Leadville update - Pictures available

As you have read in previous blog posts, the River has "adopted" Westpark Elementary School in Leadville, CO. We have sent sweatshirts, coats, books, and puzzles. We recently were able to deliver bikes (1 new, 2 previously-loved) to be used as prizes for their Reading Program.

These kids were called into the Principal's office one day (ooooooh!) and were each handed a brand new ski jacket or hoody sweatshirt the River had shipped to the school. The kids were so excited they asked if they could call their parents immediately and share the good news.



Thanks to the generous donation by Criterium Bike Store (on Corporate Center Drive in Colorado Springs - the *BEST* bike store ever!), this young man received a brand new bike and helmet as the Grand Prize in the Reading Program held by the school. According to Criterium's owner the bike was sent by mistake over a year ago and she didn't feel right selling it. We know God makes no mistakes and it was no accident! He had planned this for more than a year!

Thanks to the generous donation of families of the River, this young lady received a previously-loved-but-not-worn-out pink bike and helmet. This was also a prize in the Reading Program held by the school.

Want to know more? Join our fan page on Facebook, or better yet, join us! If you are in the Colorado Springs/Monument/Castle Rock area or ever visit this area, we would love to have you join us! Check out our webpage at http://www.wearetheriver.org/ for more information.

Encouraging our brave soldiers

Please read the plea below and help by sending an encouraging card. There will blank cards available for the next few Sundays at the River services (5pm Sundays at the Church at Woodmoor - Furrow and Hwy 105).

There is a wounded soldier at the Fisher House in Fort Sam Houston by the name of Sgt. Daniel Thornhill. He lost both his legs and was burned on 56 percent of his body while serving his country in Iraq.

Thornhill has been at the Fisher House for a year and his parents are reaching out for support. They are asking that as many as possible service members, veterans and others send him a card to show him how much we love him for what he has sacrificed for his country. His parents are worried about his emotional status and he rarely has visitors.

Let's help this soldier and send him lots of cards:

Sgt. Daniel Thornhill

Fort Sam Houston Fisher House

3623 George C. Beach Road

Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234

Seeking church partnership in Leadville

We are currently working on finding a new church contact in Leadville. The pastor previously recommended to me is leaving for warmer weather. The idea behind trying to partner with a local church is that a church in Leadville is in a better position to minister to and serve the people there long-term.  

Three people have suggested the Lutheran church in Leadville on separate occasions and I now have a phone number and pastor's name. I also had a long conversation with a pastor at a Lutheran church here in Monument that has experience working with the churches in Leadville. He explained that the mentality of folks in a mountain town is different that what we see here on the front range and may present some challenges. He also warned that the locals' apathy toward the Mexican resort workers will be a huge discouragement. Many there think poor people got themselves in that situation and should be able to work their way out of it. I think that misconception is common and not in anyway limited to mountain communities.

Compassion International explains that poverty is a lack of hope due to a lack of choices and opportunity. Poor people are not lazy - as hard as they work, they cannot get out of the cycle they are in. These people make so little money they cannot save up for unexpected expenses and have difficulty buying the bare necessities. Each paycheck they must decide to eat, pay one bill, or save up to have the car fixed. Without the car they cannot work, and if they cannot work, they cannot make money, but they need to eat, so the car doesn't get fixed, so they cannot work, and so the cycle goes.

We must keep in mind that it is not up to any of us to change their minds and convince them to help those around their community. We can show them the hundreds of bible verses regarding the poor and can explain why they need to help until we are blue in the face. Ultimately, we are asked to obey God by being His hands and feet. Only He can change their hearts, and ours can be softened in the process of asking theirs to be softened.