Hide Article Text (OCR)
Tb the Editor:In our weekly staff meeting at Hill Country Youth Ranch, we prayed for Mark Shellenberger. Why? Because abused childrenwho don’t get help, abuse others.Although we do not know all the details of Mark’s childhood, we know the statistics we have learned in our professional training, and now, perhaps more than ever, we are aware of the importance of the work we do.Some of us were co-workers of Mark Shellenberger, some never knew him ... no one knew the level of disturbance he harbored ... he didn’t look like a child molester, he looked like somebody s neighbor, somebody’s son.Our hearts are broken, but we know we need to heal quickly and continue this important work.There have been more than 650 children who have come through our gates, and many, now grown, return for visits bringing their own children and proudly proclaiming that the chain of abuse has been broken On May 17, one of our children,after many years of perseverance, and resilience, will walk across the stage at Schreiner College and receive his college diploma. We’ll be there.Youth ranch children often come to us angry, and with a very poor sense of self worth. Most leave feeling that their lives matter to someone. We pray for all of them.Have you heard that the prisons are full? They will be a lot more packed if we don’t help troubled children now when they need it most. Our work is difficult, the hours long and the challenge great. Rest is hard to come by, but the need is enormous.The actions of a damaged man do not represent all of us. There have been more than 500 staff and thousands of volunteers who have, over the 20 years of operation, come to join this blessed ministry and we are represented by the 47 children now living and learning at the ranch and by the beautiful young people who have grown into responsible citizens and remarkable human beings.Please remember we need your prayers and we never stop needing community support. Anyone who would like to see the facts about the great program we have for abused and abandoned children is welcome to come for a tour of our facility or to volunteer to help us with this monumental task.Hill Country Youth Ranch Staff
Newspaper Details
Kerrville Daily Times
Kerrville, Texas, US
Sun, May 17, 1998
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
TX, USA 13 Oct 2021
Other Publications Near Kerrville, Texas
Kerrville Times
Hill View Times
Kerrville Mountain Sun
Kerrville Daily Times
