NEWSLETTER: MAY, 2005

Hidel is a short, quiet little boy. His eyes communicate; they connect. It's almost as though he uses them instead of speaking. I've known him for most of his eight years. He is a loner. He fits into the background, He quietly comes, He quietly goes. For years we knew him as the kid who seldom talked and never smiled. Knowing more than I should about his life at "home," I sort of understood but there are some things you just can't change.

Today as Hidel was standing in back of me next in line for a shower, for some reason he gave me a hug and looked up into my eyes. Several times now he has come to me and hugged me for no apparent reason. No comment; not even a smile. Just a hug. A lonely little kid simply looking for a friend.

Hidel has been changing lately. He is becoming a problem in school. He's getting poor grades, fighting and stealing from the other kids. Last week, when these problems came to a head with his teacher, he blurted out that he wanted to be like his big uncle, a drug addict and thief. "He gets along!" Hidel said. "No one gives me anything to eat; I have to take care of myself!" Then silence.

His sickly old grandmother always brought him to our work days and so we saw him regularly. Two weeks ago his grandmother died. He has no father. His mother and uncle are in a mental hospital.

It's difficult to find our part in all of this.

I saw him today and called him over to my car "Would you like a little car?" I asked. He looked at me and smiled. I let him choose a model car, then he was off to his world.

We want to thank you for letting us reach out to these families. Today we gave groceries to a long line of families, $400 Worth of produce. Children got new or clean used clothing. Our two barbers were busy cutting hair and our doctor spent hours ministering to those with health problems. This all happens because of you. But perhaps more than any of this is the opportunity you give us to share a little love with kids like Hidel.

Thanks for being part of our team.

For all of us, Pastor von.