“I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus…” 1 Cor 1:4. Like Paul, we thank God for you, those who have partnered in prayer with us, for the grace given you in Christ which you have chosen to share with the children in Alaska through your prayers and support. Today we are driving to Talkeetna, which is a small town outside of Denali National Park. As we are driving, I have been reflecting on this past week of ministry in the Anchorage parks and have been filled up by God’s work there.

Not only were we touched by the sweet kids that we were interacting with, those who were engaged and eager to take in all that we shared about Jesus and the gospel, but also by those with a hard exterior and kids that face challenges sometimes really hard to stomach. There was a family of three kids that were in the park every day without having bathed or even changed clothes the whole week we were there. They were dirty and hungry, with no parents in sight. Most days they were not wearing shoes and yet their heavenly Father saw them and cares for them. Another mother and daughter, both with mental challenges, had recently had lice. The daughter constantly wanted to hug us. I saw the girls on the team put up their hair each day and love on her despite our concern of the lice.

**Sydney & Joules**

One boy’s life most impacted me this week that I will have imprinted on me for many years to come. His name is Joules (pronounced Jewels). He was 13 years old but looks to be about 18 because these kids have seen so much life in their short number of years. We met Joules about 4 or 5 years ago at another park. He had just lost his brother to suicide and was very closed off until Sydney drew him out and he was by her side the whole week that year.

He showed up to our park this week on Tuesday and we did not recognize him at first. He had grown A LOT. He was clearly struggling this year with some gender identity issues, wearing women’s clothes. He also looked dazed like he was on some type of substance. But we finally recognized each other, and Sydney re-engaged him. He showed up every day from then on. She talked to him the next day for almost two hours. As they talked, she was able to share her testimony of why she has chosen Jesus. He said his mom was a Christian, but he did not know what he believed. Slowly as he opened up to Sydney, he started to shed the women’s clothes. By the end of that second day, he was laughing and playing baseball with her and other kids. But as he left the park, he put it all back on like it was a shield from the harsh world that he faced.

The next day was much the same. He started with an outfit that did not reflect his true identity but as Sydney continued to share her life and the gospel, he would shed those clothes, engage in conversation, and in the activities. He and some friends listened to the Bible lesson on a nearby hill as our team clearly shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. He hugged us, signed our shirts, and waved us goodbye as we left the park yesterday. But turned away putting on a big black coat and sunglasses as we left, armoring up to face the tough world that he lives in.

My heart goes out to kids like Joules because he was facing some big challenges in life and without the hope of the gospel was headed toward a pretty hopeless path. Please pray for this young man. We have a way of communicating with him and we are praying for opportunities to continue to share the hope of the grace of Christ with him. Praise God it is not hopeless. Jesus came to earth for people like Joules, for the siblings with no shoes, for the girl with lice. He came to save me. Wow, what grace and I am grateful.

- Becky Posey

Hope for the Hopeless

Good and Gracious King

Sufficient Grace