I have no idea how many children there are in this neighborhood, but they are everywhere - sometimes 5 or 6 in one
house. One thing I know for certain and can count on without a doubt, when they see me walking Ivan children will suddenly appear and gather around him. They want to touch him, hug him, and some even want to ride him (we don’t do that one).
Pray for the children and for South Side Baptist Church, a community church that reaches out to the people in my “hood.”
In the suburbs, even though we had a postage stamp size front yard, our back yard was large and fenced in, perfect for Ivan to run in and play Frisbee. However in the hood, we have no front yard and, although fenced in, our back yard is VERY small. In the suburbs, I took Ivan for walks because we both enjoy walking. Here in the city it’s the only way Ivan can get the exercise he needs and it also gives us the opportunity to meet people in the hood.
We’ve adapted our early morning route to first “take care of business” by going a block down the ally away from the house (1) into an industrial area by the railroad tracks. We usually circle the abandoned tour bus (2), walk across the parking lot to Heidelberg Distribution, pass their dumpster, head down the tracks beside their building (5, 6), and then we’re ready to walk the streets in our hood. We try to remember to take a plastic bag with us (for scooping up Ivan’s “stuff”) but if we forget, we can always find several discarded bags among the trash and broken glass littering the way.
Yesterday, when I approached the dumpster (4), I suddenly noticed a man standing half way back by its side. He was barefooted and looked like he had just woken up. I spoke to him. He was very talkative and seemed somewhat nervous. I asked him if he had slept there. “Oh, no! I work here.” This was early Sunday morning. There were no cars, no open loading dock doors, no sign that the company was open at all. I described the man to Manly. Later in the day Manly saw him walking on our street and recognized him as one of the homeless men who occasionally eats at the mission.
This morning, as every morning, I took Ivan out for our first walk of the day. As we approached the bus Ivan suddenly stopped in his tracks and uttered a low protective guttural growl. There right in front of me was a man sleeping on the ground next to the bus (3). Ivan’s short series of warning “woofs” got his attention. The startled man jerked his head, then shoulders off the ground to lock eyes with this huge growling canine. I quickly calmed Ivan and assured the man it was OK and we walked on. A few minutes later when we circled back, from across the parking lot I could see him laying in the same spot.
Sometimes it happens with instant deliverance but in most instances it’s a healing process that happens over time. Why doesn’t God instantly “zap” every needy, addicted soul with deliverance? I believe it’s because usually the addiction is only the symptom of a much deeper problem. The drugs, alcohol, food, and/or other addiction or behavior is their way of self-medicating to cover the hurts, habits, and hang-ups in their lives.
It’s like having a deeply infected gaping wound (The infected part represents the hurts, habits, and hang-ups of a lifetime.) and attempting to treat it with soap, water, and a Band-Aid. Until we go to the doctor and allow him to remove the infected tissue and give us some antibiotics, it’s not going to heal. In fact, it could very well end up killing us. God is our Great Physician healing and restoring the hopeless situations in our lives. He works from the inside out. He works through His Word, His Spirit, and His people.
If you know someone who’s hurting direct them towards the Great Healer. Tell them about your church’s help programs, Celebrate Recovery, or other ministries. From there they can be referred, if needed, to professionals: detox, Christian counselors, recovery programs, medical treatment, etc.
Remember, you can make the difference in someone’s life today!
Healing always takes much more than a Band Aid—it takes the power of an almighty, loving God. It takes a miracle. It’s something only God can do.
Many of you were loyal fans of the TV series “Touched by an Angel.” I can’t say that I watched the series faithfully, but each time I did its message of hope moistened my eyes as desperate human souls in perilous situations were rescued by the cast of angels (Roma Downey, Della Reese, John Dye, and Valerie Bertinelli). Although I can’t vouch for the angelic authenticity, and at times was somewhat bothered by the biblical inaccuracies, I found many of the storylines to be profoundly insightful. In researching “Touched By An Angel,’ I was relieved to discover that I was not the only one with these mixed feelings. Martha Williamson, the visionary Executive Producer and Head Writer of the CBS series, herself had doubts about the storyline and almost turned down the job. (Read the article from Guideposts Magazine)
The success of the show, in part, I’m sure was the heavenly hope that someone bigger than our most insurmountable problems actually notices and is willing to intervene. We want to believe that God really does care enough about us to become personally involved in our lives and that He is ready to send someone to our rescue. It’s very unlikely that he sends an angel like in the series, but we do know, without a doubt or reservation, that He sent his very best—His son to redeem us and the Holy Spirit to comfort and teach us. And, through the Great Commission and many other Scriptures, He has also sent us. We—every single one of us believers—has been sent by God to touch the lives of other believers and non-believers alike. It is not a suggestion on God’s part, it’s a command.
