May, 2010

Dear Friends,

To dream ... the impossible dream ...

To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...

To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...

music by Mitch Leigh and lyrics by Joe Darion

Part 1 of 2 Often I contemplate the bravery of those of you who support REACH in the face of overwhelming adversity. I am grateful for those moments when God allows your lives to intersect with our call; where his purpose is met and good things result.

An example of this happened just a week ago. My mentor, Tony Campolo and I, were at WallaWalla University and Church sharing with that community how God is moving through REACH. It was an amazing time in both evening and morning meetings to dialogue and worship with caring people; to explain how through monthly mentoring of families, by activities held throughout the year, by the experience of camp, REACH helps fulfill the dream, the impossible dream of safety, of fun, of emotional growth for children and families so usually occupied by fighting the unbeatable foe, HIV/AIDS.

I especially want to mention Camp. It is the entry point to year round services provided by REACH. Camp is a place of sharing the unbearable sorrow our families know as a daily reality.

At this time of year, one reality facing REACH is the upcoming cost of camp – one week of sheer joy for families for whom joy is a rare commodity. We have the energy; we have the servant’s hearts of gifted volunteers and staff.

We count on you, our praying and giving partners, to meet the financial requirements for providing a safe and loving space. We are honored to bear their sorrows, to lighten their load. We are grateful to you for making it possible.

Sincerely,

Susan K. Slonaker

This is my prayer...that I, Suzie Slonaker, will continue to live out the impossible dream of serving the isolated, spiritually neglected with us and that you who are not yet supporting us will give one dollar a day $35 a month or more in support of a terminally-ill child for one year. A one-time gift of $1,500 will help send a child to Camp. Give online, through the United Way or at your workplace with matching funds. As long as there are children who are in need, I BEG, with boldness, please help Camp happen this year! We need you with us!