For Those that Are Far From Home
Every time I drove by the basketball court I would get a little annoyed. Not because there was a kid out there playing ball, but because there were basketballs strewn all over the place after hours. I knew that we would end up needing to ask for more because they would get destroyed or stolen. But the court was being used, and as someone that had a hand in seeing it built I was happy to see the vision of a court that would draw people in, achieving its purpose.
Then I noticed that it was the same kid that I saw from the day before, Michael. He was small, I could tell he had some athleticism, but his game was rough. Really rough. There were times that I tried to teach him some basketball skills but two things were apparent. First, he didn't seem to think I had game. Second, he did not seem to want advice, or conversation, from anyone. Michael just wanted to be around The Next Door, on his terms, when he wanted it.
So we let him.
It wasn’t always easy. During our Club times, Michael wouldn’t quietly wander in — he’d burst through, cut across the group, and head straight for the snacks. When I told him we weren’t serving snacks yet and invited him to join us instead, he’d glare, turn around, and walk right back out. This went on for weeks.
Until one day, he realized he had to sit through Club to get a snack. He stayed the whole time. Progress. Then Club was over and Michael came up to me. I was excited to hear if he had learned anything.
"Can I get a Bible?"
"Praise God!" I thought, progress. "Of course Michael. Hey, do you want any help starting off.
Want me to help you find a good place to start?" I asked as I handed him the Good Book.
"No thanks." He said as he started to walk away, Bible in hand.
"If you have any questions, let me know. I would love to be able to help you out in any way I Can."
He stopped right there, turned around and accepted Jesus on the spot.
I wish that was true, but no. Instead, he turned around and said, "I just wanted one so I could prove it wrong."
Dangit, Michael.
Over the next few months, we learned more about his story; Michael was dealing with loss, loneliness, searching.
Over the next year, a strange thing happened. Michael would show up more, and he started to become more conversant. He went from abrupt demands to conversation. He went from trying to disprove the Bible to asking questions about it from people that were obviously not onboard with his crusade.
So why am I telling this story right now? Because I received a text from one of my team just a couple of days ago and I have been getting choked up ever since.
Denzel: Michael comes up to me today and says: "I have good news!" and I asked "What is it?" and he says "I think I'm a Christian now!" God is moving!
I can’t imagine what it’s like for a kid to carry that much pain, to push people away while desperately wanting to belong. But I do know what it means to be patient — to keep showing up, to keep loving, to keep pointing them toward hope.
That is why I do what I do, and I imagine, if you asked our team they would say the same thing. Our heart is to reach those that are far from home, wandering around, looking for answers. Patiently building relationships with them, pointing them toward the hope that can only be found in the God that loves them, the God that pursues them, the God of the Bible found in the person of Jesus.
Bart Lesco
Executive Director
*Students name has been changed for privacy.