Social Networking DOES Have It's Benefits

I know I already wrote one post today, but since Lincoln's sleeping most of the day, and it's snowing outside, I thought I wold take this moment to update one more thing that's been on my mind...

I title the post this way because I can't count the number of times I've heard social networking slammed and ridiculed by many people (usually older generations) saying it's nothing a path to unrighteousness and allowing all sorts of evil to filter into lives (really? come on). I personally find it quite useful and a way for my friends, who are literally scattered all over the country, and I to stay connected and involved in each others lives through daily updates and pictures, where we might not have the opportunity otherwise. A few years ago, when I lead a group of girls on a mission trip to the Ukraine, we were low on funds and some people found out about our trip through Facebook, were touched by what God was doing, and helped us out financially. A true blessing.

Here recently (the reason for this post), I received a message from a kid, we'll call him Joe for the sake of anonymity (and that I don't have permission to use his name), on my Myspace account - which I rarely check, but just happened to the other day.

Back story - When I lived in California, I worked at a place for kids that were wards of the state and had no legal ties to any of their families. They had failed MANY foster placements before being placed in my specific facility - a.k.a. "kid jail", "hell-on-earth", "if-you're-bad-enough-to-come-here-you-have-no-hope-in-life"...fun place. I started working here cause I thought I could make a difference. Oh my little full-of-hope heart :) The problems these kids faced and experienced in their lies were like none I had ever seen, much less even heard of. Even now, after being in this field for many years, I still haven't seen things like I saw those few years of working there. I worked in the boy's side, kids 8-12. I had my heart strings snagged, patience tested, emotions checked, maturity levels forced to increase, and ultimately, my faith and endurance rung through fire.

During this time, I met Joe. He was an 8 year old, tiny little Hispanic boy that arrived his first day at this place during my shift. I walked into his room as he was unpacking his things to welcome him and introduce myself. Instead of the return introduction, I received, "F*** you! Get out of my F***ing room! This place F****ing sucks *#@*##*@@@**##....!!!!"
I smile to myself because I know I was stupid to really expect anything other than what I got. Then I say to myself "I'll try again tomorrow."

And I did.
And I got the same response.
But I kept trying.
And trying...and then tried some more.

Eventually, I gained a slither of Joe's trust, and it was one night when he started asking me about my faith in God. He asked, so I talked...and these talks turned into nightly talks. Staff had to sit outside each room while the kids fell asleep (to make sure nothing bad happened), and Joe always wanted me outside of his so we could have our talks. My relationship with Joe grew a little each week as he slowly began to let his guard down.

In fall 2004, I was accepted into a PH.D. program that monopolized 90% of my time, including time I would need for a job. So I had to quit. My last day on the job, after prayer and consideration, I truly felt God still wanted me to stay involved in Joe's life. It was an overriding push I couldn't ignore, and I pursued the possibility of being a volunteer mentor for Joe. After talking to case workers and personnel at the place I worked, it worked out to where I became Joe's mentor and got to have weekly visits with Joe.

Every Saturday, I came and picked him up and we did different activities together. Regardless of what activity, we always ate at In-and-Out - Joe's favorite. Joe's behaviors started to improve in his placement over the next year and he was able to move to a group home (only few people improve to make this step)...our visits continued for the year and at the end of the year, Joe had made enough improvements to continue in public school (the only kid in this placement to get to go to public school), and was set to graduate from elementary school.

He was excited for the graduation and the possibility that his mother and brother might even come. Of course I went to the graduation, and he was even awarded in front of the entire school for greatest accomplishment and most improved! I was so proud...but after it was over, quickly realized I was the only one there to see him...no family...no friends. The kid literally had no one.

Shortly after, I moved to Arkansas. It's been five years and I still to this day think about how Joe is doing and pray for him continually. I even tried to get in touch with him through his case worker a few years ago with little success because of HIPPA laws and such.

Then, a few days ago, in my Myspace inbox, was a message...from Joe. My heart stopped. My eyes welled. He gave his number and wanted me to call him. He would later tell me a few days after, that when I responded to him, he cried, and that he had no idea why, but he cried. Joe will be 16 soon...last time I heard from him, he was 11. He told me just the other night that he has lost touch with everyone's who's tried to help him in his life, but he doesn't want to do that anymore. He asked if I still "pray for everything"...after my response of "of course", he asked that I continue to pray for him.
You bet I will. It's good to have Joe back in my life. I've always said he was inspiration for why I do what I do. During those years of working at that place, I contemplated whether or not working with kids with mental health issues and rough pasts is really what I wanted to do. It was so hard and exhausting with little to none rewards. Yet God placed it on my heart. Something I can't ignore. And when Joe came along, I realized God really can change lives - in a dramatic way, even through measly people like you and me.
Joe's not a Christian. But you can bet I pray for his soul on a daily basis. I pray to someday get a call from him saying, "Melissa, I get it now. I get what you always talked about."