FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

In the world of turmoil, confusion and deterioration of our society, parents scramble to rescue their youth. Television has been the leading and most damaging invention until the Internet invaded millions of homes. Children are not only exposed to the filth of Hell-they have the ungodly temptation of meeting strange and often dangerous individuals, targeting the lonely, and curious. For business purposes, it has benefited in many ways. But for the home, it has robbed the family of many hours of family time. Unsupervised, it has destroyed marriages. I've even known of a man who invited his chat-room sweetheart to come visit with his wife-even convincing her that they're "just friends." The dangers of Satan lurk in every direction. But the Internet will never find its way to the Galilean Home.

With a couple dozen teenagers, we constantly seek ways to keep them busy. Besides activities and recreation, working and learning responsibility is a great contributing factor to the success we have had with our young folks. Of course a Christian upbringing and education is the greatest and foremost. When I was gravely ill in the hospital, they never failed to come see me, join hands and pray for me. Of all the days we seem to fail in some of the children-eventually we see the fruits of our labor.

It's amazing to see children of every race and many religious backgrounds love and care for each other. Never is color, language or religious differences an issue or even spoken to one another. The world could learn a valuable lesson. To see a child with no legs giving 5- and 6-year-olds skateboard rides-hanging on his back for dear life--tickled me to no end.

Life is too short to be in conflict with anyone. We have had children from 15 different countries and 20 states. Red, yellow, black and white, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Atheist as well as dozens of different Christian denominations. But the love of Christ molded all of them as one family. If only the world could enjoy the love of Christ.

Speaking of teenagers ... 14- year-old Jenny is scheduled to have spinal surgery to correct severe scoliosis by the time you receive this letter. She arrived from Honduras last spring. Avery sweet girl.

Recovering from surgery is Martin, also from Honduras for fusion of his shoulder after he flattened it in a diving accident, right before Hurricane Mitch. Martin is also a fine Christian teenager whose father is a pastor. Martin is blessed with many talents in playing guitar and singing, and broke a state record with a 40 yard soccer kick at a school convention. His guitar solo brought him second place.

Still waiting for surgery clearance is Hilario, 18, and 13-year-old German (the G is, silent). Both of these well behaved, Honduran teenagers are awaiting leg amputations as both have a deformed foot hanging off their knees. Hilario is also gifted with musical talent. He plays a very impressive, Spanish style, Christian selection with Martin and sings his heart out at our church programs.

It seems like I'm really focusing on our teenagers, but after listening to all the anniversaries of school shootings and the troubled youth of this generation, I feel led to share the difference in our young people, and commend the love and respect they have for others.

One more issue I need to touch is the fact that our young people need to work. We have several businesses created to give our young folks job skills and positive work ethics. They enjoy working and are learning responsibility in a controlled Christian environment. We are very thankful that we were given 40 acres to establish a larger restaurant with a proposed cooking school to provide another educational opportunity in our distressed county. The restaurant will eventually compensate the months that donations don't meet our budget. As it is, Jerry and I travel every Sunday with 35-40 children singing and spreading the gospel. Of course this also brings on new supporters which we solely depend on God's people-since we do not accept state support. Since we have reached our senior years, we can feel our age slowing us down. The restaurant will be able to supply our needs.