Katie’s Story
Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 by
It was a simple comment that Katie made. “It’s not a good day.” But it stuck with me. I could tell from our short exchange that something was going on in her life. Possibly small, but maybe big. Was it possible her comment was her attempt to have someone, anyone, go deeper and ask her for more information?
After Campus Life on that Wednesday morning at Katie’s school, I discovered that one of our leaders had set an appointment with Katie. They had had a similar conversation that led to our leader asking if she wanted to hang out together. Later that week they had set a time to meet and talk about what was going on in her life. After a phone call to get Katie’s mom approval, our leader picked her up from school and they headed off to a local coffee shop to spend time together.
The location had been selected because Katie had never been there before. Our leader began to understand how big a deal it was for Katie to “hang out” at a place students would label as cool. They placed their orders. Interestingly Katie ordered the exact same items as our leader. The conversation started slowly but before long Katie seemingly poured out her entire story. Divorced parents. She doesn’t get along with her stepmom. The conflict has been so bad it has actually led to abrupt endings of vacations. Katie and her mom no longer attend church because of the “drama” that took place. And Katie has been the victim of some very real online bullying. Sadly these things would describe many of our kids.
The conversation moved so fast the time quickly evaporated. Our leader took Katie home and got a firsthand glimpse of the life she faces. A less than friendly family made it clear that home life has its challenges. Our leader received no “hello” or “thank you” from mom or stepdad. Instead, she just got glares and perplexed looks.
This is YFC ministry. Stepping into the messy lives of kids. Listening. Sharing. Caring. Sometimes we see hope immediately flood a student’s life. It’s amazing what a single friend can do to a teenager’s outlook. But other times the progress is slow. Two steps forward and one step back. In the midst of these ups and downs, we introduce young people to a Savior that changes everything. One hundred sixty-one young people have been introduced to Christ this year. We celebrate this great news with you, our partners. Katie is still on that journey, as are many of her friends.
As I write to you I am aware of a young girl who has just discovered she is pregnant, a student who recently attempted suicide, one student has a brother locked up at the juvenile detention center and a young man who is experiencing loneliness at a depth I can barely grasp. It is into these lives we deliver the love of Christ. And by “we” I mean you and me. YFC does not reach these kids unless you our faithful partners, respond to the call of God to invest into the lives of lost and hurting young people.
Thank you for a great 2017-18 ministry year. God has an even greater impact in store for us as He adds leaders to our team. Please keep Katie and the other youth we reach in your prayers.