"Got a smoke?"
I spent the afternoon yesterday at one of our local Indian reserves. It was very informative, very encouraging yet very sad.
One of the teens I have been investing in over the last couple of years is Shelby. Shelby comes from a very challenging situation. Her mom has been in and out of drug rehab many times and is still battling her drug addiction. Her dad died in a car accident when she was 10 and her brother died in a car accident two and a half years ago, she is just 14 years old.
We had a great time just talking along with two young guys who were hanging out. It was amazing to hear the conversations, especially the insight these teens had. Here are some things they talked about.
1. They are glad that there is a methadone clinic opening on the reserve to help all those addicted to drugs, which is probably 90% of the people. Unfortunately the clinic can only handle five new people a month and there are hundreds in need.
2. They have nothing to do all day long. They say that is one of the main reasons people get into trouble and drugs.
3. The first thing people say to each other on reserve is "got a smoke?" It is how they initiate a conversation.
4. They are fed up with the illegal drugs and cigarettes being distributed all around them. In fact as we stood on the road between two drug dealers homes these teens talked to those going to buy drugs and told these buyers to stop wasting their lives and get help.
5. They admitted that they all need help and are tired of the depressing scene all around them.
6. Prostitution has now come to the reserve. They told me of four young girls who have been recruited to sell their bodies in order to earn money to support their habit and the person who hired them. Yesterday they pointed out two of the four to me and they are under 17 years old. It is disgusting.
Normally when I go on reserve I stay for an hour or so, yesterday was different. After being there for about two hours, I told the three teens that I was free for another hour or so and that I was happy to hang out with them for another hour if they wanted or I could go then. They said "no please stay as long as you can we are having fun." I feel like being able to listen and accepting them for who they are is so important.
Please pray for Shelby, Alex and Gideon.
One of the teens I have been investing in over the last couple of years is Shelby. Shelby comes from a very challenging situation. Her mom has been in and out of drug rehab many times and is still battling her drug addiction. Her dad died in a car accident when she was 10 and her brother died in a car accident two and a half years ago, she is just 14 years old.
We had a great time just talking along with two young guys who were hanging out. It was amazing to hear the conversations, especially the insight these teens had. Here are some things they talked about.
1. They are glad that there is a methadone clinic opening on the reserve to help all those addicted to drugs, which is probably 90% of the people. Unfortunately the clinic can only handle five new people a month and there are hundreds in need.
2. They have nothing to do all day long. They say that is one of the main reasons people get into trouble and drugs.
3. The first thing people say to each other on reserve is "got a smoke?" It is how they initiate a conversation.
4. They are fed up with the illegal drugs and cigarettes being distributed all around them. In fact as we stood on the road between two drug dealers homes these teens talked to those going to buy drugs and told these buyers to stop wasting their lives and get help.
5. They admitted that they all need help and are tired of the depressing scene all around them.
6. Prostitution has now come to the reserve. They told me of four young girls who have been recruited to sell their bodies in order to earn money to support their habit and the person who hired them. Yesterday they pointed out two of the four to me and they are under 17 years old. It is disgusting.
Normally when I go on reserve I stay for an hour or so, yesterday was different. After being there for about two hours, I told the three teens that I was free for another hour or so and that I was happy to hang out with them for another hour if they wanted or I could go then. They said "no please stay as long as you can we are having fun." I feel like being able to listen and accepting them for who they are is so important.
Please pray for Shelby, Alex and Gideon.
posted by s.d.w. at 5:08 AM
1 Comments:
Scott - thanks for the update on Shelby and the others on reserve. Did you hear about the First Nations girl in Montreal that accepted Christ? I thought of you and your heart for those people....keep it up. Praying for you!
Post a Comment
<< Home