The Urgency of it All

I have had the last two years to consider it...and after much thought I have come to the conclusion that one of life´s toughest seasons has to be the one we go through between the ages of 15 to 20. How would I know this? First of all I do remember...it has not been THAT long. But secondly because God has given us the past two years to live with, care for, observe, and parent 8 young men, passing through this season of their life.

They are passing through an important character-forming stage of life, while at the same time they are "catching up", if you will, on much of the teaching that children typically receive between the ages of 4 and 10. They are still learning such things as how to say thank you, and please, and asking permision before leaving the house, and cleaning up your own mess.

Then in addition to all these normal life skills stuff that we usually learn as children, they are passing through adolescence and becoming young men. They are developing a sense of right from wrong, a sense of what is socially appropriate, they are deciding how to chose friends, what is important in a girlfriend, what boundaries to draw when it comes to various relationships in their lives, who God is and whether or not they will choose to follow Him. In a nutshell they are forming ideas and habits that will affect the rest of their life - and they are on the brink of becoming adults.

Sometimes, the reality of ALL of that is overwhelming. Realizing that God has brought these young men to us for such a short season, a difficult season, of their lives. And realizing that we have very little time to make up for a lot of time that has been lost.

I feel the urgency. The time is short. Their lives are priceless. God has moved heaven and earth to bring them to where they are - and we must be constantly aware of our calling, our responsibility, and the part that He has for us to play during this season.

Thanks for joining us in prayer for these 8 young men - and for all the wisdom, grace, and love we need to be the parents God is calling us to be to each one of them.

Food for a Day

If you have a family you likely know the reality of living on a budget. You know how much you spend on utilities, on gasoline, and how much you'll spend on groceries for the month – but have you ever figured out how much money it takes to feed yourself or each of your children for one day?

Here in Back2Back's Hope Program, we too of course live on a budget. As teen home parents of the James House my wife, Julie, and I have the challenging job of feeding eight teenage boys. With the budget we're allotted each month it figures out that we can spend about $4 (US) a day on each of our boys for their food. If you have teenage boys…you know THEY CAN EAT, and you know that $4 suddenly doesn't sound like very much money. Our boys like to eat, and they like to eat a lot, but with as much as they enjoy eating, it certainly does not mean that they are always grateful for what we have to eat, nor do they always appreciate the value of what it is they're consuming.

Recently, after a series of days filled with what I felt to be insensitive comments about what there was to eat and drink in the house, and after a general disrespect for some of our kitchen rules I decided it was time for a lesson.

So, just before bedtime I set all eight boys down for a few quick comments about respect for authority, and gratefulness for what we have – and then I handed them each $4. I explained that they could use any of their personal money they wanted, but that for the next 24 hours this was all we were contributing towards their food. I graciously gave them the option of eating at school, at local street vendors, at 7-Eleven, or wherever they pleased – but if they wanted to eat the food in our house they would have to "buy it" from us. The looks on their faces were priceless – they all immediately "got it". I almost think I could have stopped the lesson right there, and had them hand their money back in…but I think they would have missed a large part of the lesson. The next 24 hours were no doubt long for them as they had to think about budgeting, and stretching their $4 to make it last all the way through dinner – but I honestly think the larger lesson was on gratefulness and appreciation. A lesson I hope and pray they will remember for the rest of their lives.

'Twas The Night Before Summer

'Twas the night before summer for the Back2Back staff,

Spent the day training interns, and we had a few laughs.

Our first groups come tomorrow, from all through the land,

We're hopeful this mighty great heat they'll withstand.

New pictures are hung, and a few banners too,

With hopes that our vision will come shining through.

Care for Today, and Hope for Tomorrow,

Saving hundreds of children from their lives filled with sorrow.

The interns are nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of group members dance in their heads.

Now I in my jammies, and Julie is too,

Just thinkin' about the great things God will do.

When out on the staircase there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from sleep to see what was the matter.

Whispers, and talking, accompanied by knocking,

I knew what was coming, it wouldn't be shocking.

But what to my half-sleeping eyes should I see,

But eight hungry teenagers looking for me.

"We're starving, we're bored, the internets down,

Will you take us for tacos, or out on the town?"

I spoke not a word, yet my message was clear,

It's too late for you all to be coming up here.

And patting them each gently on the head,

I gave them a nod and I sent them to bed.

Now Omar! Now Ruben! Now Marcos, Eduardo!

On Saul, on Oscar, on Samuel and Leo.

From the top of the stairs, to your beds down below,

I declare it now bedtime, it's time that you go.

They ran down the stairs, and out of my sight,

Springing into their beds, tucked away for the night.

And they heard me exclaim as they all went to sleep,

Tomorrow is summer, make not one more peep.

A Night Out With The Guys

In the humdrum of our day-to-day life it can be easy to get caught up in the seemingly endless tasks.  You know...school, chores, laundry, cooking, discipline....some cleaning, more cooking...you get the drill.  As a couple we have found it crucial to separate times out to JUST HAVE FUN with our boys.  It helps us connect with them, it helps them connect with us, it helps us all relax, it allows us to laugh together, it allows us to appreciate one another, and then the bonus is that it allows us to make so really great memories together!

We recently had the chance to make some memories together thanks to someone's generosity who donated money specifically for us to "go out and have fun together".  The two of us took seven of our boys out for a full night of having fun!  We first enjoyed a televised soccer game one cable TV while eating at our favorite hot wing place.  Then we satisfied our sweet tooth with a quick visit to Dairy Queen.  Lastly, we finished up the night with a few rounds of billiards at a local bowling alley.

We ALL had a really good time - and can't wait for the chance to go out again!