The Least of These

When I returned from furlough I was ready to get back and jump in. My staff did an amazing job holding down the fort in my absence, but I always feel like a teacher who has had a sub and I get back and have to figure out where everything is at. It went smoothly though, and after just a few days it didn't feel as if I'd been gone! Last fall, Corni and I began making weekly visits to one of our newer facilities. This is a place we got in contact with about two years ago when we had some of our kids from another facility transferred there. We started regular visits with Melissa and Heather last year and then Corni and I took it over this year. It is a catch-all type of place. The state uses it for all of the cases in the county that they don't know what to do with. There are moms with kids that need shelter, teen-age moms that are pregnant or recently gave birth and don't know where to go, kids that have been recently put in the system and they are not sure which facility to place them in, and kids that are under disciplinary action. Because of all of the different types of cases that come through some kids are there for a long time and others its a short stop over. When we first started there were 16 people there, now there are 28. When we go we try to do something beneficial for them. We've done educational tutoring for the older ones and developmental activities for the younger. We try to do art, stories, Biblical teaching, games and other things to break up their days. If we have free time the favorite game to play is farkle. It has become quite the hit. When I returned from furlough and we made our first visit we were in for a bit of a shock. There are two new teen age boys that are there because their behavior got them removed from home or other facilities. From the second they walked in they were rude, aggressive, mocking, and very disruptive. Horrible language and hand gestures were also present and within a few minutes one had physically threatened Corni with a stick. The next week we found out that one of them had beaten up a guard and the police were called. They chose not to do anything since he's already in a disciplinary facility. The moms and other kids are scared and there is definitely a feeling of fear and chaos. This last week, the more disruptive of the boys didn't come to our group and the other participated with some redirection. I, at least, saw that he was able to be molded and took some direction. Later the more disruptive boy came in and our Valentine bingo game was quickly ended when he started throwing big chunks of bread at us and laughing. I've worked with lots of kids over the years and in my background of kids with Emotional Behavior disorders this is not the first I've had this type of experience. As Corni and I've been talking about how we are going to handle him and the time with this group, we've talked a lot about this boy. What has he lived through to be this angry? What kind of atmosphere does he come from to know all of the vulgar word, phrases and actions that he uses. How does God see him? How do we deal with the others kids and keep them safe? We know that we as Christians are called to love the least of these. That includes this boy. How? We are still figuring that all out, but for now it means that we are praying for him and for the safety of the others in this facility. It also means we will keep showing up. We will start each time there with a smile and a fresh start. We will treat him with respect, even if he doesn't treat us with it. We will invite him to participate, even if would be easier if he wasn't there. I don't know if it will work the way we hope, or how long this boy will be around. But I do know that we serve a God who specializes in miracles of changing the least likely into usable vessels. Please Lord, work a miracle in this boy's heart!