Dear Friends of Young Life Virginia Beach,
Over and over, during the past couple of weeks, I keep asking the same question:
“Why did he take his life? He was only 18-years-old with his whole life ahead of him. He was well liked, and good at both sports and academics. He didn’t show any signs of depression. There was no traumatic experience that might trigger this. He didn’t even leave a note.”
This was just the most recent teenage suicide in our community. There are many every year. It breaks my heart. Even one is TOO MANY!
I keep thinking, “…if only we could’ve reached him! If only he could have found hope and purpose for living… through understanding that a loving God made him for purpose. If only hope, faith, and love could have displaced the hopelessness, loneliness, and despair he must’ve felt.”
Now what? What can I do? What can we do? The only answer that keeps coming to me is that we must continue to bring the message of God’s unconditional love through Jesus Christ to the teenagers of Virginia Beach. We can’t give up. We can never give up. There’ll always be more! We need to make our best effort, while relying on God’s Spirit, to reach out to more of them, to befriend them with God’s love.
Still I am thankful… thankful for the progress we’re making. Over 500 teenagers attended Young Life meetings this fall and nearly 300 went on our fall weekends. They all had fun, they spent time with friends and caring adults, and they heard about a radical loving God that wants to be with them and have a personal relationship. It seems appropriate for this season. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'" Matthew 1:23
You are receiving this letter because you have helped us in the past. There are many needs required for Young Life in Virginia Beach to continue its work, to be healthy, and to keep growing. We need adults who pray and encourage, volunteer leaders who go where the teenagers are, committed staff who recruit, train, and send the leaders, and faithful donors who financially give money.
As you consider your year and charitable giving, would you please put Young Life on your list? We still need to raise approximately $65,000 by September 30, 2015. Any contribution you make will be appreciated. There’s a return envelope enclosed for your convenience.
Thank you for being in this with us and for helping us get the message of God’s love and hope to the teenagers in our town. We will never stop. We simply can’t.
God’s blessings to you and your family this Christmas and throughout the New Year!
Mike T for Rob, Clint, Perrin, and our amazing team of volunteers!
P.S. If you have any questions about making a donation, or need information about donating stock, please contact me at 757–635–6830. Thank you!
Mike Terranova
Virginia Beach Area Director
