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

January 22, 2005

Dear Friend:

The big blue bus rattles on. As I sit in the front seat awaiting the arrival of students for our weekly Bible Class meeting I peer out the window. My heart drops a little as the awareness of the area we are driving through settles in. Run down houses that needed painting long ago and a fence with a spray painted warning to “loitering” (a.k.a. drug deals) are some of the better spots. Pulling into the Public Housing Projects of the city again I am struck by the destitute area. Bottles and garbage litter the ground as concrete buildings stand end to end. The doors to numerous dank living quarters begin to swing open and laughter fills the air. The sweet sound of children clambering to get on the bus to go to “Aslan” stands in stark contrast to the impoverished neighborhood surrounding them. My mood lifts as they begin to filter on the bus.

“I asked for a hooded jacket with fur on it and some gold jewelry, “I hear a voice behind me quip. “Well. I’m gonna get a CD walkman and some clothes,” another chimes in. “Yeah, well I asked for a cell phone.” a third voice chirps. This conversation is too good to pass up. It’s about Christmas that is only a couple of weeks away and I have to join it. Turning to see 12 year old Lashauna in an old sweatshirt on a day when she ought to be donning a coat, I realize who spoke first. “Are you guys talking about Christmas?” I ask. “Yeah, I can’t wait to see what they get me?” Laushauna shoots back. “Who? Your Mom?” I naively inquire. “No the Aslan people!” Lashauna’s friend Trudy chimes in. “That’s right the Christmas Party is next week!” I exclaim acting like I forgot. We all giggle for a moment and then continue on talking about how fun the party will be. There will be treats, and food, and of course Christmas presents.

At the end of the evening as the last child is dropped off, I climb into my car once again aware of my surroundings. Driving home my mind wanders back to the conversation on the bus. The reality that the gifts Laushauna receives from Aslan will most likely be her only Christmas gifts begins to penetrate my very soul. And she is not the only one, Trudy also and most of the other children in all our programs from Bible Class to Tutoring will count these as their only presents.

Later that week as Christmas presents begin to arrive I am overwhelmed by the generosity of our Aslan donors. It is not uncommon to see five or six presents arrive for one child, from one donor. I know that the Lord heard the prayer of my heart that for once these children might experience what it feels like to be spoiled. As we are putting gifts together and making sure that every child is taken care of I come across a huge gift bag for Lashauna. It feels soft on the outside and only a couple of pieces of tissue paper cover the top. Alright I admit it I am worse than a little kid and my curiosity got the best of me, I had to look. Could it be? It was a pink hooded jacket with fur trim! I started dancing around the room, and squealing. She was going to be so excited!

Jesus really does care about every little detail of these children’s lives. Receiving the very gift they asked for is God’s way of caressing their hearts and saying, “I really love you more than you know.”

Unfortunately, the downside to Christmas at Aslan is that we don’t see the children open their gifts. Knowing these are most of, if not all, they receive for Christmas they are required to take them home and open them at the discretion of their parents. However, I have seen Laushauna since Christmas with her jacket on. She came, running up to me screaming, “Look what I got!” Her face was beaming with joy.

Thank you to each and every person this Christmas who purchased a gift, food or donated money towards our Christmas efforts. Many of you do not have the privilege that I do of spending time with these children and their families. They would not have Christmas without your love and support. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need and has no pity on him how can the love of God be in him? Dear children let us not love with words or tongues but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18. Thank you for loving in actions and in truth.

Thank you so very much for your wonderful gift(s). Because you care, the world is being changed, day-by-day, through the work of Aslan Youth Ministries.

Sincerely in Christ,
Craig
Craig Bogard