Too Young to Fight

Dear Church,

I recently staffed at a camp called The Pilgrimage to Uluru, led by a group called Fusion, whose motto is "Build people up, help people grow, because people matter".  On this trip, I traveled with 30+ jr. high and high school students on a bus for 11 days from Victoria to Uluru and back.  The student demographic was mixed, but many of the students came from situations that are "less than ideal" at best. 

Jake's grandma was a part of the "Stolen Generation" of Aboriginals taken from their families and given to white parents.  He experiences racism at school because he isn't white.  On the trip, Jake quickly became one of our strongest role models.  People looked up to him, and he set an example of cooperation and team spirit. 

Steven's grandma was also a part of the "Stolen Generation".  His mom has cancer and is unable to take care of him, so he lives with his sister.  He has white and Aboriginal blood, so he doesn't fit in on either side.  He gets made fun of at work, school, and on the sports field.  He also emerged as one of the leaders on the trip, quick to help when there was work to be done, and encouraging toward others.

Crystal's family history is one I can't keep track of.  The blue eyes set on her fair face sparkle just like her name.  She looks like she could be 12, but she's 19.  She gets the jitters when she doesn't get that nicotine fix.  She probably knows all the things smoking can do to you, but in a situation like hers, it's not a surprise she goes for the fix anyway.  When she was telling her story to the group, it was almost too much.  A brother lost in a car accident.  A fiancee lost.  Several miscarriages.  A broken family.  On the way home, we were talking about Halloween and she said she usually takes her siblings trick or treating.  She has the 3 year old on one hip, the 4 on the other, and the baby strapped to her back.  The neighbors give them candy, and they give Crystal a cigarette and a beer.  She said you need it after putting up with the kids all night. 

These are just a few of the young people I met on this trip.  I could tell you more stories about teenagers who feel like no one in the world understands them, or no one thinks they're really capable of much.  If they were adults in their 30s, you could easily say that it's their fault they didn't try hard in school or they are able to fix their problems because they're adults.  These kids were born into these problems.  They didn't have a choice to be born into a different family with a different income or different addictions.  They're too young to fight things or know how to begin to repair broken relationships or set a good foundation for future relationships.  Their first impressions are already tainted because of where they come from.

Before you start digging out your checkbook, or Googling a list of non-profits geared towards youth, let me tell you something else I learned on this trip.  They don't need your handouts as much as they need your hands and hearts.  They need wise mentors who believe in them and spend time teaching them about life.  They need your love.  I can promise you it won't be easy.  Human growth is slow and sometimes stunted by circumstances.  If you treat it like charity, they will resent you.  They might not say thank you until 20 years later when they're raising their own kids.  That's beside the point, Church.  VBS is nice, but it only lasts a week.  If you want to be at the real heart of the action and the real action of the heart, be a mentor.  You don't need a degree in sociology or counseling or have lots of experience.  Just show up.  Be a good example.  Share the Love. 

Much love from the fourth pew and beyond,

Little Miss Sunshine