A letter about Dustin

I met Dustin probably sometime in elementary school. We didn't go to the same school, we went to the same church and would see each other in Sunday School when we would begrudgingly go because our parents made us. We didn't even really like each other.

A few years later, we were willingly going to the church's youth group. I was really into punk rock, and looked like and admittedly looked like an idiot. All Dustin cared about was sports. For one reason or another, we became friends. We were both lucky enough to get involved with a ministry called PFR, now known as YCM. They put on large scale summer camps across the country that cater to Jr. and Sr. High kids.

We first attended as campers, and couldn't get enough. When we were too old to do that, we came back every year to work as staff for them, one or two weeks out of the summer. We were even lucky enough to be a part of their Conference Summer Staff, and travel the country working at all of their camps for a summer. Currently, Dustin and I both serve on one of their camps' planning teams.

As campers, we really only went for a few reasons; It was a week away from our parents, the games and rec tournaments were fun, and mainly, the girls were hot. Eventually, we realized there was a lot more We've joked for a long time that PFR/YCM should change their slogan to "Come for the girls, Stay for the gospel".

Chuck Neder, the founder of YCM has been a long time, for the lack of a better word, a "hero", of ours. We used to joke around that he was on a whole other level than us. Probably because we never knew when to say when, and stuck around YCM long enough, we got to know Chuck.

Below is an e-mail he sent to people involved with the ministry in one way or another.



Dear YCM friends and family:

I want to share with you as briefly as I can about a visit I had to Philadelphia earlier this week. I went to Philadelphia to visit a friend who has been involved in our ministry since he was eleven years old. His name is Dustin. Dustin actually committed his life to Christ at his first Great Escape. Since then, he has been to every Great Escape Northeast (presently TGE Johnstown). Dustin has served as a counselor, on work crew, and he now serves on the planning team for TGE Johnstown, heading up the platform program. He is truly a phenomenal young man.

The reason for my visit to Philadelphia was that last year, Dustin was diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Since last year, Dustin has lost use of his legs, his arms and is now loosing his voice. The disease is progressing incredibly rapidly. As I sat with Dustin last night, I was impressed with a number of things. I loved the way the Johnstown planning team is surrounding him with love and care, especially his good friend Steve, who also serves on the planning team. His long time youth leader, Harry, is a contractor and has gotten other contractors in the area to refit his mother's apartment to accommodate his special needs. Tim, a friend of Dustin's throughout the years and a pastor in the area, stops by to visit Dustin on a regular basis, as does Elizabeth, Liz, Carl, and other planning team members. I really saw the body of Christ in action in Philadelphia and it was a beautiful thing.

While up there, I had the opportunity to have dinner with our Johnstown planning team. As we fellowshiped together, we talked about the impact of Dustin's situation on us and how it impacts our own view of God. We had a very rich time talking about these things.

As I had a little private time with Dustin, he assured me that he was OK with God, although he had a lot of questions. Dustin said he had good days and bad days...but he also said it could be a lot worse. As he said those words, I wondered to myself how it could be much worse? A young man in his prime, full of life, struck down with this terrible disease. His attitude and his spirit so deeply ministered to me. He told me was has planning to go to the March 5th Planning Team meeting, but didn't know how he'd get to the hotel. I assured Dustin we'd get him there, no matter what it took.

I asked Dustin what his dreams were for the the future. He said he really wanted to attend The Great Escape, but that he probably didn't have the funds or resources it'd take to get him there. I assured Dustin that if his goal and desire was to attend our camp, we would make it happen. Also, his friends are planning a fundraiser for him in April. Dustin majored in journalism, wanting to be a sports broadcaster. His friends have lined up DELETED BECAUSE IT WILL SPOIL SURPRISES, and to date, they have sold over 350 tickets to it. I believe it is even sold-out.

I asked in the subject of this email if what we do through YCM really matters. Sometimes when we spend all day looking at numbers, finances and logistics, and you see kids come and go, never hearing from them again, you do wonder if what you do makes a difference. Then a situation liked this happens. You take a trip to Philadelphia to spend time with Dustin who met Christ at 11 years old at Great Escape and has walked and served with the same friends for over 15 years, and now you see those friends caring and loving him through his battle with this disease. Yes, you realize, what we do does matter.

As Dustin's good friend Steve said to me before I left, "People say to me, you are doing so much, but I say to them, not really, he is my friend and he would do the same for me."

I hope you are encouraged by this story as much as I was.

Thank you for walking with us on this journey and for helping us love kids.

Chuck



I'm not sure how many people will appreciate that e-mail. But Dustin and I both teared up as we read it. Check out YCM's Website.



...... Onto other news,

Dustin and I filmed another video update that should hopefully be up in the next few days. This one requires editing, so be patient.

I think i fixed the first video, so go check that out.

Check back soon. Make sure you send in your payments for the Beef and Beer if you haven't yet!!