Jason, Rakiem and Devon** are three brothers who come to Aslan (rain or shine).  Rakiem and Devon have naturally sunny dispositions and are both a lot of fun to be around.  Jason (the oldest at 14) can have a difficult attitude at times, but he usually snaps out of it with a little coaxing.  The boy's mother is a lovely woman who is struggling to raise her kids by herself.   To make matters worse, she was recently laid off from the job she has held for several years.

Mother and sons live in a very small apartment in Red Bank.  They almost never see their absentee father who has been in and out of jail over the past 10 years.  They are one of the poorest families we work with, and the extremely high cost of living in this area only makes matters worse.  The boys clothes are clean, but worn and often threadbare.  Several years ago - before we better understood how poor the family was - we wondered why the mother would only allow one or sometimes two boys to go on special Aslan outings.  Then we realized that she was being forced to choose, because there was never enough money for all three boys to go.  Since that time, Aslan tries (when resources are available) to provide scholarship help for Jason, Rakiem and Devon, so they can all participate in special activities.

Subsistence living - just getting by from one paycheck to the next - cannot be a pleasant way for any family to live.  This is only one of the many reasons why Aslan's influence and impact in these boy's lives (and their mother's life as well) is so vitally important!  Our Christian leadership training classes, mentor/tutoring, recreational programs, bicycle trips, summer camps and meeting special needs for back-to-school clothing, winter blankets and holiday food baskets provide Jason, Rakiem, Devon and their mother with a wonderful support structure in their otherwise chaotic lives.  Aslan helps young people develop confidence in themselves, their abilities and their potential.  We help children understand that God loves them individually and personally and that His love can transform their lives from the inside out!

Thank you so very much for your gifts and your prayers.  Government-supported social programs believe that change can be realized through dealing only with physical, educational or emotional needs.  Aslan Youth Ministries believes that lasting change happens on the inside and works outward when the whole person - body, mind and spirit - is touched.  And that is why Aslan continues, with God's gracious help, to change the world . . . one child at a time!
 

In His love,

 Craig

Craig Bogard

** Note:  I have changed these young men's names to protect their privacy.