shepherd – however far it is necessary . . . and look – for as long as it takes . . . and with God’s help mend – no matter how broken the heart . . . these precious little lives.   

May you have the merriest Christmas and a wonderful new year.  And please remember that, with your prayers and support, we’ll be here day and night for these children in such need. 

Sincerely in Christ,

Craig

Craig Bogard

Note:  James’ & Elyssa’s names have been changed to protect their privacy.