A LOVE WITHOUT END, AMEN.

And he said, "“Let me tell you a secret about a father's love,
A secret that my daddy said was just between us."
He said, "“Daddies don't just love their children every now and then.
It's a love without end, amen, it's a love without end, amen."  

- sung by George Strait

Even if you're not a country music fan, this song is worth a listen (the last verse, especially, is a kicker). I've been humming this song and thinking about the kids that Dave works with at the Alliance Academy (AAI). Sadly, many of them don’t experience a “love without end” from their fathers. Many students feel their parents’ love for them is based on how well they perform in school or what successes they have in extracurricular activities. One student’s parents said their number one goal for her is that she get a job that makes a lot of money, because someday when they are gone, “Money will be your mother and father.”

        Recently, a number of students have said to Dave that he is like a father to them. 

Notes of appreciation Dave received from 
students after a recent chapel.

While it is a joy and privilege to walk alongside teens in a mentoring role, we know our time in the lives of these young people is limited, as they prepare to head into the world. More than anything, we want them to know the “love without end, amen” that comes from Father God. Human love will fail us, but God’s love never does.

        Our heart is also to see relationships between parents and children restored. A student who just finished Dave’s Prison Epistles class (in which they studied a theology of family) said he no longer feels estranged from his father and that their relationship has improved greatly this semester. He even brought his dad along to play soccer at a family day event at school. 

        Would you please pray with us that the students at the AAI would experience the sense of belovedness that comes from knowing the love of Father God for us? We want to see them transformed (and then go on to transform the world!) by the divine love that goes on without end. 

Dave is blessed with a great relationship

 with his own father, Américo, who lives just blocks 

away from us. 

        From the maternal side, I have a number of great upcoming opportunities to teach and encourage moms and daughters. In March, I will be sharing about God-centered self-worth with Entre Nosotras, our school's group for moms. Later, I get to help out with "Handmade", a three day retreat for high school girls. My hope is to spark dialogue and generate questions about where we get our ideas of feminine identity. Finally, in April, I've been invited to speak to the high school girls on the topic on healthy sexuality. Should be lively! 

        Thank you again, so much, for the honor of journeying along with us. We are so grateful for your prayers and support. Please keep in touch!

Peace to you,

Beth (for Dave and the whole family)