Meet a Boy.

Not sure why I haven't done this sooner. But I'd like you to start meeting some of the amazing boys in my life. ..Lets clarify that---the boys I work with at the centres. If you get my newsletter you'll see this again there. :)

This is Kubri. (Not his real name because we’re not supposed to use their real names). He is about 7 years old. (Though he’ll tell you he’s 11). I met him last summer while we were running the drop in center. He was the youngest boy there. Super cute, clever, and ornery with a big ol’ attitude. Also very quick to get upset and lose his temper. He was also very addicted to the glue that nearly all of the kids that live on the street sniff. Once the drop in center finished and we took in new boys to the live-in center he joined. He stayed for about 2 days and ran away. The teachers would find him on the streets a few days later and bring him back. He would stay for a few days and then run away again. And be brought back. Then run away again. This cycle kept up for a while. There was one time where a few of the young street girls came by (as the staff knows them and will let them in to get some food and sleep from time to time as long as they don’t have any glue with them), and snuck in some glue, gave it to Kubri, and then they all ran off together. It’s hard to see that. But there was a turning point. At the end of Ramadan last year when there was a break from school one of the young married guys on staff took Kubri to come stay with him for the break. So Kubri lived with him and his wife for a week. He came back full of pride at getting to stay with the teacher. Even bragged about how his toothbrush was still there. Since then he hasn’t run away. His temper has calmed down considerably. He is one of the brightest boys in the class and is always asking me how to say different things in English. He still gets upset sometimes and gets frustrated very easily when we work on something that is new and he doesn't understand right away. He is one of the few boys that have absolutely no family or connections that we know of. He’s not exactly sure how old he is, has no recollection of his mother or family because he has lived on the streets for as long as he can remember. But glory to God, not anymore! He has found a home and knows how it feels to be loved. His potential is being acknowledged and utilized. Rescued from a life on the streets.

What a privilege to see.