Here is what people have been saying:

Dear Dave and Alycia,

Thank you also for all you do for and with Josh. I think that getting him involved with X-Stream is one the best things I could have done for him. He has grown and matured not just physically and mentally but also emotionally and spiritually in the last year. It’s wonderful to see such a transformation. Saying thanks just doesn’t seem to be enough to express my gratitude.

Thank you again~
Michele

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I’ve heard many people say “I just don’t have the words to express how thankful I am,” in situations where a huge amount of appreciation needed to be shown, and I would think to myself, “there has to be a way to express your gratitude in words…. heartfelt, loving words”. Then I sat down to write a note of thanks to Dave and Alycia Meile, their family, and X-stream Youth Ministry for all they have done for my family and my son. It was then I realized that “just words” truly will never be able to express the feelings of thanks, gratitude, and love, we have for them.

It must have been a prayer answered when my son accidentally ran into Dave and Alycia Meile at Rocky Ridge Park and they invited two strangers (my son and his friend) to join them in a bike ride. That was more than two years ago. Since then, through X-stream Youth Ministry, the young man that my son has become is now skilled at mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, skateboarding, and camping, just to name a few. For the past year he has volunteered with XYM, helping work with and mentor the new youth. He has also volunteered as a coaching assistant for youth soccer.

What I see now, besides the skills and knowledge of learning new sports and activities, is God blessing us through X-stream. X-Stream provides my son with positive direction, self-confidence, leadership skills and most importantly the compassion to share and care for others.

Pam

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Dear Dave and Alycia:

Thank you! I can't begin to express the gratitude I have for you, Alycia and Dave, for the time, effort and support you have given my son. I have been searching, literally for years, for something to guide him towards positive goals in his life. Nothing is available to a child, struggling with daily teenage problems, unless they are within the system. You have provided, through your dedication, a safe haven for my son, to experience God in a positive light. Thank you for allowing him to open up, share his feelings, and realize, there is more to life than being tough. His gentle side comes out more and more, with each session he spends with you and the others. He is allowed to be himself, his true self, without wondering what others will think. He now has an outlet for his excess energy and the support of an extended family. God has truly blessed us with this program, and what a phenomenal impact it has made in his life. Thank you for extending yourselves to a phone call away. You have become two of the greatest people to impact his life in a truly positive way.

God Bless You,
Lori S.

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Dear Dave and Alycia:

I wanted to take a minute to thank you for the wonderful X-Stream program. When you approached me about my son participating in the X-Stream program, I thought it sounded like a good thing, but it turned out to be a fantastic thing!

As you know, my son has ODD and RAD, which of course makes him fear-based, oppositional and always wanting control. Add that with normal teen attitude and yep, I have my hands full.

It was wonderful to hear his progress each week. After his second session I knew your program was exactly what he needed, as he told me how he thought he knew how to do it and he didn’t really and when he tried to do it HIS way, it didn’t work. He said, “I thought I knew how to do it, so I didn’t really listen to the guy but then when I tried it my way, I started going BACKWARDS! So the instructor told me what to do and then I started listening to him and doing what he said and it worked and I could do it!” He not only admitted this, but giving up control was a real step forward, too!

When I would come to pick him up and overhear the campfire talk, I was impressed with how you related the day to God. It seemed so natural and not forced, just relating kayaking with spiritual life and encouraging them to see how God fits into their everyday lives.

It was awesome to hear him gain a little more confidence each week, not just in his kayaking skills, but with his building relationships with the other teens, with his trust in the staff and with his excitement to share his experiences and connect with me. His pride really showed through at the graduation celebration when he was asked to point out who he brought with him . . . his mom, his brother, his aunt, his cousin and her husband, their children and his TSS! I loved hearing about each child’s strengths, weaknesses and most importantly growth in the program. It pointed out how you connected with each participant and really made a difference! Imagine what could be accomplished with more time!

Again, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to you! I think your concept of mixing God, Nature, Sports and Teens is a winning combination.

I heard that some obstacles have been thrown in your path, but PLEASE do not let them discourage you! This is a worthwhile program, different from anything I have ever heard of and I would love to have my son involved again. If you need any help from me, just let me know!

Blessings to you!
Betsy H.

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Dear Dave and Alycia:

Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much we appreciate what you are doing with this X-Stream program. Our son said he had a terrific time and learned that in kayaking what you think you are supposed to do you have to do the exact opposite just like with God. He really enjoyed the fellowshipping with kids from all walks of life and getting to know them. He also felt closer to God by being in close relationship to the beauty of what God created.

I really enjoyed seeing the enthusiasm in him about this program. Our family would be really glad to help out any way we can in the future with this program. Please keep u-p the good work in God’s name and we will keep praying for your success in this program and all that you try to accomplish.

Thank you again,
The S. family