News & Updates

January/February 2023

“I continue to put my faith in Jesus.”

I love living where I have a clear view of the Eastern skyline. As the sun rises each day, it reminds me that I have been renewed and can enter into the new day filled with hope.

2023 has dawned with great hope as well. The previous year concluded with the addition of new staff, new growth, new supporters, new partners and new friends. Because of your involvement, our hope has been renewed and we are stepping into the new year full of anticipation for what the Lord is going to do both IN, and THROUGH us.

Speaking of working THROUGH us, I shared about “A” in a letter a few months back – this is a young man who was transitioning to serve a long-term sentence at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn. Although I cannot visit” A” as frequently as I would like, I wrote him a letter recently and was excited to get one back!

“A” will be at MacLaren long-term and as you can see, he has a simple, yet genuine desire to walk like Jesus. Would you continue to keep him in your prayers?

One of our biggest goals for 2023 is to be able to add to our volunteer roster and also fund a staff hire so that “A” and others like him could regularly receive visits from a spiritual mentor. If these are the kinds of opportunities that you also carry a burden for, we would love to meet you for coffee, connect with you over zoom, or provide you with additional details.

Because of your support and commitment, MvYFC’s mission to “Bring HOPE to the hopeless”, is one that we get to live out for “A” and others. But don’t just take our word for it – we are still offering tours in the Albany and Salem detention centers and would love to schedule one just for you. Going inside one of these facilities is a powerful way for you to get a clearer picture of both the ministry needs and opportunities. Reach out to us today!

THANKFUL

“Thank you for coming today…
I can’t remember the last time I smiled or laughed.” (15-year-old male)

During one of my recent trips to detention, I was disappointed to learn that only three youth requested to attend my group when I knew there were a total of 12 in the facility. The staff escorting us to the classroom was also surprised and asked a colleague, “Did you tell them it was Jen, and that she has licorice?!” Armed with this new information, the second staff member went back to the youth and soon, more than half of the 12 were settling into their seats, ready for the treat that earned me the nickname “The Licorice Lady” over a decade ago.

You might remember that when I do group at detention, I’m frequently meeting with a revolving door of youth because this is a temporary holding facility. So, while I can’t easily do Bible studies or engage in on-going mentoring relationships like I can with youth in long-term facilities, the good news is that in this more introductory context, I can use good materials on frequent repeat. And one of my favorite selections is to grab anything that Christian comedian Tim Hawkins produces because of how humor (in combination with licorice!) breaks down walls. On this night, the video’s main point set up a great conversation with questions from the youth such as, “Will God still love me despite some things I’ve done?” What I love about this (frequently asked) question is just how surprised the youth become when I say that God loves them no matter who they are, or what they have done (Romans 8: 38-39).

That night after the video, I was able to meet one-on-one with a 15-year-old young man who thanked me for coming because he hadn’t felt joy for longer than he could remember. Being able to bring a smile to the heart of a young person who has forgotten what it is like to feel happiness is both a burden and an amazing privilege. Thank you for participating with me in delivering the Good News to incarcerated youth in our community.

I’m grateful for your commitment to this ministry, and I wish you and your family a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.

Bringing HOPE to the hopeless.