During the early part of 1996, we awarded a $1,500 scholarship to Jason, a long-time Aslan student now in his junior year of college. With this Aslan scholarship, Jason spent his spring semester studying abroad in England! In June we also provided 5 Aslan graduating high school seniors with scholarships of $200 each for college expenses.
Our popular bicycling trips - reaching over 30 youth during the late spring and early fall - were a smashing success this year. Through a generous grant from the Sunfield Foundation, (a community-minded foundation from the Red Bank area), Aslan will be able to replace our dilapidated old bicycle fleet with new 21 speed mountain bikes. What a tremendous boost this will be for all the kids who take part in these challenging rides!
We just this week started the Aslan Adult Basketball League. Over 50 young men (many of them former Aslan players) are playing in our Saturday night league. This will give us a wonderful chance to continue having a positive impact in these men's lives and the lives of their families.
I could write pages about the large number of individuals touched in 1996 through our numerous other programs - food and clothing, Haiti '96, summer camps, Christmas gift program and on and on. We thank God for continuing - brick by brick and day by day - to build the "house" of Aslan Youth Ministries. We have lots of hopes and dreams for 1997. What an important part you play through your prayers and giving to help the dreams of Aslan become a reality. Please keep Aslan in your prayers, and please continue to give generously to this important work.
Most sincerely,