“I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. I command you to love each other.” John 15:12-13 (NLT)
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ and the king will tell them, “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters; you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25:37-45 (NLT)
We, in a sense, are God’s “angels;” although He calls us His saints. His saints are not diety. They are not sinless and perfect. His saints are people just like you and me, Christian believers he chooses to work through to touch the world. Like I said in September 13th’s post “If Nobody Reaches Out, Nobody Gets Touched!” The Bible tells us several times that we are to love one another, that we are to serve one another.
Don’t be afraid to lay down you life (inconvenience yourself a little) for others. Remember, when you are showing love and compassion to “one of the least of these.” you are doing it to Jesus. Watch the finale of Touched by an Angel.
What Scriptures motivate you to reach out and serve? Leave your comments
Was your life touched by a saint? Did someone show you undeserved love and compassion that changed your life? To encourage others, go to the Message Board and leave your story for all to enjoy.
If you were encouraged by one of the stories left, please reply to the message and/or comment at Your Story Inspired Me!
This was a slow month as far as ministry. I had surgery at the beginning of December and had to take it easy (difficult for me to do) for the rest of the month.
Dear Friends,
Manly and I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that your New Year will be filled with God’s very best blessings for you and those you love.
It has been an exciting year. Last spring my book Letters to Lori won the Independent Publishers Best Regional Nonfiction Award!!. We have used the proceeds from the sales of Letters to Lori to benefit Appalachian ministries in WV and TN. We plan to continue this—PLUS add something new!!
During 2008 our hearts have been more and more drawn to the people in the inner city of Northern Kentucky experiencing hopelessness because of the life-controlling issues they face every day—including: generational poverty, relationships, abuse, addictions, and life’s other hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We have spent much time talking and praying, and our love and concern for the people in KY, WV, and TN has continued to grow.
Working with hurting people is nothing new to us, but we do feel that the Lord has shown us a new direction for serving Him for the remainder of our lives. For the past 28 years it has been our calling to “love His children” (the hurting and many times the unlovable ones). We have done this by “working” through church involvement (support, recovery, & discipleship groups), “serving” in fulltime ministry (residential treatment programs & recovery ministry), and “training” pastors and lay people how to effectively work with and help individuals with life-controlling issues. We have lived and worked among the hurting all these years—so what’s new?
Not much! Over the years we have seen hundreds of devastated lives changed for God’s glory. Many of those former drug addicts, pimps, prostitutes and gang members are now pastors, evangelists, missionaries, or faithful workers in their churches, in the jails, and in other ministries. We desire to continue in ministry work as long as God allows us. It is a huge part of who we are. We are older now—in our retirement years, even though we have not really retired.
Manly will be 68 in March, generally still in very good health with some aging slow downs, and still plans to keep working for a few more years at Fairhaven Rescue Mission where, as you may know, he heads up the long-term (up to one year) residential program for men who desire to turn their lives around.
So, what’s new? Since 1981 we have brought people from the streets in to live with us—into our home or into residential programs where they would live among us on our “turf.” With our children all grown and married, now is the time for us to move out of the suburbs and live among the people who need help the most—“on their turf.” We will most likely begin in the Covington, KY area as Manly continues at Fairhaven. We will remain open and available to respond if God chooses to send us elsewhere later on.
We need to be living within our retirement income. Hopefully, the Lord has found us faithful over the past 28 years and we have many riches reserved for us in glory. But we have to admit that we have not shown much “earthly wisdom” in saving up wealth for our old age here on earth. It seems that there has always been someone else who needed help or a ministry work that needed to be done which paid little or nothing at all. So, our retirement income will only be Social Security for both of us and the proceeds from my book Letters to Lori.
