He's about seventeen now. Ugly. Terribly burned and crippled. This is Internet, so I won't use his name or photo (I have in the past).
When he was a little tot sitting in the car his father was working on, his father carelessly threw a lighted cigarette in the front seat where there was an open can of gas ... the gas ignited and spilled over the seat and over the little boy.
Badly burned, he was flown by helicopter to Shriners Hospital in the U.S in critical condition. Almost died. Years of painful medical visits to the U.S have helped Improve his physical condition.
Thank-you Shriners!
He contacted Hortensia yesterday. Wanted to talk. It seems his father was beating and kicking his mother (He often does this). and the boy could take it no longer, he hit his father ... at school he had to become a pretty good fighter as he was always ridiculed. The fight ended with His father forcing him out of the house ... "your useless, ugly and just another mouth to feed ... Leave!"
He's staying with his grandmother in her small house. That isn't working out. He wants a job, a place to stay.
Can you imagine the life this kid's lived? Think you have it bad? The other siblings have to watch their mother get beaten regularly.
"Hortensia I can work. I can sweep the floor and clean things ... I've cleaned bathrooms before, I'm willing to work!"
Hortensia gave him a few dollars and said "Come Wednesday morning and see Pastor von ... we'll see what we can do" ... Try and sleep with that on your mind.
Too often issues like this come up. Each one unique. Each one takes the wisdom of Solomon ... and often his pocket book. Now what would Jesus do? What should a Christian do? What can von do?
