You may have seen the Academy Award winning movie "Blind Side". If not, surely you've heard the story. Michael Oher grew up in the projects of Memphis and overcame the odds to become an NFL starting lineman for the Baltimore Ravens. When my wife and I saw it, we both were using our sleeves as Kleenex. It's one of those rare, true stories that touch our hearts.

Well, last month I had the chance to visit and serve in the area where he grew up. 64 Texas College Life students spent their spring break serving the poor in the hood rather than surfing on the beach as part of our CityConnexx program. We were overwhelmed by the needs, the poverty and yet the seeds of hope growing in this at-risk community in Memphis. Memphis according to USA Today has the highest percentage of people who go hungry every day in America. Most of them are children.

Rev. Joann Ballard, the founder of our partner in Memphis, told us how Michael, his mom and her 13 children grew up in the neighborhood and often used the compassionate ministry services offered by this amazing faith-based ministry. Rev. Ballard even helped his mom deliver one of her babies in her tiny HUD apartment. Michael's mom still comes by from time to time to receive help and assistance. She told us that although all 13 children have been adopted, they all have graduated from high school and many from college. They are doing well and living proof that loving care and dedication can overcome the perils of poverty.

Your gift this month helps us help our partners by sending CityConnexx groups like these college students and funding to grow their programs. This one group alone provided $7,680 direct assistance along with $91,854 worth of volunteer labor. The local TV channels and newspaper heard about this spring break mission trip and featured it on the news.

2 minute news report available = http://www.youtube.com/user/CityConnexx#p/a/u/0/xB45od6zrfg
 
So in this season of Easter, it is refreshing to be part of "urban missions" that is watching rebirth and resurrection in communities and churches left neglected for far too long. Thanks for supporting us and being part of our compassionate team.

Because He Lives and loves the least of these,

Dean Cowles
YouthPartnersNET & CityConnexx
Founder

LIVE COMPASSION!

Your Donations at Work:

Christ Community Baptist Ministries serves the University Avenue area of Flint, MI. This high-risk community is filled with violence, drug and alcohol use and distribution, high domestic abuse and a high rate of mobility change. Its neighborhoods are filled with condemned or empty buildings that have become crack houses and havens for drug dealers.

The Summer Safety Net Program is designed to target young people between the age of 5 and 13 who live in this area. Many of the young people are disadvantaged, living in homes that are victims of persistent violence and pervasive poverty. This program provides a caring, loving and safe place for the youth to gather during the summer evenings, a nutritious dinner, and skills that will help them live a positive and productive Christ-centered life.  Their goal is to have 70 young people enrolled throughout the summer.

Prayer Request:

Pray for Uniqua, a 17 year old girl in our church who was hit by a car several months ago and experiences serious pain on a recurring basis.

Pray for Destiney, who is 17, and has been in their programs for several years along with her five sisters.  Her family life is difficult, her mother doesn’t want her around but is unwilling to let her go officially.  Pray that God softens her heart and that she will receive the Lord and be willing to move forward with school and job training so she can become independent of this difficult situation.

Pray for Dennis Jr, 15, who participates in our programs and is a great kid with great potential.  He has an awkward family situation and needs help in school.  Pray that God uses him to excel in school and more importantly in his love of the Lord.  Pray that he is able to escape the cycle of joblessness and low income his family has been in for generations.