When I think about Christmas, I think about family. And although th
ere is some added stress involved in making sure everyone gets the gift they want, working out schedules so that we can all spend time with each other, and cramming that last bit of work in before I fly home, I look forward to spending the holidays with my family. But for many of the kids I work with, spending time with family is not something they look forward to.Jessica, who I mentioned briefly in my last letter, is one of those kids.
Jessica is 14 and in grade seven. She lives in a group home here in Langley, her mom lives in Surrey, and her dad lives in Vancouver. As I said in my last letter, I don’t know all the reasons why she doesn’t live with her mom or dad, but I’m starting to learn more of the story.
She has more than ten brothers and sisters, including her twin sister who lives with her dad. She told me she is not allowed to see her dad, but can’t say why because “it’s complicated.”
Jessica will be spending Christmas with her mom in Surrey. Afterwards, she will return to Langley and spend the month of January preparing to move back in with her mom permanently.
When I asked her how she felt about that, she answered me plainly. “I think it’s sh***y.”
I usually take what Jessica says to me with a grain of salt, but this was one time when I saw truth in her eyes. She is scared. And it breaks my heart. But what breaks my heart even more is that so many people have given up on Jessica. She is a beautiful young woman, who holds so much potential, but she desperately needs someone to believe in her. Yet, I was told that even staff at the school have recently said that they don’t have any hope for her.
And Jessica is not the only one with a difficult family situation to deal with this holiday season. There is Amy, from After School Art, who told one of our staff that she lives with her dad because her mom is bi-polar. When she was asked if that was difficult for her, Amy replied, “I just don’t have time for her.” And Jeremy, whose family is just making ends meet, and whose mom is fighting breast cancer. And then Andrew and Steven, who l
ive with their aunt in Langley instead of their parents in Vancouver, but they are “not allowed to talk about it.”So during this season where family is so important, please remember Jessica, Amy, Jeremy, Andrew, Steven, and the many other kids just like them in your prayers.
We still need a volunteers, people to provide snack, prayer partners, and financial partners. If you want to get involved, you can contact me by email ( laura_solberg@telus.net
Ten is the New Fifteen
“Child development experts say that physical and behavioral changes that would have been typical of teenagers decades ago are now common among “tweens” — kids ages 8 to 12.”
I have to admit, when I first realized that I would be working with mostly younger kids (ages 10-14) here in Langley, I was a little disappointed. I’ve mostly worked with older teens (15+) in the past, and really enjoyed it, and felt like it came more naturally for me to work with them. And in the World of Youth Work in my head, working with older teens seems more glamorous, and exciting. After all, they are the ones with the “real” problems, aren’t they? I look back on that stream of thought now and laugh at myself a little.
Although I still really enjoy working with older teens, I’m starting to realize that I am exactly where I should be right now, working with the kids that I need to be.
Ten really is the new fifteen. I suppose this is something I’ve known for a while, but if there was ever in doubt in my mind, working with kids that would be considered “tweens” has definitely confirmed it for me. Things like the eleven year old girls at After School Art, singing “My Hump” by the Black Eyed Peas, and the conversations we’ve had about boyfriends and kissing leave little doubt!
I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to walk with these “tweens” during this pivitol time in their lives.
Please think of my ministry as you consider your year end giving. For your prayerful consideration, After School Art is in need of art supplies for the new year, and your financial gift would be very helpful. Thank you for considering this work and a special thank you to all of you who support my ministry.
Click HERE if you would like to make a year end gift.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
If you want to help financially with my work in Langley, please click here.
