I have been volunteering with an organization that works with youth in foster care. Each month the youth and adult volunteers meet at a local church and use the big kitchen to cook a meal together. We have been hosting different groups of people who have enjoyed the dinners. There is one young man in particular that has been on my mind and I pray for him often. I saw him for a couple of months, then he kind of disappeared. I knew that he had been having some difficulties as it was nearing the time when he would be “aging out” of the foster home. Today was the date for the next event. When the adults gathered before the kids arrived, I asked the leaders about the young man. I was told that he did have to leave his foster home and was now living in a half-way house of sorts. The facility has programs to help youth in these situations become self sufficient. One of the leaders said she had called to invite him to the dinner, but was unable to get in touch with him. After a few minutes the youth arrived. The first one through the door was the young man I had been thinking about. It was great to see him and each adult took their turn in telling him so. His face lit up and you could see what it meant to him. As we prepared the food, he just naturally fit back in and took charge of cooking the vegetables for the fajitas. He is a very good cook and has been encouraged several times to pursue that gift. He said that he is going to school and currently looking for a job. It was wonderful to talk with him and see that he is doing OK. I thought it was also telling of the value of the program for this young man to make his way back.

I Found God today touching base with a young man who has been on my mind.