Received the heartbreaking news that yet another young person, who grew up with our kids, has been lost. The details surrounding his death are not known to us, but given his history of drug use and homelessness, it’s probably a safe bet that it was drug related. Anita first met Bret while she was substitute teaching in the city school system. He was a relatively quiet, and well behaved young man, who was never a problem for her in class. Years later, as we helped a young homeless girl, we found that she and Bret were clinging to each other as they lived on the street, or squatted in old abandoned houses.
Every few weeks, they would contact us, and we would pick them up, feed them, let them wash their clothes, and take showers. At the end of such encounters, it was always gut wrenching to take them back, but we always made sure they had warm dry clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, tents, food… We often discussed making some sort of change, and they both expressed a sort of vague hope that things would somehow get better, but neither demonstrated any willingness to make changes to their course. They were both savvy, able bodied kids, who could have worked, but they seemed resigned to life on the streets.
Throughout the years, God has often had us reach out to people who live in these types of desperate circumstances, and if I’m honest, it’s rarely had a happy ending. We do our best to come alongside of them, love them where they’re at, get them help (if they’re willing to be helped), and try to point them toward hope. More often than not, we’ve been criticized. Some feel as though we’re wasting our time, our resources, and are needlessly exposing our family to potential danger. Others feel as though we should be doing more, like incorporating these folks into our household, and raising their drug babies as our own. For us, it is an exercise in following God’s leading; both grabbing a hold, and letting go as He directs. It’s about having His heart for people, and sharing that heart with them. And every time one falls, our heart breaks.
Our prayers persist for the young girl (Silvia), who remains on the street alone, running from the law, and (last we heard) pregnant with Bret’s child. She is not beyond God’s reach, but He will not take away her ability to choose the path she takes. Though we cannot reach her, we will carry her to Him in prayer. Please join us as you feel led to.
Read Full Post »
Bjcorbin's Blog 
Hopeless Causes
Posted in Commentaries, tagged adiction, drug related, heartbreak, homeless on June 15, 2023| 2 Comments »
Received the heartbreaking news that yet another young person, who grew up with our kids, has been lost. The details surrounding his death are not known to us, but given his history of drug use and homelessness, it’s probably a safe bet that it was drug related. Anita first met Bret while she was substitute teaching in the city school system. He was a relatively quiet, and well behaved young man, who was never a problem for her in class. Years later, as we helped a young homeless girl, we found that she and Bret were clinging to each other as they lived on the street, or squatted in old abandoned houses.
Every few weeks, they would contact us, and we would pick them up, feed them, let them wash their clothes, and take showers. At the end of such encounters, it was always gut wrenching to take them back, but we always made sure they had warm dry clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, tents, food… We often discussed making some sort of change, and they both expressed a sort of vague hope that things would somehow get better, but neither demonstrated any willingness to make changes to their course. They were both savvy, able bodied kids, who could have worked, but they seemed resigned to life on the streets.
Throughout the years, God has often had us reach out to people who live in these types of desperate circumstances, and if I’m honest, it’s rarely had a happy ending. We do our best to come alongside of them, love them where they’re at, get them help (if they’re willing to be helped), and try to point them toward hope. More often than not, we’ve been criticized. Some feel as though we’re wasting our time, our resources, and are needlessly exposing our family to potential danger. Others feel as though we should be doing more, like incorporating these folks into our household, and raising their drug babies as our own. For us, it is an exercise in following God’s leading; both grabbing a hold, and letting go as He directs. It’s about having His heart for people, and sharing that heart with them. And every time one falls, our heart breaks.
Our prayers persist for the young girl (Silvia), who remains on the street alone, running from the law, and (last we heard) pregnant with Bret’s child. She is not beyond God’s reach, but He will not take away her ability to choose the path she takes. Though we cannot reach her, we will carry her to Him in prayer. Please join us as you feel led to.
Rate this:
Read Full Post »