1 Thessalonians 1:3

I wish that there was an encouraging story to tell you, but it has actually been a rough time around here lately. Not that anything out of the ordinary has happened, we are just at that point in the development of many of our students. We have had several leave the program recently, either by graduating or simply giving up. The transition is always a difficult time. Although there are some students who really change for good, there are many who just skate their way through the program. We do the best we can to identify this pitfall, but we can only bring them to the living water, they must choose whether or not they are going to drink.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, we had four students run away a couple months ago. Two returned, but one of them left again a few days later. I have kept in contact with the girl who left the program and spent last Thursday listening to her talk about her new life. While telling me that she is not doing bad (not making bad decisions) she also unveils that her and her dad are not speaking, that she thinks get drunk is fun and she hopes she wont get kicked out of school for always sleeping through it. And while talking with her I saw Sad Girl. She also has left her program, but what is worse is the fact that she is cutting again. Sad Girl tried to hide the evidence, but I still called her out on the fresh wounds all the way up her arms. It is so hard to see these ladies robbed of their joy. You can see it in their eyes. A hardness returns to their gaze. There is also a girl who just graduated the program but is still attending our school and I think the look in her eyes is the hardest to be confronted with. I pray that I can be compassionate toward her, but I find myself getting angry every time I look at her. Not that I am angry at her, my blood just boils as I see the enemy come and snatch the hope right out of these kids I love so much. I found myself saying, "I wish I didn't love people so much." But the reality is, I am very grateful the Lord allows me to share in a portion of His love for these kids. Every time my heart breaks I am tenderly reminded of His deep love.

There are a few who are so drastically different and sincere, they are a constant reminder that we are truly impacting lives. I just often wish we could see more of the harvesting. But not all are called to harvest. So I will continue to plant and trust the God who causes growth.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support.