Jessica Troyer

Memorial Fundraiser

For God’s Glory

Friday- June 5th, 2009

It is rare that I get a chance to look at a newspaper, but as I walked by, the headline caught my eye.

Chicago Sun-Times, Tuesday, June 23^rd, 2009 – a headline reads:

“THE SECOND MOST DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOOD IN AMERICA –

Urban Crime – FBI statistics show residents near 55^th and State

( Chicago , IL .) had 1-in-4 chance of being victims”

I couldn’t believe it!  This area was ranked #2 on a list of our nation’s most dangerous neighborhoods by the FBI.  I grew up near here; my family owns a business near here.  I’ve known the youth in this area need help, spiritual help, but the most dangerous?  The FBI statistics were from 2005 to 2007, but take a look around and there hasn’t been any major changes except the Dan Ryan Expressway being transformed.  My thoughts raced as I was so grateful to God that I do not have to live and raise my children in this area today.  It isn’t easy raising children anywhere in the 21^st century, but how a mother’s heart must ache when she has to send her child to school knowing the many dangers her child may face that day.  I personally cringed when I let my children go on a yellow school bus without my hand wrapped around theirs.  I needed to make my phone call to Olen Johnsen, associate director of Phantom Ranch Bible Camp.  I normally call Olen and let him know ahead of time the amount of money many gracious people donated to the memorial camp scholarship “Something from Jessie” for inner-city youth.  Olen had just been on the phone with a youth pastor from a church located at 55^th & State.  They had 20 teens with great desire to attend camp this summer.   Another youth worker from the area has 4 boys who want to be a part of Rough Riders week.  Can I hear an AMEN?  Olen said he will not have to turn away one of them. Over the years, people ask, “How do you determine how many and who will go to camp?”  My answer is, “I don’t.  We pray for Olen, we believe that God knows the children selected ahead of time, we pray that God will provide the funds for each one of them.”

Thank You for being a part of this ministry and

allowing God to use you in part of His plans!

100% of every dollar donated will be used in a mighty way.

Your donations are a “real” investment in the lives of children.

We are very grateful to each one who helped at this year’s fundraiser.  Our cooks, musicians, set-up, clean-up, door monitors, bathroom cleaners, dessert bakers, spaghetti boilers, salad creators, dishwashers, floor cleaners, garbage detail, our PRBC teen servers, smile givers, and many more contributed to making it an awesome night.

We truly love and appreciate all you do!

We couldn’t have had the dinner without the gracious donations of food from Fleckenstein’s Bakery, Ed Schmit & Teddy Bear Nursery, Ricobene’s,

our Salad Creator and our Church Family’s Outstanding Baking Skills.

Our Love and Thanks,

Friends and Family of Jessica Lee Troyer

Note:  Phantom Ranch Bible Camp will be mailing receipts for your donations.  Any questions, please email westergrens@wowway.com