Jesse

Jesse Riojas is a very energetic, funny, well behaved, well adjusted, excellent cook in our cafeteria. He has attended culinary school at Treasure Island Culinary School in San Francisco, California.

Last week-end he received a Saturday pass just to be in a 5 K walk for disabled children at the Rise n Shine facility in Corpus Christi, for people with Down Syndrome, where his niece is.

Out of 150 people only 6 finished the walk and Jesse was one of the six earning $15,000. for the facility. You can see him in the center of the picture on the right.

Although Jesse still loves to cook the Lord has new plans for his life. He is part of the choir and the Lord is opening doors for Jesse. He plans to be a youth pastor and work for the Lord Jesus now.

Spud

It seems that Harold has been working along side a real celebrity. Spud and his wife Myrtle are a MAPS couple here from Missouri.

Spud was part of a team from MAPS that traveled to New Guinea to build a new construction bridge over a dangerous ravine with a river at the bottom. Picture on left is Nathan Deck (Spud), Avon & Debra Fowler, Tom Trumbo, and Gerald Jackson standing on the newly built bridge. This was the first time MAPS had been in New Guinea.

After a seven year old boy was killed trying to rebuild the old bridge (see photo on right) and a seventeen year girl drown, the AG missionaries teamed with Wycliff to earn the money for a new bridge.

Spud says "Hi" and to tell you that you're missing all the fun.

Erica Bonette

I am writing about another student here at Teen Challenge. She is a very tall, beautiful energetic girl. Her name is Erica and after observing her and then getting to know her a little, I needed to tell her story that was published in the TC newsletter.
For most of my life I was not afraid of anything. I struggled with eating disorders and by the age of 14 I was using drugs and alcohol heavily. I always said I was not afraid of dying.
About a year ago I was hospitalized for a drug overdose and diagnosed with an enlarged liver and kidney malfunction. I had given up. I wasn’t afraid to die because I was dead inside already. I was crippled by a fear to live, a fear to face the reality around me. I had lost hope but my family had not given up on me and had faith in me and so did God.
In this short time I have been here at Teen Challenge, God has been working on me at a rapid rate. I have come to understand that God allowed me to fall so far just so he could rise me high. I can say I am still not afraid to die because God has given me the promise that when I leave this earth I have eternal life with Him.
I live with a new fear. It is not earthly but it’s the Lord. Proverbs 19:23 says “The fear of the Lord leads to life; Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” Only now my fear doesn’t cripple me -- it drives me to do His will. I’m afraid of letting Him down and not fulfilling the purpose He has for me. Now God overwhelms me with joy and praise.
Teen Challenge has provided a place where I can come, sit, be still and hear His voice. Now I am living and not afraid of it. My purpose is to love God and serve Him for the rest of my life.

Now I am working for Jesus

This is one of the young men whose lives have been radically changed. David Hancock's Testimony
I was raised in a good Christian home and gave my heart to Jesus at a early age. My father was in the military which took him away a lot. When he got out he became a alcoholic and a workaholic, then the divorce came.
My sister and I both struggled and suffered from all the fighting and abuse. We were unable to fit in at school. I turned to .....drugs. They accepted me, just as I was. Drugs eased my pain.
Then I was in a car accident, hospitalized and put on medication for my back, morphine. I suffered from depression that turned to anxiety. The doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me and gave me a second medication. For six years I was strung out so my mom kicked me out because she could not stand it anymore. I moved in with my dad and soon became suicidal ending up in a mental hospital. My dad soon kicked me out because of things I was doing and I became homeless in Dallas, Texas.
One night I cried out to God, cursing Him for what I had been through. He reached down His hand of grace and snatched me up. He showed me that I would die if I did not change. I called my grand-parents. They took me in and got me into a rehabilitation center which helped me get clean. I went back to church and rededicated my life but all too soon I gave up. I chose to go back to abuse again with drinking. I stole my sister's car and was arrested for DUI. When I was released I started back on drugs again and was so miserable and mad at myself. I didn't know how to help myself.
That was when someone told me about a program called Teen Challenge,which was 10 months ago and I have learned so much about Jesus. I have been redeemed, filled with his Holy Spirit, and set apart for His purpose. My mind is renewed by His Word. I now know that God choses to prosper me, he has a plan for me and I have a future and a hope in Him. He took all the bad and turned it around, renewed my health and set me free and put my feet upon the Rock. Glory, honor and Praise to God thru Jesus.