Day five of our trip, and the team is bouncing through the countryside, thinking of all the children who have touched our hearts. One boy came to mind. When we first met A, he looked defeated; huddled against the sub zero temperature. We needed to interview him in our van, due to logistics, and he settled in, surrounded by strangers. His foster dad spoke first. He was very stern at first, as he explained that A had been interviewed by host programs several times, but had never been chosen. His foster dad had watched A deal with the lost hope and feelings of rejection, each time compounded. This will be the last time I allow it. He cant take this again, he warned us. We started off with easy questions, trying to break the ice. He was quiet and shy, but answered softly. He shares the interests and dreams of most teens: to be a professional soccer player, to explore a big city. But the unspoken dream hung in the air. It broke my heart to hear the longing in his voice when we asked him what kind of family he would like to visit. Any. That was his answer. Any family would be good. It took only a second for the longing in that soft voice to pierce my heart. The sadness and hurt instantly apparent. We were able to talk to him for awhile, and he started to open up. His foster dad told us that he is very open and friendly, once he knows and trusts you. He is a gentle soul, and the many young foster children in the home follow him around like little ducks in a row. They go to him when they are scared or hurt; they trust him completely. Can you build up this young man? Can you love him unconditionally? Show him the world outside his small farm? Dont underestimate the impact of six short weeks in the summer. Can you be that family? Any. Any family?
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 09:23:15 +0000