I love this poem that you have written. And i totally agree that in every situation BIG or small… we should give thanks in all circumstances… and be joyful for what we have. I have been going to Dare 2 Share now for 3 years… and everytime i went, i learned something new. And even if i already had learned something and you talked about it… i learned more deeper on the subjects. What really surprised me were the videos you show at D2S in africa… of all the children left out on their own, people that don’t have anything to eat or drink, Innocent people that have to suffer horrible deaths and deseases!

Every year i look forward to those videos… i look forward to collect cans, and learn how to share my faith about Jesus. The reason i feel soo strongly for the people in Africa… is because a lot of them are not wanted because they have AIDS. They are left on their own… left to die. I want to help, be a good example, a good witness, a good friend to those in need. I have always wanted that… and for some reason God decided to put Africa in my heart.

I went to the AIDS program at overlake with the Duvall Youth Group. We put headsets on and went through different curtains, as one person from Africa. The person that i was, was named Kombo. I learned so much… and my heart aced even more for the want to help people like Kombo… it turned out he has AIDS.

Your poem i think relates to a lot of people. People that carry their own burdens, people that know the Lord and live in him… but don’t exept his grace, people that go through hard times and have trouble finding their own identity…. Thats been me. Even though i have struggled with those things i have found a greater peace… on April, 5, 2007 i accepted Jesus into my heart.

It took me sooo long to eccept that Jesus was my Lord, my Savior. I had questions and doubts… and i still do. But now i have someone in me… so that i will never be alone.

One of the huge things i have learned through my years of living in Jesus is that Prayer is a big BIG help… when you are in need:
….. The prayer of a righteousman is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=eaffd39d1a76c175bd32

The link that i sent you… is powerful, and effective. My Youth Group in Duvall did this as a drama… so did my Church in Bellvue, it really is amazing i sudjest that you watch it.

Its about a girl that comes to know Jesus, but then gets distracted by… boys, money, alcohol, her self image… and it finally leads her to cutting herself, then she takes a gun and puts it to her head. As she stands their with the gun… she is afraid and scared, but then she remembers her father that has been with her all the way… and she struggles to get to him, the sin starts to attack her. Jesus is pulling her twards him… and finally lets go and lets the sin beat him up instead…. she is relieved, and overjoyed!

Some people may think that if you have Jesus in your heart that all your problems will go away, but thats not true. If you have Jesus in your heart… you are still going to be faced with many obstacles, and the only difference is that you have someone with you the whole way through.

I am really looking forward to seeing you Greg this year at Dare 2 Share, i’ll hope that i’ll be able to talk to you!
Many blessings to you and your family,

Jesus Freak<3

Wow! You’re right, Ed! [yeah...I'm "old" too! ]