Everything has seemed to good to be true here lately. Our
relationships with the guys are amazing and we absolutely love them. We have
had great times and good conversations with one another; they really are my
brothers.
That is why we were all so caught off guard and in tears the
other day when we heard the news.
Two of the guys we were close to, Samebath and Phearon, ran
away. The night before we had sat with Samebath and some other guys, watching
the sunset and sharing our dreams. He had said that he wanted to fly planes
like his sister and go to Japan. When he was done at the center he wanted to
get a good education and work towards his dreams. We sat there, encouraging
him, and thinking about that hope that lay ahead for him. Now I don’t see how
any of those things can come true.
The great thing about the Teen Challenge Center is that they
don’t just help you get past addiction. When you graduate from the program they
send you to a new place where you can learn skills for a vocation that
interests you. I guess both boys have runaway before so it doesn’t look like
they will come back this time. Samebath has only been at the center for 2
months. We hope that he doesn’t fall back into old habits, but both of them
have no money and will be living on the streets. Plus, Samebath is wanted by
the police for stealing a bunch of computers and a car in Phnom Pehn. Now that
he’s gone, the police are looking for him and will probably put him away. None
of us could understand how after such an amazing week with the guys, they could
just pick up and leave. Especially after literally having normal conversation
and enjoying our time together just the evening before.
The part that makes it least a bit easier to leave here is
knowing that Teen Challenge keeps track of all the guys who graduate, where
they go, and how to get in contact with them. For those of us who were close to
Phearon and Samebath there is no way to tell if we will ever hear from them
again. Its been really hard for us to lose our friends in this way.
There are still so many guys at the center to spend time
with and pour into before we leave, so we are trying to dwell on this sad
event. I will ask though that if you are reading this, you stop and pray for
these boys. They have no where to go to but the streets and no money, which
means they will have to resort to stealing. They are such talented and sweet
guys. Pray that their steps lead back to Teen Challenge. Pray for their futures
and that everything they learned while at the center will not be forgotten.
