Dear Partners, Friends and Family,

I am thankful for you and so glad to be connected with you as we minister to East St. Louis together.

I pray that you are filled with HOPE for this NEW year, that it will be your BEST ONE YET!

Do you have dreams stirring in your heart for the NEW year? If so, don't just throw them away because they "seem" too big. Don't be afraid to move towards your BIG dream... one small step at a time.

DREAMING with you,
Rachel :)

Making Memories

A few weeks ago, a volunteer opened his home for us to have a Christmas party for the teens. This volunteer lives in a very nice neighborhood. When the teens saw the houses in this neighborhood, they were in awe! They stood there in the drive way, soaking it all in. One boy said, "Man, just seeing these houses made my night!"

We had pizza, played a game and gave them gifts. They were giggling the whole night! While we were eating dinner, several of the teens starting telling all of the jokes they knew, making the volunteers crack up laughing.

In the car ride back home, one of the boys asked a volunteer a personal question, and this volunteer was able to open up and share his story. This was a God moment! The teen that asked this question has been one, who over the years we have diligently pursued, but he is just now starting to come around and connect himself to us. Another car sang Christmas songs on the way home and talked about the journals they received as part of their gift.

Being able to give them this memorable night was so fulfilling! It was great to give them a night away from the neighborhood. Getting out of their environment, always brings breakthrough moments, open hearts and a renewed vision that there is more for them than what they see every day.

Thank you for helping us to give them these opportunities!