JULY 29, 2008

Dear Friends,

Let me tell you about Marco – he is my hallelujah.

16-year-old Marco plays a mean guitar and with his nimble fingers he finesses complex cords that enter my soul. I silently sing "hallelujah". This young man has talent beyond his years. He dreams of playing at Carnegie Hall, but his increasingly thin body betrays his dream. As he struggles against the debilitating side effects of AIDS, his future is gravely challenged both spiritually and physically.

Marco's parents rejoiced in his birth, his adoption as a baby, his emerging musical gifts, his faith... and now they grieve the reality of a disease that holds no cure. They weep as their son faces a world full of social censure, as he carries a quiver full of imposed limitations. His gifts, his talents, the disease, his disappointments, his dreams… dreams of growing up, of wholeness, health and hope all blend – part joy, part sorrow.

Marco knows he is protected by the love and care REACH provides without denying or changing truth. We are never far away – praying, loving, encouraging, assisting and repairing as much as possible. We rejoice in his music, his love and the community of REACH that surrounds him and children like him who suffer from HIV/AIDS. Somehow, in the mystery of eternity, this work with those who suffer is music to God's ears. Ours is a constant hallelujah; broken, without question, never perfectly sung but never silenced. This praise is what Marco's life and that of other suffering children produces in those of us who love them. This is what we invite you to share with us.

Love,

Susan K. Slonaker

P.S. As long as there are children who are in need, I lay down my life for them and ask with boldness please help Camp happen this year! We need you with us!

Did you know that you can support REACH conveniently and securely online? If you go to "donate" you can make a one-time credit card donation or a pledge of monthly support. If you would like information about making an automatic monthly gift from your checking or savings account, please contact my office and Pat will be happy to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the process. We also invite you to give through the United Way, matching funds at your work place or the Combined Fund Drive, now available. Please select REACH, charity code #1478845, at www.cfd.wa.gov/.