Your prayers, donations and support are making a visible difference in the lives of young people in East Asia. The Youth Self-Defense Project, an Asia Rim regional initiative, is a powerful example of how your generosity impacts communities. For countless young people in the region, life poses great obstacles. Yet through this project, we have seen lives transformed, including for dashers* who participated in the project carrying a heavy burden of shame.
Dasher's home life was a constant battlefield of chaos caused by his parents' alcoholism. Desperate to escape this toxic environment, he began to hang out with the wrong people and engage in destructive behavior. Stealing from others, skipping school, and adopting his parents' harmful coping methods set him on a path to destruction.
But through Send Relief's Youth Self-Defense Project, Dasher's life and the lives of nearly 700 young people have been changed. They learned important self-defense techniques that prioritize de-escalating a situation first. They also received emotional and spiritual support. From January to June of this year, 479 people heard the gospel message and 47 committed to following Christ.
Dasher's story is one of many testimonials to the project's impact. Once a young man gripped by anger, shame, and feeling like he didn't belong, Dasher's life underwent an incredible transformation. With the help of the Send Relief team, Dasher began opening up about his struggles. Through self-defense training and the supportive listening of team members, he began to unravel the complexities of his past and find new hope and purpose through Christ.
Dasher's journey was not a lonely one. His change extended to his family. His parents were also influenced by his positive transformation and made life-changing decisions through conversations about faith and hope. What was once a turbulent home became an environment of peace and love with shared prayer and a renewed sense of family unity.
This project does more than teach self-defense. The purpose of this project is to build resilience, restore hope, and share the love of Christ. Your support plays a vital role in making this possible. By providing a safe place to heal and learn, you are investing in their futures, their families, and their communities.
The numbers are impressive, but behind these statistics are stories of transformation like Dasher's that remind us of the power of your generosity.
Issued on August 27, 2024
