AN OPEN LETTER TO THOSE THAT BROKE INTO OUR CHURCH AFTER SANDSTOCK
You didn’t get anything.
Actually, I’m a little sorry that you didn’t get anything – but I’m not talking about the money that was not yours to take. What you didn’t get was that the amazing youth of this community, from different churches, traditions and faiths, along with their dedicated role models and mentors from every church spent thousands of hours trying to make sure you did get something.
We brought in 12 bands to share God’s love for you through music. Different kinds of music, hoping that everyone would have “ears to hear” something for them. Bands that played for next to nothing, in the heat of the day, some with little to no sleep coming from Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and all over Texas.
We invited speakers with stories of tragedy and triumph, with grace and forgiveness, all underscored by their faith that with God, all things are possible. Speakers that shared messages of hope that no matter how you test the bounds of God’s grace, you’re never too far away to come back to Him.
We asked artists and crafters to share their gifts and talents, and they added to the fabric of our day.
It was important that there be representation of real lives and not just pretty art and amazing music, and so Teen Challenge was there to offer hope and support to anyone battling addictions to drugs or alcohol. The Coastal Bend Aids Foundation was there with information and assistance. We ran a blood drive throughout the day to bank more blood for our community, and we had a prayer tent available for more than 14 hours so anyone could come and speak privately with a trusted person, without judgment.
You didn’t get anything.
I would like to offer you an opportunity to get something. I invite you, with all sincerity, to come to our Youth Church at 12:30pm on any Sunday. You will see kids from all backgrounds, all stages of faith getting something. They get it. They worked so hard to try and help you get it, too. I know that they would forgive your attempt to steal what they worked so hard for if you asked. They would offer you compassion and understanding and a chance to get back up, dust yourself off, and make things right.
I hope, and I sincerely pray, that you’ll get something.
Chelle Yarbrough
Sandstock
