Aslan Newsletter of June 18, 1997
This week I was talking with Barbara, a member of Aslan's Speaker's Bureau, about the "trials and tribulations" of working with disadvantaged youth. She reminded me of the time several years ago when she taught an afternoon youth class for Aslan. After getting her started with 7 or 8 sixth grade girls, Lynn Ann left to take care of other business. However, she was not far down the road before she felt impressed to go back and see how Barbara was doing. It was a good thing! When Lynn Ann walked back into the room, she found Barbara in tears. You see, working with these children is a very difficult job. You have to have a patient and forgiving heart or you might as well not apply! In spite of a rough start, Barbara went on to be a good teacher who was much loved by her children.

Our experience with Jeron** during the past few months is another example of how difficult this work can be. Although he is one of our favorite kids (and one who went with us to Haiti last summer), he has lately chosen a self-destruct mode and is willfully pushing everyone who cares about him out of his life. His behavior in evening classes was so bad that we asked him not to come back until he could control his attitude and his mouth. He became so angry and verbally abusive with Lynn Ann at one of our bicycle training rides that he ended up missing the "Cheesequake Challenge". Then his great-aunt (also his legal guardian) told us she felt he should not participate in Aslan's return trip to Haiti in August. She is afraid he simply cannot be trusted to control his attitude and behavior on a trip so far away from home.

Last week Jeron called Lynn Ann and said, "We've gotta talk!." When she picked him up from school, she found his attitude to be completely changed. He apologized for his behavior and said he really missed being on the Cheesequake ride. He said that the morning of the ride he got up in time to come, but he knew his attitude had ruined his chance of participating. He also sadly expressed how much he would miss being a part of this year's Haiti team.

Thank you so much for your prayers and gifts. Life has not been kind to Jeron, and it would be easy to write him off as a lost cause. In spite of the horrible things he has already experienced during his brief 16 years, only he can choose to let God's love heal him and bring him hope. I know that the courage it took for this hurting teenager to apologize is a good start toward that healing. With patience, forgiveness and a large dose of God's love, this gifted and wonderful young man will one day find his way!

Most sincerely,

** Jeron's name has been changed to protect his identity.