Annual Appeal

Posted by Andy Harrington on 3 December 2009 | 0 Comments

Please allow me to pose three questions to you, followed by a special fourth one.

1] What would you do if you came across a group of skateboarders one night who looked pretty threatening to you?

2] What would you say to a teen-aged mother who is crying out for help after being abused by her boyfriend and abandoned by her parents?

3] How would you demonstrate the love of God in places like Rwanda, an orphange in Mexico or on an isolated First Nations Reserve?

Well....

You would dive into the lives of the skateboarders and be out there rain or shine, building relationships. You would take 150 of them on a crazy trip around the province and you would watch God break into their lives to such an extent that they would start telling their friends about him.

You would comfort the teen mom and tell her that she is loved by you and by God. Then you would invite her to Thrive, a 10 week life skills program that will get her back on her feet and show the love of God in the most practical of ways.

And you would gather groups of teens who want to make a difference and take them to Rwanda to help rebuild a school, to Mexico to come alongside abandoned orphans and a First Nations Reserve to show our brothers and sisters there that they are not alone.  While you are at it you would change these kids' lives.....as well as thousands of others.

How do I know the answers to these questions? Because that is just a snapshot of what our team has done this last year.

We've touched the lives of thousands of kids, allowing them to see and hear the love of God in their own realities. In schools and clubs, at events and camps, through social justice projects and evangelistic events, our team has helped bring a shining beam of God's love into the lives of a new generation.

But we haven't done it alone. We've had partners who have stood with us in every activity, been there every night. They have been an invisible part of every conversation and the resource behind every gift of love.

And so, my fourth question. Will you stand with us to make a difference in the lives of these kids this Christmas?

After a very tough financial year, we need to raise an extra $150,000 to cover our annual deficit and maintain this wonderful work.  That amounts to a gift of $360 from everyone who is receiving this letter, or even better for our planning, a monthly donation of $30.

In other words , for less than the price of two of Starbucks' finest a week, you can see a teen moms' life transformed, a playground built in Rwanda this summer, help run a drop- in night in Richmond or Abbotsford, or send a kid to a wonderful week of activity at one of our summer camps.

Perhaps you cannot give that much. Perhaps you can give more. Whatever you can do, it will help, so please would you send back the enclosed form with your gift to change a young life.

There is a lost and lonely generation out there, but between us, we can help turn that around. So please, join us in our goal of transforming that generation from the inside out.

You make a difference!!

Wishing you a wonderful and Christ-filled Christmas,

Andy Harrington,
Executive Director,
Greater Vancouver YFC/Youth Unlimited.