Some Great News

A cool update from Gary. This is why we live where we live:

Hey Everyone:

I would like to thank each of you who have been encouraging Cadet Ruben Torres, our Farm Drive kid who is attending the Grizzly Academy. He is really doing great. He was home on a home pass and got to talk to a lot of you over the weekend. He told me about the encouragement he received from many people at The Scramble on Saturday. Pastor Joe, he was especially appreciative of your comments to him. On Sunday, many people approached him and greeted him, hugged him and told him how proud they were of him. What a smile that kid has. Thanks, Hillside family!!!

We have had a lot of time to talk and two things Ruben is working on are anger issues and holding grudges. He said that he isn’t really angry with anyone but himself, and he is having a hard time getting over that. I talked to him about letting go, and letting God work on him. Sunday’s sermon on God’s love really hit home with him. He knows that God loves him and wants the best for him, but he still feels that he has messed up so badly. We talked about how God can work on even the messiest of problems----that’s His specialty. I told him that I remember a song that Ray Boltz sang that talks about David, and says something like “when others see a shepherd boy, God may see a king.” God already sees the potential in Ruben’s life.

Today, going back to the Academy, we continued our talk. I told him that there are several facts----that God loves him, that God sent His Son to die for him, that nothing he does can be too big for God to work on, and Jesus wants to be his best friend. He said that, in his heart, he knows all that, but that his mind tells him that he’s not worth it. I encouraged him that when he’s ready, to go with the way he feels in his heart. We stopped for pizza before I dropped him off at the Academy, and his little brother asked if he could pray for the food. Not only did he pray for the food, but he prayed for Ruben and his remaining time at the Academy.

When the pizza came, Ruben asked if he could pray, too. Of course!! And right there in the pizza place, Ruben acknowledged his life as a sinner, confessed his sins to God, and asked Christ to come into his life and guide him from now on!!! Wow…………. A short time later, I asked Ruben who his best friend is, and he replied, “Jesus!” I asked, “100%????” And he said, “Yes, 100%!!!” I was on such a high coming home that I don’t think my tires touched the ground!!

Ruben is a Farm Drive “kid” who has had a lot of Hillside influence in his life over the years. From Bible Club to Homework Club to CRAM to various activities, many of us have seen him and worked with him and worried about him. Each of you has had a part in Ruben’s life. Thanks for not giving up on him. Is our Farm Drive ministry worth it? You bet it is!!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!! And may God truly bless you like you have blessed kids like Ruben.

Gary