Are we making a difference?

Eugene

Am I really making a difference... this is a question that I occasionally ask myself. I pray that I am. Last Tuesday the local news had a sad story that broke my heart and caused me to recall this question. A young man had shot and fatally wounded another young man during an inner city altercation. As this was going on an 8 year old, 3rd grade boy, Eugene Woodside was inside his bedroom doing his homework. Tragically a stray bullet from the shooting ripped through the wood frame house, killing Eugene. The little boy, pictured here on the first day of school, looks like thousands of other little boys that have visited the ALC over the years but as his mother lamented on the news, I wondered about where Eugene would spend the rest of eternity. I remembered just last year we hosted several classes from the same school that Eugene had been attending. I looked up the records and saw that we had hosted all three 2nd grade classes from Albury Sayle primary school last year and most likely Eugene had been to the ALC as a 2nd grader. If so I am assured that Eugene had been loved on by our staff, made to feel special, heard the greatest story about the greatest gift from our Great God ever made and possibly had believe in Jesus while here. Although I can't be sure if Eugene trusted in Jesus, I look forward to the day when we all will be with Christ in Glory and it is my hope that not only Eugene but thousands of other Bahamian boys, girls and adults will be together with you and I because of His great love for us. If you have ever asked the same question about making a difference, I can also assure you by reading this blog and supporting or praying for this ministry, you absolutely are making a difference in tens of thousands of Bahamian children and adults. Thank you!

Every August after a long hot summer camp at ALC and a busy year of running a demanding business for Kim, we look forward to visiting Mark’s family in upstate New York and spending time in the Adirondacks. It’s a wonderful time of rest and renewal for Kim and Mark in addition to a great time of family bonding while connecting with my mom and dad, brother and sisters and family. Adam and Ava especially enjoy their cousins. Fresh air combined with a change of scenery and weather are relished by all. We even had the opportunity to climb Bald Mountain in Old Forge and visit a zoo.

In September, after a week of preparing the ALC  and putting up shutters, we had a close call from hurricane Irma. For us it was only a week of windy weather as it passed to the south and then to the west Nassau. Although God spared us from any damage this time, we pray for those who were impacted by Irma and Maria in other Caribbean countries and  Florida. Over a million people are still without power, tens of thousands are  still homeless and lacking basic needs. I believe it is our responsibility as believers in Jesus to sacrificially pray and help those in need.

Albury Sayle Primary 3rd graders

We invited all the third graders from Albury Sayle (Eugene's classmates) to ALC for a free field trip over the last two days. The children and teachers were so appreciative and affectionate as they enjoyed a day of fun and learning. As we ministered to their hearts by speaking truth into their lives and sharing the love that Jesus has for them, they in turn ministered to us with an outpouring of love and thankfulness.  Please keep Eugene's family and these children in prayer .

Thank you for helping me share the love of Christ and the gospel with Bahamian children. Your financial support allows me to continue in this needed ministry and my life’s passion.  Donations are welcomed through GO! Ministries online at http://goinchrist.com/missionaries/entry/76/ or you can mail a check to:

GO! Ministries

270 East Palais Rd.

Anaheim, CA 92805

with my missionary account #1273 in the memo.