April 10, 2008

Dear Friends of The Way,
 

As spring blooms around us, God's artwork is displayed and nature explodes in praise to Him. I pray that this letter finds your family blessed with the goodness of God. Writing this letter, we find ourselves about to reach our eighth year at The Way. The pictures of teens, families, and children that we counselors have had the blessing of walking beside often come to our minds and each of the counselors (Julia, Rachel, Luke and I) are thankful for the opportunity that we have been given to share life with each client, each board member, each sponsor, each prayer partner, each friend of The Way...

At The Way we continue to lead children, teens, adults and entire families to a closer walk with Christ and His healing power. We are still doing what we set out to do- guide people to The Way (Jesus Christ). We have expanded to include ministries such as Always Moving On (www.alwaysmovingon.com) that seeks to help families of victims and victims of attack. As we expand, we are seeking to reach our culture by providing discipleship for young women who need to change their view of themselves. It is my dream and passion that our friends/clients will see themselves as Jesus sees them --completely loved and that will be life changing for each of them. Please see our website (sited below) for weekly discipleship lessons for young women.

As I write the discipleship topics for young women I am struck with a theme that reoccurs in almost every topic. Women need to know that God their Heavenly Father loves them unconditionally; and His love and grace change everything. Safe in this kind of love, one can seek repentance and daily walk secure in the promise that “God's love never fails.” The more I work with young women I am struck by the reality that girls seek God through their daddys. Let me explain- If dad is approachable, God is approachable. If dad is forgiving God is forgiving. If dad is tender then God is tender. If dad speaks the truth in love, then God speaks the truth in love. If dad is proud of me God is proud of me. On the other hand, if dad is too busy for me, then God is to busy for me. If dad is not interested in my life, then God is not interested in my life. If dad is harsh, God is harsh. If dad calls me names, God must call me those same names. If dad does not pursue me, I must not be special.

I am not trying to blame dads for any of life's troubles, and yet I do want you dads to know and understand the amazing gift that you have been given. You get to show your children what God's love is like. You get to give them a glimpse of God here on earth by the way you love, adore, and even discipline/correct them. If you were not parented well this task might be overwhelming, but do not worry God is there to help you and He can change your home through you. I have seen entire families heal miraculously in a matter of months when a dad embraces the love of Jesus and shows his family this love. Here are some sources- Seven Secrets of Effective Father, Bringing Up Boys, Boundaries for Kids/Teens, Wild at Heart, 4:8 Principle. Also please check out our website in the next month to find short lessons on fathering from other fathers.

Thank you for being a part of The Way! Blessings of His relentless tenderness on you and your family,



Rebecca Gunyon, Executive Director


1 John 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are...