On September 10, 2018 we received a message via Facebook from one of our former students which said
"We are having a hurricane hitting Thursday and it supposed to be really bad. I want to come to the ranch if that is okay Wednesday through Sunday. If that's okay." He lives in North Carolina and he needed to evacuate.
So why drive all that way to Salem?
After leaving The Ranch he told us things were good but then "I fell back in with 'friends' who were not a positive influence." He made some poor choices and broke the law. By his own testimony he shared how during his time here on The Ranch he met staff who loved him and lived before him modeling Christ. He had
"
tasted and seen that the Lord is good
." He wants to follow Christ. He wanted to come back and be around his mentors. He also wanted to apologize for, despite knowing better, making some poor choices after going home. Sometimes we need to hit rock bottom to be reminded that there IS a better way.
We as a staff were SO blessed to see him, catch up, interact and "love on" him while he was here. His visit was
a solid reminder of why Salem exists!
You may ask
"Do my gifts to the ministry make a difference?"
We say,
ask a young man from North Carolina who drove through the night to spend 5 days back on The Ranch. Please pray for Alex and his family.
Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel!