So it happened again, but was a lot worse tonight. I really don't know what to do.
The same boy turned up to youth, to ask if he could come tonight. When I explained to him that couldn't, for the obvious reasons of course, he got really angry and began pushing me. Pushing me hard, my back's a little sore. After I wasn't retaliating he started spitting in my face. Boy that's fun, I can tell ya (sad thing is it's happened before from other kids). Spitting in my face, and pushing me, and I just gotta stand there and take it.
What do I do? Seriously, I've got no idea. Next Monday he's probably gonna rock up to Oz tag, and if he does it again (or worse) I have no idea how to handle the situation other than make sure I don't touch him. I do have a few ideas, just not really sure if they'll work.
The other thing that I can't work out in this situation, is how do I show him the grace and love of Jesus but at the same time communicate that what he is doing is just not on.
Meh. Please pray for this kid. I love these guys, and I love this area, and if it was God's plan for me to stay here and tell these kids about Jesus for the rest of my life I'd be rejoicing. But I'm really at a loss and it's quite hard. Youth group was terrible tonight, so bad that we've called it off for next week. We didn't even get to reading our Bibles.
I'm glad Jesus loves these kids. Even though it's been a bit hard lately I know they know that and I know they know it from hearing it from the Bible over the past couple of years. God's word will achieve what it wants, and maybe 30 years down the track while sitting in prison it'll click for them. Hopefully sooner.
I feel the dark and unfashionable shadow of the right wing hovering over our
house.
-
Today Orison chose to wear short jeans, cowboy boots, and a T-Shirt
featuring the American flag and lyrics for “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
5 hours ago
4 comments:
we're praying for you. that's pretty tough stuff. I'm doing a bible study with a couple of locals. they're tops but it's pretty tricky- no fights yet (there are only two of them). keep up the work and don't give up on love or discipline!
flip mate, that's getting more than tricky. re: oztag - i'm assuming it's in a public park or something right? probably not a whole lot you can do but call it off if it starts getting hairy...
man, i'm sorry to hear this eh. praying for the boy tonight.
m.
Thanks boys
Lachie, that's awesome. We should sit down and talk about it sometime, braqinstorm some ideas. The best Bible studies I've had have been when there are only two of them. I think you're on to something.
Also, sars and I are thinking of beach mission this year at Old Bar again. you still involved?
Mark, it's a public park, yeah. The kids just come down and ask to play.
My idea is that if he comes and causes trouble, we'll just stop the footy, and hopefully that'll make all the other boys get narky with him.
The upsetting thing is both times they've seen it all happen, and I've just stood there and took it. I have a feeling to them it must look weak, and they may lose respect.
Hi Geoff
We've had a similar problem at Church recently, though ours has esculated to the point where there was a punch up at the front of Church at our 7pm service and a couple of arrests. If you'd like to chat about how we're handling it, you know where to find me :)
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