We feel we can purchase a home in the inner city on a short term mortgage of 5 or so years. Repairs are usually needed on older homes and repairs in a low income housing area can be significant, but Manly has done this type of work numerous times—one of those necessary “hobbies” in residential ministry that has become a real godsend in gaining experience.
We long to live among the people “just being:” a neighbor, a friend, an encourager, an example, a grandma, a grandpa—“just being” whoever Christ wants us to be! January through June of 2009, we will start by volunteering to help existing ministries, church outreaches, etc. while continuing to live in Elsmere. In July we will move into the inner city.
We wanted you to know how the Lord is leading us. Please keep us in your prayers—AND tell everyone to buy my “AWARD-WINNING” book!! It will help us carry out our mission. I plan to blog (www.letterstolori.org) about our experiences and would love for you to follow what’s happening in the “Last Great Adventures!” of our “Senior Years.”
Blessings Always,
Barbara League
Early on Christmas morning Manly and I drove over to Ohio to watch our grandchildren (Autumn 6 and Lincoln 2) open their presents. Heather (our daughter) and her husband Jared had been looking forward to Christmas and a visit from Jared’s parents, who live in PA, and his sister and her boyfriend.
Autumn and Lincoln were about to have the time of their lives—another memory of a happy childhood. Yes, it was a happy time but I couldn’t shake the sadness I felt for the children who would not wake up to such a lovely site. Would not even wake up in a warm house.
I thought about another grandmother who lived only thirty or forty minutes away, across the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky. This grandmother was raising her three grandchildren by herself. It was difficult making it day by day, trying to see that the children had what they needed like food and clothes to wear to school.
There was never enough—of anything. She had been able to get a small Christmas gift each for two of the children, but had no idea what to do for the twelve-year-old. There was no money left, even for food, and her check wouldn’t come until the first of the month, two weeks away. Just when she was about to give up, she heard about a mission that, the week before, had given out brand new Christmas presents and even a shopping bag full of enough food to make a Christmas feast. Maybe they would have a gift left for her grandson.
Embarrassed for having to ask, she knocked on the mission’s door. Her heart broke when she learned that all the toys had been given away. There was nothing left. Nothing at all. “But wait! We do have a sleeping bag he might like. It’s brand new. We give them out to the street people when it gets really cold.”
The grandmother’s eyes filled with tears. She could barely get the words out. “Thank you so much! That will be the perfect gift. You see, my apartment is small and we don’t have any beds. We sleep on blankets on the floor. My grandson will think he’s camping and the sleeping bag will keep him nice and warm. It’s the perfect gift. Thank you!
Manly and I are looking forward to moving into this Northern Kentucky area as we launch out on our “Last Great Adventure!” We are looking forward to sharing the “Perfect Christmas Gift” with people like this grandmother and her grandchildren—the only gift that continues to bring hope all year through, not just at Christmas time. After all, HE IS the one who brings good news to the poor, comfort to the brokenhearted, freedom to the captives. HE IS the one who gives beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.
___________________
It’s great being a grandma. I had never experienced being close to my first two grandchildren. Their dad is a Lt. Col. in the military so they have lived in several different states and for five years they lived in Germany. For a few years they lived only two and a half hours away from us. Tucked in my treasure chest of memories are the Thanksgivings and Christmas mornings we spent with them there, and the soccer games, swimming at the Y, and the weekends we spent helping them remodel their house.
Heather and her family live with us. They moved from Maryland last July with high hopes of quickly finding jobs so they could get settled in an apartment. With the economy as it is, jobs are not so easy to find. Jared started working a couple months ago and it looks like Heather will start working soon. PTL!! The benefit for us—we can spend time with our grandchildren every day. They love their grandma and grandpa and love being around us.
In my book, Letters to Lori, Opal speaks to Lori (her granddaughter) of the special relationship she had with her grandmother.
