My outreach to young women began many years ago. Just barely out of high school, I joined the bus ministry at my then home church in Burlington, New Jersey. For ten years I served as bus pastor in my community. Every Saturday morning we would meet at the church for prayer and go out into the community. I have knocked on many doors during my time as a bus pastor and have found this to be a true," You never know what go on behind closed doors". Bus ministry gave me a front row seat.
One Saturday after prayer I started out on my bus route as usual. This time I had someone with me who was on break from bible college. We decided after visiting my regular route, we would visit a new street. After knocking on several doors, we came to this strange looking house. We knocked on the door and a middle aged man answered the door. I introduced myself, told him where we were from and he invited us in. At first we were all laugh and smiles until he shared a bit of information about himself. I said to him, " We are Christians". And he said to us, "I am a warlock". My friend and I were speechless. At that time, neither of us fully understood what it meant to be a warlock. His house was creepy with its red shrouded curtains, cluttered rooms, little statues around the house and the wall of his in ground pool was painted black. We still preached to this self proclaimed warlock, invited him to church and bid him a farewell. In bus ministry you meet all kinds of people.
Meeting this young girl placed in my heart a desire for outreach to young women - Brie was in the fourth grade when I met her. I can remember knocking on the door of where she lived. Brie would come to the door to let me know if she and her brothers would be attending church the next day. She never invited me in and would speak to me with the door slightly ajar. Brie was responsible for looking after her two younger brothers. I often felt it was too much responsibility placed on her at such a young age. After meeting her mother, I understood why Brie seemed to embrace the role of caretaker of her brothers. Brie and I had good relationship. She loved attending Sunday school and being involved in the activities.
In September of every year the Sunday school would graduate the children to their new grade level. Brie at this time was entering seventh grade and moving on to teen church. Brie was not ready to attend teen church, so she along with two friends asked me if they could remain in children's church for a while. I agreed to give the girls the time they needed and they remained in children's church (6th grade). Eventually Brie moved on to teen church, but shortly after, something happened. My sweet little girl metamorphosed right before my eyes. She started wearing short tight skirts, heavy make-up and dyed her hair black. She became distant and somewhat of a loner. Everyone noticed the change in her, but didn't know what to do. Brie stopped attending church all together. Her brothers would faithfully ride the bus to church until the family suddenly moved out the community. I would often see Brie walking along the corridor of the highway dressed provocatively. I would stop her on the street to just talk with her. By the time Bri was in the 10th grade, she had dropped out of high school and was dating a married man. Brie worked as a receptionist at his insurance agency. The agency was forced to close down due to fraud, no big surprise there. I was never to see my Brie again. It has been over 25 years and from time to time, Brie comes to mind. I wonder if she is safe, happy and doing well?
By: P.O.
One Saturday after prayer I started out on my bus route as usual. This time I had someone with me who was on break from bible college. We decided after visiting my regular route, we would visit a new street. After knocking on several doors, we came to this strange looking house. We knocked on the door and a middle aged man answered the door. I introduced myself, told him where we were from and he invited us in. At first we were all laugh and smiles until he shared a bit of information about himself. I said to him, " We are Christians". And he said to us, "I am a warlock". My friend and I were speechless. At that time, neither of us fully understood what it meant to be a warlock. His house was creepy with its red shrouded curtains, cluttered rooms, little statues around the house and the wall of his in ground pool was painted black. We still preached to this self proclaimed warlock, invited him to church and bid him a farewell. In bus ministry you meet all kinds of people.
Meeting this young girl placed in my heart a desire for outreach to young women - Brie was in the fourth grade when I met her. I can remember knocking on the door of where she lived. Brie would come to the door to let me know if she and her brothers would be attending church the next day. She never invited me in and would speak to me with the door slightly ajar. Brie was responsible for looking after her two younger brothers. I often felt it was too much responsibility placed on her at such a young age. After meeting her mother, I understood why Brie seemed to embrace the role of caretaker of her brothers. Brie and I had good relationship. She loved attending Sunday school and being involved in the activities.
In September of every year the Sunday school would graduate the children to their new grade level. Brie at this time was entering seventh grade and moving on to teen church. Brie was not ready to attend teen church, so she along with two friends asked me if they could remain in children's church for a while. I agreed to give the girls the time they needed and they remained in children's church (6th grade). Eventually Brie moved on to teen church, but shortly after, something happened. My sweet little girl metamorphosed right before my eyes. She started wearing short tight skirts, heavy make-up and dyed her hair black. She became distant and somewhat of a loner. Everyone noticed the change in her, but didn't know what to do. Brie stopped attending church all together. Her brothers would faithfully ride the bus to church until the family suddenly moved out the community. I would often see Brie walking along the corridor of the highway dressed provocatively. I would stop her on the street to just talk with her. By the time Bri was in the 10th grade, she had dropped out of high school and was dating a married man. Brie worked as a receptionist at his insurance agency. The agency was forced to close down due to fraud, no big surprise there. I was never to see my Brie again. It has been over 25 years and from time to time, Brie comes to mind. I wonder if she is safe, happy and doing well?
By: P.O.
Comments
Post a Comment