FEBRUARY 8, 2008

Dear Friends,

 We won’t see clearly until we look humbly: Bring all the art and
science of the world, and baffle and humble it with one spear of grass. 
~ Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman describes a single blade of grass as the journey work of the stars. Once on my morning run, I paused, bent, and beheld blades of grass under my feet. It is amazing, the resilience, and strength of so small, so humble a thing. As I lingered in observation, I asked - how much more should I marvel over a child? When Jesus was asked, "Who is greatest?" he pointed to a child, the most vulnerable among people, then he said, "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Today a mother informed me that her son, Thomas, died of AIDS. This child of ours, Thomas, danced with me, held onto me as I wrapped my arms around his thin body and offered trust as I searched deep into his eyes for an inner connection. He suffered and today, I wept for him. His mother states that REACH has been a blessing, a safe place of refuge along with others suffering the affects of HIV/AIDS.

The loss of Thomas causes me to ask you to stop what you are doing, pause, and seriously consider looking into the eyes of children that pass you by; they are, after all, your children, mine – ours. Extend your trust, grasp their hopes, risk love and help make their dreams come true.

REACH works for just such a connection and as a result, continues to experience increased demand to serve. We experienced a 33% increase in our case management services in 2007. Over the past two years, participation in the mentoring program has increased by nearly 50% and Camp is now at capacity. While we celebrate the recognition in the community, still, it means we have waiting lists for some of our programs. The Kaiser Foundation reports that the number of children and families affected by HIV/AIDS continues to climb, that as many as 300,000 persons in the U.S. are unaware that they are infected, with 40,000 new cases of HIV reported every year. Demand for REACH’s services will only increase.

The investment of energy and resources in the children of our communities reflects our heart for children around the world, please I beg of you, partner with us, invest, for the sake of – our children.

Your Servant,

Susan K. Slonaker

P.S. Please consider a gift of $25, $50 or $100 this month. Ask at your workplace about matching funds, and please designated REACH Ministries when you contribute through The United Way. Thank you.