A New Year and a new chance to thank you so much for your gift to YouthPartnersNET. On behalf of our National Network of urban and Native American frontline ministries, I just need to praise God for your faithful support especially during this past year when so many are struggling.

2009 was a tough year for many of our partners. Many ministries had to lay off staff, cut programs while at the same time seeing a significantly increased demand for their services. It's a classic "Catch 22". More needs, less resources.

But you know, that's the way it's been for over 2,000. There are always more needs than there are resources or programs or shelters to go around. Peter explains to the beggar in Acts 3:6 "Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." And immediately the man rose up "leaping and walking and praising God." As a child I learned that song, "Little is much when God is in it."

In Matthew 26:11 Jesus rebuked his disciples when a women was anointing his feet with expensive oil, "The poor you will always have with you but you will not always have me." He wasn't saying don't take care of the poor. His life's goal was to "preach the gospel to the poor and release the captives." His point (and mine) is that this women's extreme sacrifice (and yours) is in affect anointing the feet of Jesus for the present and as a sign for the future. We are his hands and feet extended.

When resources are stretched to the breaking point, maybe that's the right time to just pour out all we have at the feet of Jesus because when we do, folks will start leaping and praising God for how they see us live out the Gospel with acts of selfless sacrifice and obedience.

Thanks again for giving a bit of your gold and silver. May 2010 be a blessing to you and yours.

For Him and them,

Dean Cowles
YouthPartnersNET Founder

HAITI

This tragedy has really torn at my heart and makes so many other problems pale in comparison. 

As you know, YPN birthed out of Compassion International (CI) and a big part of our family is hurting right now. CI President Wess Stafford started in Haiti and was married there. They have personally sponsored dozens of Haitian children across the years and their two daughters have continued.

Compassion donors sponsor over 65,000 children in Haiti. We don't know yet how many died or will from their injuries but it could be in the hundreds. One Colorado Springs employee was pulled from the rubble alive, another is missing. Many local staff are still unaccounted for.

See Compassion President Wess Stafford's video message at http://blog.compassion.com/haiti-earthquake-video-message/.

Most of our YPN donors are also Compassion sponsors so I hope you will join Cheryl and I as you send an extra special gift right now at www.compassion.com.

May the Lord bless you and keep you as you share your heart of compassion.