Treasures hidden in darkness...

Over the past few weeks, I've had conversations with various people about the work we're doing in East St. Louis. What seems to come up in each conversation is how much of a TREASURE the young people are that we work with. Often with volunteering, serving and giving, we do it in order to make a difference. But most of the time, the people we're serving or organizations we're giving to, end up impacting us more than we impact them. This is the experience we have had when serving the young people of East St. Louis. We started this ministry to make a difference in their lives, but really, they've ended up changing our lives FOREVER. They have become a part of our hearts, lives and daily thoughts. They are TREASURES.

The city of East St. Louis has been given a "bad rap." The media and negative experiences (past or present) that many people have had in relation to the city, seem to be the voice for the city. But, we here at the East St. Louis DREAM Center want to change that voice. A negative voice has been speaking for East St. Louis for decades, that's way too long. We and other amazing organizations in East St. Louis know there's a positive voice that needs to be spoken about East St. Louis and the people who live here.

The city is made of people... people who are valuable and have GREAT potential. People who have dreams for their future, people who have heart ache and feel the pain of life just like anyone else would. There is definitely darkness in the city, there is no denying that. But we're asking and challenging people outside of the city, to begin seeing the TREASURES THAT ARE HIDDEN IN THIS DARKNESS. The people are these treasures. God is all about finding treasures that are hidden in darkness.

Isaiah 45:3 (NLT) And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

If you would like to financially support this work of helping us unbury those "treasures hidden in darkness," click below to donate. Any amount helps and you will be investing in precious young lives who have so much potential, they just need caring adults to see it inside of them. 

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We appreciate all of the people who have linked arms with the DREAM Center! You are the biggest advocates for East St. Louis and the city is moving forward because of you. We love you! (RB)