Surf, Sand, & Smiles

Saturday June 9th a few Lives Worth Saving team mates & i brought 10 kids from inner city Santa Ana to a Crystal Cove beach day 12pm-4:45pm. That picture is with a  sweet 10yr old boy named Jesus who had NEVER stepped foot onto a beach before!He & the other kids made sand castles, boogie boarded & played in the surf, some for the very 1st time!!! These kids have grown up on a notorious street where there is a lot of gang violence, drugs, abuse, alcoholism, etc. These kids (ages 8-13yrs old) walk to school in fear everyday. During these several hours of carefree beach fun,they were FREE to just be KIDS! And their smiles never ended. It was hard to even lure them OUT of the water to feed them lunch! They (and i) were amused by the squirrels  and sea gulls attempting to take off with their half-eaten cheetos bags haha

To me, throwing a nerf football around in the surf with a boy named Brandon for an hour isn't something  HUGE or extraordinary. BUT...afterwards he told me that no one ever spends that time with him to play.That was hard to hear. I am thankful that God can use us in the LITTLE ways to make GIGANTIC impacts in peoples' lives.This day was unforgettable for me, and i know it will be for those kids! We NEED to catch these kids early in life before they head down the wrong path! I DO NOT want to see their beautiful faces behind the walls of Juvenile Hall, YGC, Joplin, or YLA!!!!!

I personally had countless number of people who invested into my life as a child, teenager & throughout my 20's: teachers, youth pastors/leaders, family members, friends, & others who crossed my path. If we aren't investing in the lives of youth & many of them don't have a stable family  environment to receive that from- WHERE and WHO will they get that from? Many times, sadly, in gangs.

Kids/teens who grow up without a father around, especially in this community, have a very high percentage of joining a gang, committing crimes=ending up arrested/in Juvenile Hall, prison, or tragically-dead.And since i have been ministering to imprisoned teenagers for the last 7years, i hear story after story of how their fathers are involved with gangs, abandoned them, are abusive, or are in prison. Many times the moms also are involved in drugs & are simply in denial or turn their head to what is going on in their own homes. Or are intimidated by their own teens/violent drug use/anger & behaviors. 

Makes me even more thankful for  my wonderful loving parents!My father and mother who have always been there for me. My father always worked hard  to provide for my mom & my sister & i.My mom always made sure she was there when i got home from school. They attended every swim meet, basketball game, volleyball game, & prays daily/weekly for my my Juvenile Hall teens and i.He cared enough to be strict with me & discipline me, out of love. I appreciate him NOW more than ever before.But i am also grateful that God, my Heavenly Father, is a Father to the fatherless.Each one of these children are so precious and valueable.The lack of fathers & good male role models for these youth really break my heart.Some of the Christian men in Lives Worth Saving & in the community of Santa Ana are realizing this great gap & are beginning to stand up & make a difference!

SOLUTION?=BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, INVESTING IN THE LIVES OF THE MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN & CONTINUE TO SHARE GOD'S LOVE & TRUTH. DISCIPLESHIP.MENTORING.WALKING THROUGH LIFE WITH PEOPLE. LIVING IN COMMUNITY.  (which is why i will be moving there, as soon as i fundraise enough support money to move out! I am in process of looking for a room to rent in those neighborhoods)

More pics from Crystal Cove Beach Day :)

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

I recognized one of these young girl's faces & realized that i had met her a few months ago while walking the dark allies of Santa Ana during our Gang Intervention hours.I believe one or more of her family members are deeply involved in gang violence, putting her & her family/friends in jeopardy daily. PLEASE  pray for these children, that they would continue to have Goldy people in their life to guide them! Kids sadly get jumped into gangs as young as 8yrs old!

I'll be sending another blog soon, updating you on other ministries/events going on & what God is doing in the lives of the youth/communities!If you are interested in helping me with rent money/living expenses, my donation info is on  the right side of my blog site!I am in great need of consistent monthly supporters!But thankful for anything, every bit helps! Thanks for reading & for your prayers & support! In Christ, Michelle

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Psalm 71:5