We recently took our boys to a nearby lake for some fishing where I happened to capture this photo of Leo. Leo lives with the Cooper Family in the James House as a part of The Hope Program. Just like my boys he is getting ready to graduate from Secundaria (middle school) and will start Prepa (high school) in the fall. When I look at this photo I can’t help but think about my boys, in fact all the students in the Hope Program. To me this photo represents this season of their lives.
Leo on the fishing trip
Leo is standing on a rickety dock about fifty feet from shore. Overhead is a makeshift covering. Nothing fancy but it protects the two boats underneath from the occasional rain and the intense sun exposure. This is where our students stand: on a rickety dock with some makeshift shelter overhead. It’s not the best they could have, but it is some shelter. And what lies ahead of them is a like a lake and a series of mountains. I think it’s a mix of emotions for them. All they know is this makeshift dock and for some it’s even better shelter from where they’ve come. But it’s all they know.
I wonder . . . do they have a sense of longing when they see those mountains? Do they think I could have that, I can go there. I can leave this rickety old dock and scale a mountain? Truly I think they have more fear. They believe the lies they’ve heard or told themselves I can’t do it. I don’t have what it takes. I should just stay here. I think they look with a sense of longing for something more but it’s often overtaken with a sense of sadness and defeat. They think I want it, but I can’t do it.
This summer our theme is SHELTER. Would you join us in praying for our students in the Hope Program? Please pray that God would show Himself to them and that they would have hope. In the Hope Program they are given opportunities through education but for many it seems like that far off mountain is unreachable or unattainable. Pray for their journeys as they learn how to step away from the hurts of their past and stop believing that they have nothing to contribute. Please pray for their courage to step out from their old, rickety, makeshift shelters and find true shelter in Him.