Help launch an afterschool ministry
called San Antonio Outreach. San Antonio is a village outside of
Corozal, Belize. San Antonio has about 350 residents. A
lack of education further than 5th grade leaves people all over the country without
adequate training for well paying jobs. Corruption and hopelessness plagues the
village with products of disease, drug addiction, alcoholism, domestic
violence, and other abuse endured since childhood. With nowhere to go during
the day, young boys are targeted as early as 10 years old to join gang organizations. This heartbreaking cycle continues through the generations. Sin plagues us all, and resources to grow through trials can be limited. As Belize
has left San Antonio to repair itself, God has never abandoned it.
Over the past four years, God has begun to rewrite the story of San Antonio, restoring the ‘places long devastated’ (Isaiah 61:4). God has saved my broken soul from darkness through the blood of his son and is making me new (Eph 4:24). Through the vessel of our team, God will redeem the lives of his children in San Antonio.
Over the past four years, God has begun to rewrite the story of San Antonio, restoring the ‘places long devastated’ (Isaiah 61:4). God has saved my broken soul from darkness through the blood of his son and is making me new (Eph 4:24). Through the vessel of our team, God will redeem the lives of his children in San Antonio.
What our program looks like: My team includes my college friend Charles Cranford, San Antonian native Israel
Gilharry, and a new friend and roommate Sarah Weiss. Our aim is to provide
students grades 1st through 5th a safe place to come after
school for nutritious snacks, worship, homework help, activities, and a
community radiating Jesus’ love. Our structure of discipline and flow is mimicking Thrive Lonsdale http://thrivelonsdale.com (previously known as SOAR Youth Ministries), a program in Knoxville that Charles, Sarah, and I served during our college years. My school day service includes reading tutoring for
freshmen, physical therapy, and community development engaging with families that
could use help watching the little ones, doing laundry, or helping prepare
meals. Our intent is to introduce young boys and
girls to the Healer of their hurt, to experience (possibly for the first time)
our heavenly Father’s unconditional love, and to revive hope for a future they desire; the hope we know can only be found in accepting Jesus as our Savior and
trusting God as the provider of our needs (John 14:6).
Any other specifics, just ask!
aladd5@vols.utk.edu
Any other specifics, just ask!
aladd5@vols.utk.edu
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