“I used to sit on the porch and snap beans with my Grandma Corn and we would talk for hours. Grandma had many wonderful and incredible memories of the past. She would eagerly gather us up in her arms and tell us as much as we wanted to hear about how things once were. She’d tell us tales about the Civil War and her family and all sorts of things. Most of the people we knew growing up did not like to talk about the history of their families. Maybe there were too many things they didn’t want known. Many were too preoccupied with the hardships of the present day to want to remember times that were even worse. Oh, but not my grandma! She built within us a love and acceptance of our heritage. Isn’t it amazing how some people—no matter how much bad happens to them, no matter how difficult the situations life seems to hand them—can come out on the other side even stronger? That’s how my grandma was. Of all my grandparents, Grandma Corn had the biggest influence in my life and the biggest place in my in my heart.”
Learn more about my book here.
Much of my time in October and November was spent at doctor appointments and testing. But we did participate in Christmas in November, three days of meetings sponsored by several churches and hosted by a downtown Covington church. We served as greeters and then as prayer partners at the end of the services.
At events like Christmas in November—which are great—I can’t help but question, What’s the follow up plan? Most people who are caught up in addiction and other devastating life controlling issues need discipleship and a strong support system to work through their issues. These problems are severe and may even need professional help.
At Christmas in November I had the opportunity to pray for a lady who told me she was an alcoholic. She didn’t want to drink any more. She wanted her children back. She wanted to stop making the same type of bad choices over and over. And I wondered Where will she get the help needed to break this addiction? Yes, prayer is needed. Prayer is wonderful and comforting. This lady will need a lot of prayer to make it back to sobriety. In fact, I would ask that you add her to your prayer list as well as the others like her. Yes, there’s hope, but that hope is only through Jesus Christ, prayer, help, and support.
Because of Manly’s involvement with Fairhaven Rescue Mission where he works, we were already somewhat familiar with a number of local churches and pastors. The types of church ministries vary.
One church, on the south side of Covington, has served that community for over 100 years. For the past 40 years they have also offered a complete child care and learning program for children birth through age 10 for very reasonable rates. In 2000, the church purchased “The Salty Dog Saloon” which was attached to the end of their church (many of the buildings and houses in the city are connected) and turned it into a community activity center. The center provides one-on-one tutoring for kindergarten through the 5th grade; an adult bimonthly Bible club that includes, in addition to a Bible study time, dinner, games and fellowship; a children’s Bible program every Wednesday; a food pantry; the monthly youth nights (middle school and high school) include games, food, and fellowship; computer classes for adults; AA meetings every weekday morning; monthly family activity nights include movies, popcorn, and drinks or game and crafts nights which includes dinner.
Another church downtown provides a strong outreach to the very poor and homeless on Sunday evenings. With the help of congregations from the suburbs, they provide a meal, a message of hope, and prayer. They also have clothing and food available for those attending to take with them. The church gym is used for a weekly youth activity. This church has a very strong desire to do much more within the area but is limited by the lack of church members and volunteers to carry out additional programs and ministries.
Several of the beautiful large churches of the city have very small congregations—maybe 20 to 40 people at best and most of them elderly. Others ministering to the poorer population have had to close their doors due to lack of funds to pay the mortgage and utilities.
We have started looking around at houses in the Northern Kentucky cities of Covington and Newport. There seem to be a lot of them available but they don’t stay on the market long. We suspect that investors are buying up some of these shabby homes to refurbish and turn a profit. We won’t be able to buy until around June but we are getting a feel for the neighborhoods.
Diversity is interesting. But in the city it’s just plain out strange to us how one street can have nicer older homes (lower middle class), the next street over the houses can be trashed, and the street after that part of the historical district with its very expensive houses.
We feel called to this area and believe that we are to use our combined experiences in the areas of recovery and discipleship to walk along side the hurting no matter which of those streets they live on.
From the very beginning of our ministry in 1981, Isaiah 61:1-3 has been our foundational Scripture. Below is the devotional for Step 12 from The Life Recovery Bible.
Our Mission
BIBLE READING: Isaiah 61:1-3
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
A life set free from all addictions by the Lord is a beautiful sight to behold. When we practice these principles and share our experiences, people will see the glory of God in our life and gain hope. We know from experience the depths of suffering, affliction, and brokenness. We know the pain of being enslaved to our passions and blinded by our denial. We have endured our seasons of grieving. We can relate to those who struggle to be free. We also know that there is more to life than bondage. In Christ are healing and freedom, clarity and mercy, beauty and joy.
