A Glance Back

14 years ago the first Touchdown Camp was opened in Redwood City, CA. Patty Cardona with the support of Project Lost Sheep opened it it for two weeks. The contents of program I had worked on for months putting all that would appeal to children with no means. Sports, food and more food, crafts, etc.

We had about 40 children and teen helpers. We thought we could have half the camp do sports and the other half do crafts, but the children wanted both so we did a bit of scrambling to get the children what they wanted.

Patty started the drama story that is so popular today. There were props. At one point someone had to catch a falling tree prop. We all worked very long hours and we decided that the next camp would last one week the hard work before camp is again in process.

Patty and team will need to instruct new teen staff as so many have left California. We have learned to prepare the best we can and do all we can to make this week shine for the kids. Pastor Cardona will again be up as he knows the importance of a good model. Each time we who serve receive so much blessing for being there for the kids. We may grow weary but the seeds planted this year for good will be seen in the teenagers in just a few years.

So "do not grow weary in well doing for in due time you will reap."

Come join us in seed planting! August 6-10

Charlie

First, a story of a real boy whom we shall call Charlie. Charlie is 8 years old. His family is poor. His Dad walked out recently and Charlie is angry. He lashes out at his mother who has lost her job and is home. He is in trouble at school.

This is not an unusual story. There are so many children lost in bad circumstances and having reactions all over. The situation in elementary schools here and elsewhere seems to get worse year by year.

Without intervention and good adult models, especially men for the boys, children will drift and rebel. They won't do well in school and by teen years they become a prime target for gangs who provide a "caring group" plus money for them. From that point on it is a downward spiral.

Drugs are insidious when used as a way of life. They destroy people and families. This week I chatted with a grandfather. He and his wife are raising the grandchildren because both of their daughters have been involved in drugs and still are. This man said IT'S AN EPIDEMIC!

WHAT CAN BE DONE? 
First, we believe we must address the problem early so we work with elementary children providing free camps and tutoring in the context of a local church and volunteers from the community.

We believe that we are to help the poor. That means the fat churches should look to the poorer ones and help. Rich Christians need to be rich in good deeds. Church doors need to be open to community needs.

A child who feels good at something is less likely to be swept away like scum.
Look at Charlie.
Who will care enough to be a big brother to him?
Who will see past the acting out to the scared kid underneath?
Who will mend a bike or pray for and listen to him?
Who will love him unconditionally?

Yes, this is hard. Yes, this may cost you. But, persevere in helping and caring and you and others will see change, we see this at camp as rebels change into leaders. See previous blogs..

The government can't fix Charlie.
You will.
We will.
We must be involved or we will see more drugs, more shootings in schools and more destroyed lives.

Get off the couch and do something where you are! You won't be doing this alone because God will be with you. Yes, He will. The longest step out is the small step of faith.

Why Are Kids Being Shot?

We are all too aware of what just happened in Florida and I have been asked for my input. I don't pretend to have answers only observations.

A child without any real home, life or anyone who cares, is much more likely to have so much anger over such a long time that it becomes a volcano of violence as we just saw in Florida.

There are some who may have "normal" childhoods and still can become deranged as we saw in Palo Alto a few years ago with teenagers throwing themselves in front of trains.

We live in a violent fed nation. That is there is a steady diet of violence in movies, tv snows and video games. In fact, these make money but are they really good for youth to watch?

We live in a "what I do is SO IMPORTANT" era. It is the age of selfish self-absorption. A child or children can easily be ignored or told to be quiet. People text each other, eat at separate times, and only dream of a real family time. I do see this as bad and unhealthy for families.

As one businessman observed to me recently: "The kids have no infastructure."
He mentioned that in his state of Kentucky there are lots of teens "On methamphidamenes". We have no less than an American plague from drugs on our hands, without caring and attentive adults in the picture, youth can and do race and beat to their own drums which can lead to tragedy.

A nineteen year old now is in jail for life. His act has killed 17 and stirred up high schoolers across the country to walk out of class and protest, we must act and become helpers to the most act risk younger children NOW!

Without intervention, these lives could be heading into violence acted out in real time a few years from now. The children are crying out for help and attention.

Jesus did not ignore the children. 

"Let the children come unto me," he said.

Why are we forgetting his example?

Be Quiet and Listen

What a picture of God who creates all things so generously. White icicles to decorate real trees outside and a colorful orchid to enjoy during winter.

The first Christmas was cold and dark for shepherds. Then, the night sky was filled with light "and THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON THEM."

The shepherds were interrupted in their job of guarding sheep with the most generous message anyone could get.

FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN, IN THE CITY OF DAVID, A SAVIOUR WHICH IS CHRIST, THE LORD.

Not only was this message for them but the good tidings was FOR ALL THE PEOPLE.

The real gift of God's love in a small baby. God with us like the shepherds we must be quiet enough to listen and humble enough to go find the babe lying in a manger.

Read Luke 9. Holy Bible

Wet Cement

You have probably heard the adage: "Children are like wet cement." This is a picture of wet cement. The worker has to take his tool and move The cement while he can into position. The worker has to be in constant action during this wet stage like the first 10 years of a child's life.

The impressions made for good or for bad will mark that child for life. Character is being formed. Right and wrong can be taught. Truth can be imbedded in the heart that like money in the bank can be withdrawn later.

We know the labor we have put into over the last 13 years in children's lives in Redwood City, Tracy, San Jose and beyond.

As one former camper said, "what I learned in touchdown camp held me during the confusing teen years."

Never forget that being we reap what we sow whether in one child's life of many.

Look for wet cement and see how you can mold the children near you.

Hi Joyce,

For me the big take away this year -- well, for my 2 days at camp -- is encapsulated in the attached picture. The person you see w/ Orlando is Edgar, whose nickname is Bonbon.

Two years ago, when I volunteered last at camp, Bonbon was the #1 trouble maker in the "old kids" group. I remember bc a # of times I had to discipline him -- or try to discipline him. There are some children who clearly enjoy camp and others who just seem to be there bc they have nothing better to do. With this latter group I often wondered if anything sinks in.

Jim, left. Bonbon, middle. Fabi, right.

I received my answer to this question on Tuesday as Bonbon signed in to volunteer. My jaw hit the floor when I saw him; i asked Fabi "Isn't that Bonbon? He was the #1 trouble-maker two years ago. I never thought I'd see him again. HE is volunteering?"

Fabi explained how he promised to behave. It wasn't that I didn't think he'd behave but I was flabbergasted by the fact that Bonbon, someone who just seemed to attend camp bc he had nothing better to do, now is a volunteer. His parents don't belong to Verbo the interest in volunteering is 100% due to the impact that TD camp had on him.

Just as Jesus did "... not come to call the righteous, but sinners” I don't judge a camp by how the "good" kids are impacted but I focus on how camp impacts those "less than good." There may never be a better testament, in my eyes, to how camp impacts children than Bonbon volunteering.

Regards,

Jim

Camp Help Kids Grow

Last week I got a phone call from a teenager I didn't know who wanted to volunteer at our upcoming Touchdown Camp the week of August 7.

"Camp helped me when I was a kid and my brother as well, camp strengthened my faith. I want to volunteer all week at camp and my brother, too." 

Now this was music to my ears!

Patty Cardova, President of Project Lost Sheep and Pastor's wife of Verbo Church
with 2 boys at camp

Seeds planted long ago in these boys became a heart to give back into camp.

When I think of the hundreds and hundreds of teenagers and young adults who have touchdown potential to give back, I am in a state of awe at what God is doing.

Changed lives of children become teenagers who want to give back become young adults with dreams of careers. Their families will be different because of what was given when they were children.

Strong plants are resistant to disease.

Strong young adults have inner strength to give because they have received love at the base and have a firm foundation in truth. Rejoicing that this is just the start of what God wants to happen in cities across America.

Join Amazon Smiles Program to Give Back

The phrase giving back is frequently mentioned. People say they want to Give Back. Sometimes this is for a school that helped them: sometime it is for a city.

In Menlo Park. CA. A local developer gave back a huge new gymnasium and more so the residents could enjoy.

Companies also have giving back plans. I am all for this! Some VC urge their partners to give to the non profit of their choice.

It is because of generous giving from several besides a thousand small gifts that SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK has helped so many including the children at camp and now food for the poor every week at Verbo Church...just to mention a few things they do.

We all know about Amazon. There is a company that has grown like crazy and they also have a give back plan that can involve you if you shop on Amazon. You simply go through the Amazon Smiles program and select the charity of your choice. 5 percent of your purchase price will go to that charity.

I am happy to let you know that you can shop and help the children we serve simply by selecting Project Lost Sheep when you shop via Amazon Smiles

What a neat way to think of others while you are shopping on line. Feel free to tell everyone about this. As some companies get so much bigger, I believe Giving Back will become the norm.

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS EXPECTED.
This is bedrock to America.

Let us get in the habit of sharing with others. We will soon have smiles on our faces because we are doing something that makes a difference.

Thanks for GIVING BACK!