A few years ago, Linda and I heard the usual "support Oakdale Christian Academy" pitch from a representative at our church. On the way home we agreed that high school students belong at home with their parents, not off in some school in Kentucky. We questioned the need for a boarding school.

On one of our Craftsmen for Christ projects to a church in Ohio, we were told that the pastor had taken two boys from the church down to Oakdale. The mother was working at the church doing odd jobs and we heard her story of hardship and fear that the boys were in real danger of falling into the wrong crowd and failing at school.

The next spring we went with a group of people from Michigan to work on some projects at Oakdale. We saw the Oakdale ministry in action. We met the two boys and rejoiced to learn that they were progressing academically, socially, and spiritually. They were transformed young men.

Now we know why supporting Oakdale is not only right but imperative for the future of many young people. We should be supporting an increase in enrollment, facilities, and opportunity for many more.