Dear Friend of Damascus Way,

    We are privileged to witness the spiritual conversions of many men,
since Damascus Way is a live-in program and we are together so many hours of
the day. And every conversion is a triumph in its own way. But sometimes the
circumstances of a radically changed life can excite even our staff who have
"seen it all."

    You will remember the recent story I told about Skyler Krein. He's a new
Christian by any measure. Well, the story I heard is that a young man in the
program, a guy with real attitude problems, was getting on Skyler's nerves.
He was also getting on other peoples' nerves. Skyler, the new convert, tried
to talk to Shawn, the guy with the attitude, about his need of the Lord. He
told Shawn he needed to behave differently so his life would be easier in
this world.

    Things didn't go real well, so Skyler brought Shawn to Ted, a staff guy
on duty that day. "Can Shawn and I sit down and talk to you, Ted?" Skyler
asked. During that conversation, Ted encouraged Shawn to pray. "Express your
need and even your confusion right out loud to the Lord," Ted said.

    Now, Shawn had never prayed out loud. Or never that he remembered. So
this wasn't the most comfortable assignment. But sometime during the talking
and the praying, Shawn placed his faith in Christ. "I am now a Christian,"
he declared in the days following. He began to express a better
understanding of his relationship with Christ, his new Savior.

    Shawn has now finished his time at Damascus Way and is living in a help
program where he will learn to be self-supporting. Without Christ, Shawn's
life was shipwrecked. The staff and I are praying that with his newfound
faith Shawn will experience some of what the Lord has for all who believe in
His name. Please pray for Shawn. He has a long road ahead, learning to trust
Christ in all areas as his Lord and Savior.

    And please pray for us at Damascus Way. We are experiencing the same
devastating, financial pressures faced by most other ministries. We've had
to dip into our reserves. Yes, that's why we have them. But there is a limit
to how often we can do that, and how long we can operate that way. We have
cut all unneccessary expenses and continue to be good stewards of God's
provision, but we still need you, our friends, to help us in this crunch.
BOLD, ITALIC TYPE: If you are able, will you please give generously during
these next three weeks? REGULAR TYPE AGAIN: Your gift will give Damascus Way
the boost we need to get on top of ministry expenses, and weather this
financially difficult period.

    Thank you in advance for standing with us now and through all the good
times and bad over the years.

Your faithful servant, for the men of Damascus Way,

Dick Harden, Director
DAMASCUS WAY REENTRY CENTER