This past Wednesday night I met with the freshman boys that I have been mentoring. Tonight, I let them know that I will be meeting with them for two more weeks and then I am finished. I have enjoyed the time together and I have gotten an education about what the youth of suburban America is going through right now. Quite frankly, some of the things that I have learned are surprising, even shocking. Quite frankly, some of the things I have learned are very sad.
I have learned that some of the boys don't have money for lunch and they won't stand in the "poor" boys lunch line because the girls don't date those boys. I have learned that some of the boys have not seen their mothers in over 10 years (these boys are 14 and 15 year old boys). Some of the boys' parents are hooked on meth and crack and these people don't function at home very well so the boys end up taking care of themselves. Some of the boys face verbal and physical abuse when they go home. Some of the boys have sex on a regular basis and started when they were 12 or 13 years old. All sad situations indeed.
But there have been some very rewarding things that have happened the past two years. Some of my boys have gone from D students to A/B students. Some of my boys have started trying to eat healthy. Some of them have given up tobacco. A few of the boys are reading the bible on a daily basis. Some are learning to unconditionally love their parents, no matter what the situation is. And some have set their goals on attending college and making a better life for themselves and their families.
I hope I have been some kind of help to these boys. I will miss them. But it is time to move on. I feel like my work is done and that the boys need someone locally to lead them so that they can do weekend events together and just see each other on a more regular basis than what I am able to.
For any of the boys that read this blog; Thank you. You have given me more than I could have ever given you. Stay the course. Persevere. And trust God. You will make it and you will make a difference.
God Bless!
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