Dear Friends,
As we head into this Christmas season with the news dominated by state budget cuts, worldwide economic uncertainty, and civil unrest, I wanted to share with you one of the many stories of hope that we are seeing through Club Jubilee presence in the Bellevue Middle Schools through Jubilee REACH. Help us to SPREAD THE WORD by forwarding this onto friends and family.
In the midst of soccer practice at Tillicum, a Title-One Bellevue middle school, Coach Jeff heard his phone ring. Accustomed to ignoring his phone during practice, there was something that compelled him to answer this “Unknown Caller”. An anxious woman’s voice, speaking in broken English asked, “Have you seen my son? Is Luis at practice?” A worried, hard working mother did not know where her son was. Desperate that her son was getting into deeper trouble and fearing he had joined a gang, mom went on to express how hard it had become to handle Luis. He would not come home some nights. He was failing in school. Jeff, reassuring her, responded, “I am pleased to tell you, Luis is standing beside me right now. He has been at practice every day. He is one of my best players.”
In relief, and almost disbelief, mom said, “It’s a miracle!” Then she pleaded, “Can you please mentor my son? He needs a coach like you in his life.” Already building in relationship with Luis, Coach Jeff agreed to keep walking alongside Luis, instilling good values, character, responsibility and respect. That’s what sports can do. Before Club Jubilee Sports, Luis hung out at the park next door which has a dark reputation for drug dealing and gang activity. Now Luis has purpose, a goal, and someone who cares about him. To play soccer, he has dedicated himself to his classwork, his team and his family. His attendance is perfect, he is home every evening and his grades have improved from failing to beyond a C average…in little over a month!
Oh…and mom? The next day she inquired about the organization that cared for her son. Together, she and her husband are now engaged in the caring community of Jubilee REACH, attend ESL and will be enrolled in our next Parent Computer Class.
So much more…redeeming sports, redeeming lives, families and futures, like Luis’. It’s a life transformed by a caring coach or mentor. Club Jubilee Sports is reaching the heart of a kid which opens doors to the parents so we can walk alongside and care for a family. We build relationships, earn trust and hear the deeper, unseen needs of those struggling on the margins. We step in the gap. Luis and his family have peace, purpose and hope…a better life for their whole family.
In the past year over 1,000 Jubilee REACH volunteers served as glowing lights in our community. Your financial support has been essential in sustaining us as the ‘salt and light’ Jesus spoke of for hundreds of children and families in need. Your faithful financial support has been stewarded and the impact multiplied, enabling us to expand our REACH more deeply into our community and high needs schools through collaborative cooperation and partnerships bringing together churches, businesses, government, schools and other organizations. As we continuing to love, listen and learn, we’re discovering that the needs are more pronounced, especially at this time of year. During this Christmas season of giving, we’re inviting you to ‘let your light shine’ by making a financial gift to Jubilee REACH, lifting up families like Luis’.
As we serve families through our Community Center, Thrift Store, and reach out to over 4,000 kids in the Bellevue School District Middle Schools, Jubilee REACH continues to model unconditional love and hospitality. Some come with urgent immediate needs; others are families on the verge of homelessness. Often families need medical or dental care, desire to learn English, or need a Caring PEER to walk alongside them through crisis. Help us sustain Jubilee REACH as a light that “cannot be hidden.”
We appreciate your continued prayers and faithful service. “You are the light of the world.” You are the story of transformed lives transforming other’s lives…daily. Thank you for your generosity!
With gratitude and appreciation,
R. Brent Christie
Executive Director
P.S. You may contribute on our secure website, www.jubileereach.org, or send to our address, 14200 SE 13th Pl, Bellevue, WA 98007.
No comments:
Post a Comment