Dear 17 year old boy back at camp in Greece. Yes, you the one that attempted to commit suicide but was unsuccessful. You that lost your father at the age of three. 17 year old boy I never saw smile. You that smoke because you want to “shorten your life”. The 17 year old boy that is locked behind gates like a criminal. The 17 year old boy who feels like your life has been nothing but full of bad luck. The boy who told me you have no future.
Dear boy, I want to tell you, I haven’t forgotten you. I want to tell you, you matter. I want to tell you I wish I could change your situation. I wish I could have told you everything was going to be okay. I tried to tell you about hope, but it didn’t seem like you were interested. Quite honestly, I don’t blame you. How can you think about hope when you’re behind gates locked like a prisoner? How can I tell you about hope when every morning you wake up to the same old stuff?
I want to tell you, I am sorry. I am sorry you had to go through so much in life.
I am sorry I couldn’t provide you anything other than my words.
I am sorry you don’t have the opportunities other 17 year olds have to learn and pursue your dreams.
I am sorry you feel like you have no future.
I am sorry that you feel like nobody cares about your situation.
I am sorry I didn’t stay longer to help.
I am sorry you had to leave your country to only end up where you are now.
I hope by now you’re out of camp.
I hope you have found a reason to smile.
I hope you haven’t attempted suicide anymore.
I hope by now you have realized you’re not alone.
I hope you know someday you can be a world changer like I told you.
I hope that you know how much you’re loved.
More than anything, I hope that you have found HOPE.
Most importantly, I hope you have found Jesus.
You see, Jesus is what gives me hope.
In Jesus’ eyes, there is no poor, rich, weak or strong. We are all equal.
Jesus is a father to the fatherless.
He is a friend to the friendless.
To Jesus, you’re His beloved son.
So, I hope you found Him, because without Him there is no hope.
I also want to tell you, I have not forgotten you. There hasn’t been a day where your story hasn’t crossed my mind. I want to tell you even if you don’t realize it, you’re one of the bravest 17 year olds I have ever met. I want to tell you, you have given me different perspectives in life. I want to tell you, I care.
