From the Desk of Jill Keenon, Operations Director:
Last week one of the saddest things happened. A girl, now a young woman, who had lived with us for about two years, about six years ago, was pleasant in the house, but you couldn't trust her about anything she said or did. She was always doing destructive behavior to herself, and she pulled others along with her. She had her own family but it was a mess and not good for her to go back to. At eighteen she chose to do that anyway and within the week they kicked her out on the street.
Fast forward six years -she has three children, and a divorce. Then she had her ex-husband deported and now she lives with her fiancé. She has worked very hard to learn why she has behaved this way, and the changes are evident. She came into town and wanted to get together. The honest truth is that we were not very excited to go. Paul was truly unable to go because of previous plans, and I was tempted to cancel. Somehow I knew that would be wrong, and I had better go. She looked great, her children were adorable and well-behaved and we had a great time. At the end of the conversation she wanted to ask me something.
She started to tear up and asked what was wrong with her that we did not adopt her but did adopt two of the other girls she got in trouble with. She said she thinks about it all the time. My heart broke for her. In her face you could see the precious little child she was, and I want so desperately to heal her hurts. Of course, I explained things and told her "we could be her family whenever she wanted." This is not the first foster child who has come back to us wondering this. PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL THE CHILDREN, WHO ARE NOW ADULTS THAT ARE HURTING JUST TO BE LOVED FOR WHO THEY ARE.
I feel like crying as I write this. Life is so hard but it can be so good if you know you are loved, staring with Jesus, then real humans. (PS from Paul these souls are why we started Open Door sixteen years ago and why we persevere. We are now working with this age of women to follow the 'trail of tears' to the Lord. Who will love all these forgotten woman who not long ago were our children?)
COLOMA PLACE:
This weekend is the big open house. The house is shaping up nicely.
- Pray for us to get everything set up and done and for a buyer for the home.
- Pray for healing of the neighborhood.
QUICKS BOYS HOME:
- Pat is doing pretty well right now. Please pray for him to be honest deep inside himself not just outward and for him to get some good friends.
- Two ten year old boys who are unrelated are in the wings to see if they are coming to this home. Pray for God's hand on how this should play out.
- As usual continue to pray for the situation with the baby. For God to be in the center of all that transpires in this situation and for Him to stop anything that is not His will.
KEENON HOME:
- Melissa is still in the hospital and started her ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy) yesterday and did well. Her jaw is hurting but she seemed okay. Pray for all the details to come about for this whole plan for her with ECT and the stimulator they are going to put in next month. Also, for insurance to pay for it. Pray for healing.
- Margie left for a job interview at 3:30 am. It is a temporary, part time position just to make some more money during the holiday season at FedEx. Pray for her to know if this is the right thing or not. She is very goal oriented. It is so exciting to see her be an answer to our prayers all these years.
- Pray for Matt and Joel as they work and go to school. That they will not forget their relationship with Jesus in the busy-ness of life.
Enjoy each moment today because Jesus gave it to you.
In Christ's Service for the Community,
Paul & Jill Keenon
Open Door for Teens, Inc.
