A Glimpse of the Need   Nationally: "1,500 children die from abuse each year. (Over 4 every day) There are 140,000 injuries to children from abuse each year." "...about 1 in 4 women in North America were molested in childhood." "More than 2 million cases of child abuse and neglect are reported each year in the United States. An estimated 150,000 to 200,000 new cases of sexual abuse occur each year." "There were an estimated 903,000 victims of maltreatment nationwide." "...approximately 1 in 7 males will have been sexually molested before the age of 18."   Wyoming: Population, Children Under 18 (2004) ............ 116,932 · In 2003, there were 5,199 total referrals of child abuse and neglect. Of these, [only] 2,381 reports were referred for investigation. · In 2003, 786 children were substantiated or indicated as abused or neglected in Wyoming, a rate of 6.5 per 1,000 children, representing a 13.6% increase from 2002. · In 2003, 8 children died as a result of abuse or neglect in Wyoming. · In 2003, an estimated 4,000 children ages 12–17, and 37,000 adults 18 and older, were dependent on or abusing illicit drugs or alcohol. · In 2003, an estimated 2,000 children ages 12–17 in Wyoming needed but had not received treatment for illicit drug use in the past year. · In 2003, an estimated 3,000 children ages 12–17 needed but had not received treatment for alcohol use in the past year. · A 2003 General Accounting Office (GAO) report documented that staff shortages, high caseloads, high worker turnover, and low salaries impinge on delivering services to achieve safety, permanence, and well-being for children. · The federal Child and Family Service Reviews have clearly demonstrated that the more time a caseworker spends with a child and family, the better the outcomes for those children and families. · According to the 2003 GAO report, the average caseload for child welfare/foster care caseworkers is 24–31 children and that these high caseloads contribute to high worker turnover and insufficient services provided to children and families. CWLA recommends that foster care caseworkers have caseloads of 12–15 children. · In 2002, the minimum annual salary for a caseworker responsible for investigating reports of abuse and neglect in Wyoming was $27,612 ; the median income for a family of four in Wyoming was $57,148. · In 2002, 30.3% of all Wyoming births were to unmarried mothers. ·In Fremont county, the county where Debbie and I live, 47.8% of all births were to unmarried mothers.   As you can see the need is great and the task is daunting. But, God’s Word clearly states that the darkness cannot overcome the light. Jesus says in Matthew that we “are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill…” Please, continue to pray that God will continue to put this project together and raise up the laborers and the finances needed to provide light for those who are living in darkness.   We estimate that we will need $350,000.00 to build our first home and staff it for a year. Through your generous gifts to date we have raised $150,000.00. God has been so good and you have been so faithful. We have enough money on hand to start building our first home this summer.   We appreciate the notes and words of encouragement that you send us. We know that we do not stand alone in this ministry.