So this week a few hundred teen mama's and their babies invaded camp! I always get so choked up seeing the buses arrive with these girls. The excitement on their faces fills me with so many emotions... For starters, seeing any kid with the child-like look of "Oh my gosh, I am really here!" is always so amazing! But at the same time, seeing these children, with their own children on their hip reminds me that they are moms and do not have the freedom to just be kids anymore, so they themselves are amazed at the opportunity to be here. They are tied down, burdened and consumed with all things baby. They have given up the normal teenage life, and have had to step into a very new unfamiliar role at a young age. I am not meaning that negatively, but as parents you are tied down with the needs of your child before your own. You are burdened with the constant thought and worry of how you are going to take care of them with each step in their lives. And you are consumed with this new life you lead and have little time for yourself, let alone friends or socializing.
Now as a new mom myself, I am understanding this more and more with every passing day. However, the difference between me and a lot of these girls though, is that I chose this life for myself and wanted to get pregnant with Kason. For most of them, they did not choose to get pregnant, nor did they want to be consumed by a child. So many of them have a wall up and a very hardened heart. But one thing they did choose is to give LIFE to this child. And whether they are believers or not, I think God loves the decision to choose life and wants them here at this camp for a huge reason.
Since these ladies have been here, they have had the opportunity to experience every aspect of camp to the fullest! We have many child care workers who paid their way to get here just so they could sit with the girls babies while they go out and have the time of their lives around camp. They have done the zipline, blob, bike rides, water slides and so much more! Today was Spa Day and the girls rotated between stations for 5 hours. They were given 45 minute massages, facials, mani & pedi's and played bingo. They loved it! This was one of the first times that I was able to sit and talk with a few of the girls and hear a little about their lives. It was a great day and this week has been great seeing the ladies be able to be kids again, for just a moment. But more importantly, they have been hearing about Jesus' love for them and how he died so that they could live!
I have a few ladies that I would love for people to pray for:
Marlee from Albuquerque: She is starting Young Lives here in ABQ and is in need of other leaders and mentors to reach teen moms in our area! She did great this week and is going to do big things in ABQ.
April & Felicia & Kim & Laila: These are the girls and their daughters who came with Marlee. They had so much fun and are excited about what is happening in their lives and what will be starting to happen in other teen moms lives in ABQ. Pray for them to find their own faith and for their relationships with their finace/husband.
Fatima and her baby Clarity: Fatima is a beautiful and bright eyed young lady and is in love with her daughter! They do everything together! I pray that she stays strong as a single mom and raises her daughter in a Godly home.
Naisha and Lamarie: She is from Georgia and is soooo funny! I pray that she is able to finish her schooling like she has planned and that her and her boyfriend get married like they want to.
Laquisha & Tristan: Laquisha is super sweet and soft spoken. She doesn't have many friends and says her only support is her Mom and sister. I pray that she continues to do well in college and accomplishes her goals of becoming a 3rd grade teacher.
Carla & Elijah: They are from Verde Valley where our dear friends Jon and Jordan are now area directors. I pray that Carla gets more involved in Young Lives and can have a strong group of women around her to help her grow as a woman and raise her son.
Emily & Ethan: I did not meet Emily, but I heard about her. This girl needs LOTS of prayer. She is in a very dark place and is not taking care of her son the way she should be. Her mom is sleeping with her boy friend and is not in a good situation at all. I pray that God would somehow take control of the mess of her life and be the absolute center of it all. I pray that he would break unhealthy relationships and give her the strength to be a better Mom.
So many of these girls are hearing about Jesus for the first time. And some its the 10th time, but its just starting to sink in. Be praying for all of them and for their children that they will make changes in their lives or continue on a good path with Christ. These babies deserve good lives and they deserve to have responsible good parents.
