SEPTEMBER 15, 2006

Dear Friends,

"Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers . . . do not lag in zeal!"
Romans 12:13, 11

Stand up! Dance to the rhythm of hundreds and thousands of voices over the years belonging to children and volunteers whose comings and goings keep the REACH doors swinging. Kick up your heels, slap those hands together and clap with joy and appreciation for the hundreds who come returning year after year, to shoulder the demands of preparing, producing and packing away a camp. Who provide mentoring, prayer, support, education and programs that by their very definition must tend to a thousand crucial details so that children and their families can, throughout the year amongst the pain and fear, find fun and hope. And, oh, how they do!

As I stand to dance and begin tapping my toe to the beat, I realize that REACH Ministries works to make a difference in the lives of children around the world who resemble one another in that their bodies battle disease but differ greatly in the needs of their hearts. Some are secure, some with or without fathers or mothers, some are spiritually or physically nurtured and others deprived. Families of every sort are affected by HIV/AIDS and in every case parents, siblings, guardians are worn by the requirements of unrelenting worry and care. REACH works to the constant beat of justice in action, works to meet needs, to love, to extend hospitality and hope, to muster courage and faith in those most likely to lose it.

Author-pastor Frederick Buechner, who knows the pain of human suffering as well as anyone I’ve read, suggests that our hearts have found their place when our "deepest gladness" meets with the "greatest need." This is why I say to you, "stand up and dance": for with deep gladness, REACH meets one of the greatest of needs in our world today.

Joseph, a 13-year-old orphan from Malawi who came to live in the United States with his father’s family states, "I was afraid to share that I have AIDS, and I still wonder why me? Through REACH, I am gaining confidence, I am loved and now have a sense of hope."

"Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers . . . do not lag in zeal" help us keep those doors swinging for the children of REACH. The apostle said it for us: "Contribute." The needs are great and only with your financial help can we continue to meet them.

Blessings my friends,

Susan K. Slonaker