Walking through the front lobby of the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC), a juvenile waved and said hi to me. She asked, “Do you remember me?.” I needed her help with her name, but then memories filled my mind. I hadn’t seen her since February, when she was released. I asked her what was helping her to maintain her freedom. Her list included her new (foster) family’s support. She remembered that prayer helped while she was detained too. Mike, our other Chaplain at the JJC, and I had multiple opportunities to pray with her while she was at the JJC. “Are you going to church now, too?,” I asked her. Her foster grandmother spoke up and said that they do have a church, but they haven’t been able to go recently due to the continuous occurrence of personal matters. I then turned to the teen girl for a few words of encouragement. I mentioned to her that it sounded like she was on a path of personal success and headed towards a time of spiritual growth. When I asked if she knew about Psalm119:105, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” she answered, “No ma’am, I don’t really know the Bible. I don’t have one.” By the end of the conversation, she was walking out of the building with her own Bible from us. Her foster family was also given one for their youngest biological child, who had accompanied them that day. On this day, my faith grew. I love that I get to be a Chaplain. Chaplain Kristi’s story is one of many that speak to the impact of our Father’s love on the hearts of everyone. Chaplains can provide comfort, hope, and the Lord’s love to teens that may not have otherwise had the opportunity to receive. Your support, during our Chaplaincy campaign, allows Chaplains Kristi, Mike, and Scott to continue to share our Lord’s love with teens and families who may need support and someone to tell them that they believe in them. Our mission starts here; providing a foundation of love and faith to inspire a safe, loving home environment for their family for generations to come. Please click the button below to donate to our Chaplaincy campaign. Your donation will allow us to keep providing our Chaplaincy services to teens and families that desperately need someone to be a light for them during their hardest trials. We greatly appreciate you taking your time to read Kristi’s story and for your continued support.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
NewDay ServicesArchives
May 2024
|