When Jesus came to earth he had a mission, which was expressed in these words: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, Because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come…. To all who mourn…. He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair” (Isaiah 61:1-3).
This mission has been passed on to us. Some people talk about “preaching the gospel” but may alienate those who need the Good News the most. We are in a unique position to share our experiences, our strengths, and our hope in a way that broken people can understand and receive it.
It’s all about making a difference! Not because we have to, but simply because we can. With God’s help, we can! It’s not even all that difficult. Just doing what we can—whatever we can, whenever we can, wherever we go. As we reach out and touch the lives of others, just for that moment, their world may be a little better or, who knows, their lives may be changed forever—and for eternity. Some others may be inspired or encouraged to become more than they ever dreamed possible, even if it’s just for that moment.
If nobody reaches out, nobody gets touched. Embrace the challenge. And, when you accept this challenge, lives will be changed and inspired far beyond anything you could possibly imagine. It will be like a chain reaction. You don’t have to be anyone special or significant or even the least bit “gifted.” Just be the “gift” in the hands of God to the hurting around you. God takes care of the rest and multiplies you. You can become the beginning of a gift that keeps on giving. Look at this example—starting with a young teacher….
Late 1899—Katherine Plantz left her home in Hartford, Wisconsin to help and teach the impoverished people of eastern Tennessee. In January of 1902, she and her new husband, William Nowack of Watertown, Wisconsin, opened the Ebenezer Training School for Boys.
1905—The Nowacks sold Ebenezer to the Society of Soul Winners founded by Dr. Edward O. Guerrant to begin a faith-based mission in China.
1909—Leonora Whitaker, a 19-year-old girl from Dillingham, NC attending a retreat in Montreat, NC, not far from Asheville, listened to Dr. Guerrant as he told of the work at Ebenezer and the great need for teachers. After Christmas of that same year, Leonora arrived at Ebenezer Mission where she met John Wood. They married in May of 1910 and continued at the mission until March of 1912.
1919—Eight-year-old Opal Corn, started attending the mission school and was inspired by another mission worker, Miss Frances Marston, who told all the children over and over again, “you can become anything you want to be if you’re willing to work hard and never quit.”
“Miss Marston was always giving out hope and encouragement. She told us over and over again that we could do anything we wanted to do, be anything we wanted to be. ‘Just because you’re back here in this little community, don’t you ever think you can’t become something special! God has a wonderful purpose for your life and He will put special dreams deep into your heart to help you discover His plan. Your life work is to listen to God and to do what He says. With His help you can become anything He has planned for you to become. There are two very important things for you to always remember. First, even though it is extremely important to always work hard and do your best, you cannot do these things without God’s help because they will be too big for you to accomplish. And second, you must never get ahead of God’s plan for you. If you try to make things happen on your own, you will probably end up sorry you did not wait for God to work it out in His own timing. Even though this all sounds very difficult, it’s much easier if you just remember: Talk to God everyday; listen to God everyday; and everyday do what God tells you to do. It’s all about ‘trusting’ and ‘obeying’, and then He works out all the rest and you needn’t worry about it.’ Miss Marston gave us a lot of mini-sermons like that and it always made us feel like we could accomplish anything.” (Letters to Lori, pgs. 166 & 167)
February 1927—Miss Marston died
1928—Ebenezer Mission closed.
1933—Opal started teaching in the one-room schools of Cocke County, TN, where she taught her students that they could become anything they wanted to be if they were just willing to work hard and never quit.
1933-1991—Opal “became the mission” and for the rest of her life continued to teach both in the county schools and at Ebenezer Church.
1944—Opal purchased the mission property and an adjoining home site.
1959—Catherine Marshall decided to write the novel Christy based upon her parents’ (Leonora and John Wood) experiences at Ebenezer. Opal assisted her with the community history.
1967—Christy was published and soon became a national best seller.
1971—Barbara League read Christy and set out to find Ebenezer Mission’s location. She met Opal Myers and they became friends. Later, she and her husband became ministry workers and in 1990 Barbara began researching and writing the award winning book Letters to Lori: The Family History and Stories of Opal Corn Myers.
