April Showers Bring May Flowers

April showers bring May flowers.  
We didn't have much rain in April, and I pray it does not slow the arrival of May flowers.  I believe we all could use more of God’s beauty in the world, and flowers are a beautiful gift. 
I tend to take a lot of things for granted, meeting with friends at bible studies or to go fishing, running to the store any time and being able to get what I want, getting up on Sundays and going to church, etc.  This past Easter I called into a detention facility and talked to six youth, five boys and one girl. 
After 20 plus years of being in this ministry I still assume that youth have heard what Easter is about.  The hard reality was that four of the six did not associate the resurrection of our Lord with Easter.
I must stop and think about how a 15-year-old boy or girl could not have at least heard what Easter was about even if they did not go to church.  I assume someone somewhere would have at least mentioned it to them at some point or they would be curious about it when they see all the Easter stuff in the stores.  Maybe they were just to young when they were told about it and forgot.
It just goes to show you that as Christians we have an important responsibility.  We can never assume that someone knows about what God has done for them, giving his one and only son to die for our sins and three days later raising him from the dead to seat him at his right hand.  We need to spread the good news through  the sharing of our testimony of what the Lord has done for us.
“...always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15)
Our 35 volunteers are doing well and are ready to serve the Lord building loving relationships.  Many are still in contact with youth via phone and letters.  Thank you for being a part of this much needed ministry.  We pray that you stay safe in the arms of the Lord. 
Blessings, 

Andrew LaValley 
Executive Director Southern Colorado Youth for Christ 
719-471-0333 office 
719-510-9923 cell
2120 Academy Circle, Bldg. G Colorado Springs CO 80909
​www.socoyfc.org