Dear ALERT
Alumni:
In the early
fall of 2016 we held a number of planning meetings regarding direction for
ALERT programming in 2017. One of the topics that resonated was the need to
connect, engage and support in whatever ways possible the alumni of the ALERT
program. This is by no means a new thought but rather one that has been
mentioned on a number of occasions over the years but had unfortunately fallen
by the wayside. I would like to see that recommendation come to fruition.
It’s easy to
take for granted past enrollees, assume things are going well for them and then
quickly forget faces and move on to the next unit of men. We know that is not
always the case. Many of you have indeed gone on to successful careers, perhaps
gone the military route, or may be married and raising families. However for
some the road has been a bit rocky. Finances haven’t worked out as you
expected, relationships with a new circle of friends has never developed like
they were at ALERT, married life is a
bigger adjustment than you thought or perhaps God has become a figure in the
distant past and life has lost its purpose.
If any of
the above struggles describe where you’re at please take heart. You’re not
alone. We still want to be part of a band of brothers that rejoices in each
other’s accomplishments as well as shares one another’s burdens. To kick start
the reconnection I’d like to send out a regular update of ALERT related news. I’m
hoping these letters will be a little more personal than the general ALERT
communiqué we send out to our entire mailing list. It will contain some of the
following:
- News regarding
training venues and what they’re up to.
- Staff updates.
- Deployment
opportunities the men have engaged in as well as upcoming opportunities for
reserves to participate in with us.
- Passing on job
opportunities that have come across our desk from outside employers.
- Specific ALERT
related information that is of interest to our guys.
- Specific needs we
have that you can be in prayer for.
As many of
you know we have been partnering with Samaritans Purse on disaster relief the
last several years and have found it a great fit. The prayer request bullet
point above is something that SP sends out weekly to those who are site
leaders, allowing us to share and pray for each other. It’s been a real
encouragement and is a great extension of the body of Christ, despite the
distance between us. That is the kind of
“connection” we’re hoping to develop with our alumni.
I realize
many of you already stay “connected” in some form or fashion via Facebook or
other social media. However I’m choosing to use email as the mode of
communication to avoid a lot of the extemporaneous stuff that shows up on other
sites and keep the message a little more personal.
We look
forward to hearing from you in the days ahead and please let us know as a staff
how we can help you in any way. May God richly bless you in the days ahead.
In Him,
Marv Behr
Director,
IAA
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