All I could help to hope for was that the Lord would give me patience and help me to see the whole picture. Growing up one of the biggest lessons I probably learned, or the one that stuck was respect, it was quite evident that these kids as I will call by their actions don't even respect themselves. It's one thing to be disrespectful to others but I think it's a whole other ballgame when it's yourself. For example, we had all of the people go around and say something positive about the two ladies who are leaving. For one it was immensely hard for some to say something nice and for two it was even harder for the two ladies to take what positive things were said. I guess I just have to step back and remember that they were not given the opportunity to learn how to take a nice comment about themselves but rather they have spent their lives defending their self.
After all of the company left I was able to join the girls for their evening devotion which was quite emotional. Two ladies talked about getting to know the Lord and the peace that one can find. Another thanked God for rescuing her from her gang lifestyle and helping her to find a better path. She recognized that had she not found God she would not be alive. As I looked around the room at the hurt, secrets and accusations that these girls are filled with it was all I could do to keep myself together. Can you imagine your parents blaming their pending divorce on you? Or what about having your family members let you get beat up by fellow gang members? Even better what about having to live with one of your abusers every weekend? The list could go on but to me this is more than anyone much less a 13 year old should ever have to handle. This was the source of my frustration as you can imagine.
As I was reminded several times before and after last night I, we must remember that in order to minister to others we must be able to minister and take care of ourselves. Don't be like the starving baker as I have heard before.
Thank you for your continued prayers and thoughts and I ask that you remember the students who are leaving and coming as well as their families as they overcome cancer, substance abuse, homelessness and much more. I ask that you keep in mind the staff as they are able to love and support each one but also that they are able to find refuge for themselves from all of the pain.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8
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