Local Outreach–Summer 2020

Dear Family, Friends, and Faithful Supporters, 

As this season has turned our attention toward our local community, God has given us the opportunity to step into new areas of missions right here in Fort Myers. One of our new local-mission outreaches has been going into government housing and giving skateboards to kids who cannot afford them. This has given us a chance to engage with the community of all ages; from newborns to grown men, skateboarding has brought us into a community with people we would never encounter in our everyday lives. 

The Lord has blessed us with influence in one housing project in particular. As it is called locally, “The Shack” is just minutes away from The House of Ride Nature; drug deals, gang violence, and abuse happens daily. The darkness surrounding the community is great, but the light of Jesus trumps any darkness that might stand in our way. 

When we pull into the parking lot, kids run out to greet us with smiles and hugs. We skate, race, give piggyback rides, and show them a love they would not usually encounter in their homes. As we engage with the kids, fathers and mothers come out one by one wondering what is happening, allowing us the opportunity to build relationships with the parents as well. We have even been invited into multiple homes, one being a leader in the community who goes by the name “Landlord.” He warned our team of the threat against us if we kept coming to The Shack, but despite the news, we are positive the Lord has called us to this community for a purpose, including getting to witness to Landlord. 

Regardless of the dissension at The Shack, the fruit is evident in this community. Just last month we had the opportunity to witness a 26 year-old man yell, “I’m free!” as he came out of the water after being baptized. Tray, a community member in The Shack, is now itching to go play with the kids, spread love, and shed light on the darkness that he was once in. From crying tears of joy to partaking in pain from the past, the Lord has blessed us with the opportunity to walk with him in a spiritual journey as he learns more about his new identity in Christ. 

Throughout our time at The Shack, we’ve seen the battle of the flesh and spirit take place over and over. It is very evident that the Lord is working in Landlord, Tray,  and all of the kid’s lives, but at the same time, the devil is working to stop God’s plan. So, on behalf of the people at The Shack and our labor, we would love for you to join us in praying for the community of The Shack: fathers need to be raised up, families need to be reunited, violence needs to be settled, and God needs to be invited into every situation. Thank you for your support as it is more than appreciated. Remember: the Ends starts right in our backyards.

To the ENDS,

Luke Champion, Ride Nature Intern