Not long after joining Aslan, social services thankfully stepped in and removed Melissa and her young brother, Jarell, from the home. For several months, we had no idea where the children were placed. Then one day in downtown Red Bank, who should we see walking down the street but Melissa and Jarell! It was cold and rainy and Jarell was crying with a terrible toothache, so we loaded the two of them in our car and took them to their foster mother.
Melissa is worldly wise far beyond her young 14 years, but it is a maturity which has been forced upon her. When you look into her eyes, you see fear and brokenness. You also see no hope whatsoever. The fact she never gives us a problem is less related to some inherent good behavior on her part than it is to her simply losing the will to fight. At every turn life has defeated her, so why should she expect anything less than defeat in the future? During the last few months, however, there has been a new spark of hope in Melissa. At evening youth classes she has shared her pain openly and encouraged other girls to open their hearts to God's love. She has also shown a lot of excitement about being a part of the Aslan Haiti team. Maybe in seeing the desperate needs of others (and in a small way helping speak to those needs), Melissa can find healing and hope spring to life in her own heart. Perhaps being a part of this important project will be the defining moment in her life - something which will change her forever.
Please accept our sincerest thanks for your support of this work through your gifts and prayers. Aslan Youth Ministries is a window and a doorway for Melissa, Jarell and so many precious children. It is an open window for the warmth of God's love to shine in their hearts. It is an open doorway of opportunity upon opportunity--encouraging children to reach deep within themselves and believe. With faith and perseverance, they can and will overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacles against them.
Most sincerely,