Dear friends:

On September 19, 1991, President George Bush named Aslan Youth Ministries one of his “Thousand Points of Light.”  Over 15,000 nominations came to the White House during President Bush’s term in office, and one of the primary reasons for Aslan’s being honored is the deep level of involvement by our army of volunteers.  We presently have over 275 caring and dedicated individuals who give of their time and talents to “change the world” through Aslan.

Victoria and Carlos Perez epitomize the level of dedication that so many of our volunteers bring to Aslan.  After serving as mentor/tutors for 5 years, they then became involved with Aslan’s Bicycling Program.  Victoria (an engineer in management at Bell Communications Research) and Carlos (an engineer in management at AT&T) are both very busy people.  However, they always find time for the children of Aslan.  The following narrative by Victoria will give you a window into the hearts of our Aslan volunteers.

TRAINING FOR A CHALLENGE
By Victoria Perez

“It is 8:00 AM on a beautiful Saturday morning.  The bikes are all lined up as kids start showing up.  They pick up their T-shirts, helmets, gloves, and water bottles.  The adults are checking the tires, the seats, the kids’ helmets….   We all are getting ready for another training ride in preparation for the Cheesequake Challenge.  This is Aslan’s 30-mile bike ride from Red Bank to Cheesequake State Park, including overnight camping, and then cycling the 30 miles back.   Approximately 15 kids and 6 adults participate each year in the Challenge.
 
After the usual instructions and prayer, the kids take their place in a single file.  The adults position themselves in the front, middle and back.  We are now ready and looking forward to another 10 – 20 mile training ride.  Each ride includes some tough hills, challenging traffic crossings and a stop in a beautiful park.  In the park the kids can explore the trails and have a snack before heading back to our starting point.  I am always in the back.  I love the sight of this single file of beautiful kids, all with the same T-shirts and white helmets and all excited with the challenge of the day.

I can see Renee.  This is her fourth year.  I remember her always being in the back, struggling, not knowing what gear to use, wanting to be able to climb those hills without stepping off her bike and having to walk.  This year she has climbed all the hills!  She is right there with all the other kids, changing her gears the right way, making it happen.  Her big smile and the sense of pride she feels when she arrives at the top of the hills is worth a million dollars.  I can see Isabel struggling with her attitude and yet accepting that she can do better and being proud when she does.   I can see Andre, the quiet little kid of four or five Challenges ago...  now one of the older kids.  Still quiet, yet now in a leadership position.  Andre is in charge of putting the bikes back in the basement in the correct order at the end of each ride.  It is not clear how he inherited this job, but he knows it’s his and he does it with a great deal of pride and responsibility.

I see these and the other kids.  I think of their lives, of their daily difficulties.  I see this beautiful single file…  I see the children responding to instructions and advice... I see their desire to succeed in this challenge... I see their pride with the little triumphs… that hill, that left turn.  I see hope!"

Thank you so much for your gifts and prayers.  We need your support to help us continue to bring hope to so many children in need!

Sincerely in Christ,

Craig

Craig Bogard

P.S.  The dedication of people like Victoria and Carlos seems to have no bounds.  After the 30-mile trip to Cheesequake on May 15th, Carlos quickly brought Victoria back home where she showered and left immediately on a business trip to Argentina!  Carlos then returned to Cheesequake to spend the night chaperoning the Aslan kids, cycling home with them the next day.