Strong finish....

Get your mind thinking......

-Think of the last time you grieved, the moment you were crying so hard you didn’t know whether you’d actually ever breath again or not. 

-Imagine sitting in a room and hearing the screams of someone else in the room next to you; not just a yell, but a tormenting scream. Now, while you’re sitting there keep in mind there’s no way for you to get to them, for comfort or help, you’re forced to listen helplessly.

Now, as if you weren’t feeling bad enough:

-You know that stomach drop feeling? Maybe when you’re riding in a car and there’s a steep hill, or maybe you’re riding a ride at an amusement park. Perhaps you’re overhearing a conversation on the phone and you only hear the gasp of your loved one and know something is wrong, or when you’re startled by a phone call that’s coming in late at night, you know the feeling I’m talking about?

-Have you ever had a deep burn that the pain never goes away? Nothing helps it, you just have this annoying ache and sting that wont go away.

Well all this, and I’m sorry to say I just surfaced the thought, is what you’ll experience if you go to a place called Hell.

Now, let me leave you with some hope:

-Think of the last time you heard the most beautiful sound, you got goosebumps and didn’t want it to ever go away.

-Remember something that caught your eye because of it’s beauty, but knew a picture wouldn’t do justice.

-You know that feeling of the first day of spring when everyone is full of joy? You’re windows are down in your car and everyone has a smile on their face.

-Have you ever dreamed about living in a mansion or to fly?

-Think of the last time you were dancing and never wanted the night to end.

-How about playing a game or watching a game and your favorite team wins every time!

-Have you ever been apart from someone far too long, then had the privledge to embrace them upon their return?

-How about being able to do something crazy or eat whatever you’d like with no consequences.

-Think of the amazing feeling when you don’t have to set your alarm for the next day because you have absolutely nothing to do that day, amazing feeling right?

-Daydream about being with someone you love who’s already passed away and being able to have lunch with them or take a walk in the park with them, or simply being able to text them, brings a smile to your face just thinking about them, huh?

Well, again I only surfaced the thought, but what if I told you, you could constantly hear that beautiful sound and never get tired of it. You’ll be able to admire that breathtaking sight and an infinite more like it- the good feelings never go away, everything that is good, is endless.

My experience

There have been many I’ve talked to about the way they live their lives and it seems a bit hellish:

-The 9 year old boy who doesn’t know his father, has run from his mother, lives on the streets with friends, is constantly high and has killed two people- doesn’t sound too joyous of a life to live.

-There’s a young girl who does favors for the street boys to fit in and for someone to protect her, she’s pregnant one day, but loses the children the next during a fight with her brother. You see she can’t go home because she’s abused there too.

-How about the girl on the corner or the girl dancing in the club naked in front of guys who are only there, taking advantage of her. Deep down inside she’s crying and hurting because she just wants to be loved or she’s just there because the money is good and “easy” and she has a baby at home to feed.

This life that at times may look glamorous, has hell written all over it, Nobody wants to be taken advantage of or left on their own to defend themselves. Trust me, I’ve talked to  many and I’m friends with many who live like this.

Some hope

Right now the Shores of Grace paperwork for the rescue home to be open is almost completed, so that in return we can start taking in children who have been in abusive situations, living on the streets, and/or in prostitution/sex trafficking.

The women who are in these situations such as clubs, brothels, inner cities, dealing drugs, are all hurting. Whether they show it or not, trust me, I’ve talked to them. I’ve been in the strip clubs and have talked with some of these girls with other girls on the Shores team, while they sit and cry because they hate what they do but need the money. Next, we have had to watch them walk to the back to get ready for their act, knowing it’s the last place they want to be. I’ve talked to women on the street corners (drug dealers and/or prostitutes) who’s scared of their life and mine for the time being. They all feel like the’ve been used, they’re all hurt and when you really get to know them and their hearts, they all tell you they want to run from it all. Deep down they have dreams, they want to be loved and taken care of. 

As of now, Shores doesn’t have a home for these women YET, but someday they will. When I arrive back to the states, I’ll be teaming up with the Refuge for Women and that’s exactly what they are doing, giving hope to these girls and helping them figure out how to live our their dreams.