Annual Christmas Party at the Provincial Juvenile Jail

Dennis Mark Aglosolos w/ LWA volunteers in the annual Christmas party

Last December 12, 2011, LWA held their yearly Christmas party for the young inmates of Tanglaw Pag-asa (Light of Hope - a juvenile jail).  There are currently about 97 male teenagers detained in this correctional facility.  Dennis Mark Y. Aglosolos conducts a Bible study session here every Monday for the last 5 years.  Due to the slow justice system in the Philippines, there are even several detainees who are waiting for their cases to be tried in court that have been in this facility since LWA started coming here 5 years ago, The weekly study of God's Word has really been a breath of fresh air for these youngsters in their loneliness away from their families.

In the said event, LWA prepared games and food for everyone in the facility.  The detainees, on their part, prepared special numbers.  One number was a rap performance with lyrics that talk about their admission of their offense of God's Laws and their desire to get right with God once and for all.  Dennis delivered the Christmas message towards the end of the event.  We were filled with joy as we saw smiles from our friends at this facility for the great time they had during the Christmas party.

Before the LWA team left, one of the detainees gave Dennis the letter below written by one of their leaders in behalf of everyone in this juvenile facility.  This moves us to continue helping these young people know Christ more in their lives.  Read the English translation of the letter below:

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Dear Pastor Dennis,

    A blessed day to you!

    We made this letter to say "thanks" for your tireless efforts in sharing to us the Good News from God's Word.  We really appreciate your perseverance in coming here weekly, but most of all, for your determination to draw us closer to the Father.

    We thank the Lord for His continued use of people like you so that He can make us know that He also loves people like us.

    Through our Bible study, we really saw how our reactions to problems with money, family and in ourselves have led us to sin against God,  But despite that, God was so patient in waiting for us to get right with Him.  God is really so kind.  He really is great and powerful.

    As I know God more in my life, I've experienced a different kind of joy, a new kind of living with Him.  At first, as I was drawing closer to Him, I thought that all my problems will go away.  I later learned that that will not be the case as He gave me more trials in life. I previously judged those trials as God's way of making life more difficult for me.  But as time passed, I realized that was not really His purpose. Those trials were actually given to make us trust Him more.  I've learned that there is victory in trusting Him.  In the process, I've proven the truthfulness of His promises in verses like 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 13:5 and Jeremiah 29:11.

    It is my prayer that our weekly time together will continue so that hope will continue to flow to some of our co-detainees that are already losing hope.  I know that God will continue to be faithful to us.

    We would like to also apologize for some of our co-detainees who do not give attention to our Bible study.  We just leave their behaviors in the hands of God.

    We know that saying "Thanks" to you will not be enough to pay for your efforts in teaching us God's Word.  May the Lord be the One to reward you for all of your efforts.

    Again, thank you so much!  May you have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

                                                                                                        Sincerely

                                                                                                        Cris and the boys of Tanglaw Pag-asa

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