I’ve alluded to this a couple of times, but I’ll say it outright today….it’s been a rough couple of weeks in the house. Nothing unusual mind you. Typical living-with-eight-teenage-ex-street-kids kind of stuff. Each situation taken individually probably wouldn’t have been much of a problem. It’s just that everything came down at the same time. The funny thing is, I had just commented to one of the guys how much I was appreciating the atmosphere in the house…just very peaceful and fun.

But then imagine a big pallet of bricks crashing down. For two weeks it was one thing after another. Every day was a different crisis. For most of the guys, their problem only lasted a couple of days and then they were back to normal. But for me, it was on to the next issue. It just got to be too much. Plus I live in the house with the guys, so it’s not exactly possible to go home at the end of the day and leave the issues at the office.

Last weekend I decided it was time for a break. I made arrangements for some people from my church to cover me and stay at the house…and I took off for a little hotel I know. That’s one of the nice things here…those sorts of things (hotels, restaurants, etc) are pretty cheap. So I’ve been enjoying cable tv in English and laying around reading by the pool. I also like the fact that when I leave and come back, the room’s clean and my bed is made. I’ve spent more than a little time this week, trying to figure out how I can make that work when I get back to my normal life.

Anyhow, tomorrow it’s back to reality. I’m mostly feeling better. Unfortunately I have a couple of difficult situations that still have to be dealt with. One, especially, is going to be tough. I’m not sure what the outcome will be. But I could use your prayers for wisdom and patience.

I also need to make some other changes in the house too. For sure, this has been a year of learning… figuring out what works and what doesn’t. Some things that aren’t working, now need to be adjusted. You can pray that I have the words to explain these things to the guys, and that they have the wisdom and understanding to work with me, to make these changes.

In the midst of all of this, I still see God at work. I’m not a big advocate of the whole “open your Bible and point to a verse” kind of hearing from God. But sometimes that seems to happen. Last Sunday I was especially feeling the stress, so I slipped out during the service. I just spent a bit of time praying and reading my Bible. I started flipping through different books in the Old Testament, thinking about where I’d start reading, and I basically just opened up to II Chronicles 20. Not sure I remember the last time I was reading in Chronicles, but this is the first thing I saw…

“For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

So I backed up to read the rest of the story. Judah was being attacked by three different armies, and the people knew they couldn’t win on their own. So the King gathered all the people together to pray…

Those words really spoke to me. This is not my battle…it’s God’s. He’s begun a work in these guys, and He will continue that work. Absolutely, a spiritual battle rages here. I wish I could say that I’m always strong and prepared…but I’m not. I do know, however, that God has already given me (and the guys I work with) victory. As I go back tomorrow, I’m mostly feeling God’s peace. I wish I could say completely, but I’m not quite there yet. But certainly things are better and I’m looking forward to seeing the guys and getting back into the thick of it. As I said earlier though, I definitely covet your prayers right now. We need God’s protection and peace in the house…a sense of His presence and joy…and a continuing understanding of His faithfulness.

“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.”