1994-1995— Amber watched the Christy TV Series. In 1998, at age 14, she read the book, and then in 2001 attended ChristyFest. Still inspired by Christy, she is now a missionary at McDowell Mission in Welch, VA.
November 2007—Letters to Lori is published
2008—Barbara designates all the profit from Letters to Lori to benefit selected missions and ministries.
Like I said earlier, “You don’t have to be anyone special or significant or even the least bit “gifted.” Just be the “gift” in the hands of God to the hurting around you. God takes care of the rest and multiplies you. You can become the beginning of a gift that keeps on giving”. I’m probably one of the most insignificant people you could ever meet. If you did meet me you would not likely be very impressed. But, because I long ago placed my life in God’s hands, he has allowed me to be a part of some amazing things, one of which was writing the book Letters to Lori. With this book, He has given me another gift to place in his hands so that he can multiply it and others will be helped, blessed and encouraged. I have learned that I don’t have to be “someone special”. I just simply have to “be”—be aware, be willing, be available. Who knows—maybe God will allow Letters to Lori to have a chain reaction like Katherine, Leonora, Frances, Opal, and Amber.
September 10, 2008
One year ago today, my graphic designer, Steve Plummer at Bethany Press, and I were in the final stages of preparing Letters to Lori for the printing process. The cover design was a masterpiece and I could hardly wait to hold over fifteen years of work in my hand. What a day that would be!! All the hard work would be over and I could set off to complete another longtime desire—using Letters to Lori to raise funds for ministries dedicated to bringing hope and life-changing experiences into the lives of hurting people.
Little did I realize the mountain of additional hard work ahead of me! Another huge learning curve to master—and then another one. Finding ministries to work with and visiting those ministries in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee was the highlight. But then there was a fundraising campaign to design and a web site to create (and another one that still needs updating).
Although I have created several web sites, it does not come easy for me. It is very time consuming and it most definitely is not my favorite thing to do. It takes me away from activities I would much rather be doing (working with ministries & mission workers; leading small groups; being with people!; training, teaching and leading seminars; involved in Celebrate Recovery (love CR!); writing; and even answering e-mails, etc.). But, I am very excited about this site and look forward to having the “Buy A Book - Change A Life” Fundraising Campaign up and working to help ministries reach hurting people and bring eternal change to their lives. That really “floats my boat.” I guess more than anything else, I enjoy giving and helping! And especially, working with hurting people and those in ministry.
Many people probably wonder about my passion for helping ministry workers and the poor. I’ve only told a very few (2) close friends, but I guess this might be a good time to give a small glimpse of one incident to the whole World Wide Web.
Four years after starting our first ministry back in 1981, we found ourselves homeless. We had totally liquidated all of our assets to keep our residential ministry to young women open. When the doors closed, Manly went to work for one of the largest, most prosperous ministries of the 80’s. He developed and directed their residential facility for men suffering from substance abuse and addiction. There was a freeze on wages and Manly made next to nothing.
As a family (Jonathan 10, Heather 4), we lived in tents on their campgrounds from May through the end of September. It rained every day for the first 21 days we lived on that campground! I literally thought I was going to go crazy.
Then that fall some friends gave us a 1952 travel trailer (8′ x 32′) they had used as a storage building on their property and we received permission to park it next to the house where the program men lived. The trailer had no insulation and was heated by one small gas space heater. We had running water (from a spigot though a garden hose into the trailer), our electricity came through an extension cord, but we had no sewer connections. I won’t even begin to describe our living conditions. At least on the campgrounds we had a shower house within a hundred feet of our campsite. Did I mention that I was also homeschooling! It was a very difficult time and no one at all seemed to care. But, by far, the hardest thing was leaving our older son who would be finishing high school the next year and moving two hours away from him.
There were many rough, even cruel, times but over the last 27 plus years we have also seen hundreds of lives changed. Many of those “rejects of society” became pastors, evangelists, missionaries, counselors, business professionals, great moms, or dependable, hard-working blue collar laborers and most are faithful servant leaders in their home churches. God is so good! There is always HOPE with Jesus Christ as the answer.