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This is just a quick note to let you know that things are much better today. Everyone has those days and everyone gets through them. But for sure, thanks for praying!
I spent most of the day with my friend Jorge (our pastor who was in the car accident last January) and his wife. It was a lot of fun. Jorge and I are getting together every Monday for breakfast. Today that stretched into lunch and then most of the afternoon. My truck's getting some work done on it, and rather than go all the way across the city back to my house, they insisted I hang out at their place. My truck didn't end up being ready today (big surprise), but I still had a good time. Then tonight I met with one of the guys who used to be at Nacer back in the day, to see how he's doing. He's studying at university and has started coming to church with us. As we were sitting and talking, he hesitated for a long moment and then asked if there was space for him to move in with us.
It's interesting...for various reasons (a post for another day) we only have six guys at the house right now. It's been nice...all of them are doing well and in general we've been crisis free. That's a nice thing. Of course it won't last... =) In the past week or so, I've had four different guys ask to move in. One's a no brainer...he's a great kid and would be a huge asset for the house. The other three are good friends of ours, and one especially is in need. If he doesn't move in, I'm not entirely sure what'll happen for him. The problem is, I'm not sure where those guys are at exactly. They've had their share of problems and have made their share of bad decisions in the past. I'm always willing to give a guy the opportunity to change his life, but at the same time, we've just come off of a situation that was difficult for the guys who live here. Tossing another one onto their laps might not be entirely fair.
So...it's complicated. I would appreciate prayer on this one too. There are moments where weighing and balancing everyone's needs here can be a bit tricky. All in all, I'm being more direct with the guys who are interested in living here. They need to know very clearly my expectations. I mentioned this awhile back, but my friend Corina told me once, in regards to her ministry, "Everyone is welcome to study here. But they have to want to change. If they don't want to change, we still care for them, but this isn't the place for them." That's really stuck with me, and has become one of the first things I share with a potential kid.
At any rate, there's limited bed space and more butt's than I know where to put. But with God's input, it'll work itself out. As I said, for the time being we're doing well and for the most part, peace reigns in the house.
Talk to me tomorrow however... =)
By the way, I posted a few more pictures today. Click on "Photos" and then "Celebrations...". They're pictures of past birthdays and other celebrations here at the house. I've tried to make those days special for us. I mentioned this in the pictures, but for many of the guys, before this past year, they'd never celebrated their birthdays before. For most of them, last Christmas was the first time they'd ever recieved a gift that was wrapped and was just for them. So it's been fun to celebrate and make those days important. It's good for our sense of community here and for helping the guys understand that they're important to us.
PS We haven't heard anything new one way or another for the girls at Cristo Viene. I'll let you know as soon as we hear a decision. In the meantime, thanks for continuing to pray...
This is just a quick note to let you know that things are much better today. Everyone has those days and everyone gets through them. But for sure, thanks for praying!
I spent most of the day with my friend Jorge (our pastor who was in the car accident last January) and his wife. It was a lot of fun. Jorge and I are getting together every Monday for breakfast. Today that stretched into lunch and then most of the afternoon. My truck's getting some work done on it, and rather than go all the way across the city back to my house, they insisted I hang out at their place. My truck didn't end up being ready today (big surprise), but I still had a good time. Then tonight I met with one of the guys who used to be at Nacer back in the day, to see how he's doing. He's studying at university and has started coming to church with us. As we were sitting and talking, he hesitated for a long moment and then asked if there was space for him to move in with us.
It's interesting...for various reasons (a post for another day) we only have six guys at the house right now. It's been nice...all of them are doing well and in general we've been crisis free. That's a nice thing. Of course it won't last... =) In the past week or so, I've had four different guys ask to move in. One's a no brainer...he's a great kid and would be a huge asset for the house. The other three are good friends of ours, and one especially is in need. If he doesn't move in, I'm not entirely sure what'll happen for him. The problem is, I'm not sure where those guys are at exactly. They've had their share of problems and have made their share of bad decisions in the past. I'm always willing to give a guy the opportunity to change his life, but at the same time, we've just come off of a situation that was difficult for the guys who live here. Tossing another one onto their laps might not be entirely fair.
So...it's complicated. I would appreciate prayer on this one too. There are moments where weighing and balancing everyone's needs here can be a bit tricky. All in all, I'm being more direct with the guys who are interested in living here. They need to know very clearly my expectations. I mentioned this awhile back, but my friend Corina told me once, in regards to her ministry, "Everyone is welcome to study here. But they have to want to change. If they don't want to change, we still care for them, but this isn't the place for them." That's really stuck with me, and has become one of the first things I share with a potential kid.
At any rate, there's limited bed space and more butt's than I know where to put. But with God's input, it'll work itself out. As I said, for the time being we're doing well and for the most part, peace reigns in the house.
Talk to me tomorrow however... =)
By the way, I posted a few more pictures today. Click on "Photos" and then "Celebrations...". They're pictures of past birthdays and other celebrations here at the house. I've tried to make those days special for us. I mentioned this in the pictures, but for many of the guys, before this past year, they'd never celebrated their birthdays before. For most of them, last Christmas was the first time they'd ever recieved a gift that was wrapped and was just for them. So it's been fun to celebrate and make those days important. It's good for our sense of community here and for helping the guys understand that they're important to us.
PS We haven't heard anything new one way or another for the girls at Cristo Viene. I'll let you know as soon as we hear a decision. In the meantime, thanks for continuing to pray...
2 comments:
I've read all your posts since you got back today. It sounds like a qualification for you is change as well... Which is never easy. I hope and pray for solutions to come your way, and for the girls in the endangered home.
Shalom.
Thanks Twyla...I appreciate the comment and the prayers... =)
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