~ Psalm 119:103
Hello!
Mike and I want to thank you for your prayers. Our trip "in" last night was better than the last! Before we even made it all the way onto the unit, some of the boys left their soccer game to greet us. They were immediately thanking us for sending them postcards after the visit. They are starving for attention and communication and this seemed to have touched them.
Mike counted the number of boys - we had 17 - and passed out the cookie boxes, letting them know they could each have 3 cookies. There were chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies. As the boys were passing the boxes around, Mike talked to them about cookie knowledge (grin). He said these cookies are soft, chewy, fresh baked and smell really good. He told them this was knowledge... and he said he could take the cookies home at that point, but they wouldn't have been able to experience the cookies. There were some chuckles at the thought of talking about cookies and not getting to eat them. Then Mike told them that we can share lots of knowledge with them about God, but that we want them to experience God themselves. It was such a simple message, but they were silent. It was a beautiful thing.
We proceeded with the conversation and asked them how they decide right from wrong. I asked Anthony to answer first. His response was that he didn't understand the question. I did my best to explain the question. Almost every one of the boys said that it was trial and error to decide right and wrong. No one had taught them. No one had guided them. Scott was almost the last one to answer, and he said, "My dad taught me the bad stuff... and his fiancée taught me the good stuff." What a strong and sad statement.
We then chatted about learning things from people around you, choosing carefully who you want to learn from; and realizing that people around you are learning from you also. I asked them to think about what they are teaching others. The conversation went very well, but the boys were a little more rambunctious than they had been during the last visit. When I mentioned that before we left, they said, "You brought the cookies!" NOTE TO SELF: Take popcorn next time... no sugar!!
We had 3 cookies left at the end. I gave one to Steven - he hadn't received a postcard even though it was sent. I had his ID # wrong on my sheet. I gave him an extra cookie, apologized profusely and told him I would send 2 postcards before we return. Anthony quickly came forward and said, "I think I should get another cookie just because my name is Anthony!" I told him he'd have to come up with something better than that if he wanted another cookie. At 19, he went and sat down and deeply pondered what would convince me to give him another cookie. He stood up and said, "I've got it!" He then asked me if he could recite a couple verses from Psalms. I was so stunned that I don't even remember the chapter or verse. I quickly said, "Of course!" He recited the verses and I was still speechless. "Well done, Anthony! But you don't get the cookie until you tell me what that means to you." "It means I need to not go with those who are wicked or bad, because they do bad things." "HAVE A COOKIE!"
As I think about it, I'm still in awe. Of all the young men in the group, I never would have imagined that Anthony would be quoting scripture. It was awesome!!! I'll be sure to write down chapter and verse next time!!
We closed in prayer, and all the boys prayed aloud once again. Almost all of them thank God for the strength to get through the day.
We will return July 22.
Blessings,
Susie
Prayer Requests:
- Lazaro - will be released on Tuesday and is going to MATFA's transitional housing in Long Beach. This is only a few miles from our house and we will be able to support him on the outside.
- Kyle #1 - wants to be able to stay at the Youth Authority as long as possible before going to the penitentiary to serve out his sentence.
- Kyle #2 - has an infection in his foot.
- Jose - Dad visited again, but won't be able to come back for at least 2 months.
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