Monday 12 July 2010

Of Pots and Worship Bands

I spent last week hosting/directing  97 boys at Camp IAWAH (Proverbs 3:6). Some of these boys came with so many troubles. One boy loved that there was "so much food". Other boys kept their dukes up because that was their paradigm. Another lad, of 11 years, was so stressed that he habitually twisted and pulled his hair right out of his head. We are all broken, but it is hard to see such angst in children. God bless 'em all.

French was there too. I saw him in the very back of the kitchen hovering over the steaming pot sink. Tough work in a heat wave. He'd drink litres of water out of an old yogurt container then hammers away at the pots again. I didn't even know he'd volunteered for the week.

French would take one "break" each day. French would pick up his guitar and play in the worship band. They'd play 5-6 songs, then he'd put his soaking apron back on and head back to the pot sink.

I didn't get to talk to him too much, but it was encouraging to see his hard work and hear his rock steady guitar playing each day.




12 comments:

Square Corner said...

French, a heart of gold.

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord these troubled lads have a great mentor in their life. Your're a good man Ollie.

Poot

Brian Miller said...

nice dude...glad you were there for the kids...we are all broken but together we make fine mosaics...

tinuviel said...

97 boys in one place--that would make me want to pull my hair out, too. You're a brave man.

The observations of French dovetail perfectly with the video at Imperfect Prose today. You weren't the only one who saw and valued his hard work.

Thanks for sharing this.

Kati patrianoceu said...

Wow, that sounds like an intense week in several different ways! But fun, eh?!

Belinda said...

Sheesh, 97 boys? Sounds like an action-packed week to say the least.

It's all too painful to see brokenness in children, and in adults, too; though we expect it of them. And how cool to see someone like French whose brokenness is turned into loving hard-work and song.

Joybird said...

The kid who couldn't stop twisting his hair...heartbreaking. And I love how you keep giving these little peeks at French. Man, is God ever wooing and pursuing him!

SL Burlhis said...

I don't know who French is, but I like him.

Bethany Ann said...

didn't think i'd wanna cry from visiting you today. :)

Anna said...

French is an interesting character.

Sheila said...

I don't know who French is either but you have peaked my curiousity. I'll be back...

Mommy Emily said...

i LOVE how he drank litres of water out of an old yogurt container. these details, ollie--you're so good at capturing them. e.