...

i met a kid today. his name was frank. he clung tightly to this little stuffed dog. i was frustrated at times....was he even listening to me? i couldn't get him to read the book the teacher seemed to want him to read. he wouldn't pick out a book. i couldn't keep his interest. but then i picked out a book to read to him and he sat there w/ the dog in his lap listening. he tried to appear as if he wasn't interested...but he was. and then we moved to playing uno together. i felt the freedom to joke around with him...but yet give him some structure he needed. after the time was over he grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go. he wanted to be near me. i felt wanted by this little 9 year old kid whose caretakers live somewhere near skid-row. what had this kid seen in his life? what has he been exposed to? what lies ahead in his future? where will he be in a few years? i left the building this afterschool program was held and stumbled across a sleeping bag sprawled across the sidewalk. the mission across the street was full and locked up for the evening. the others were left scattered on the street amongst the piles of trash.

what is our role in these definite needs within our cities? what is the correct response? what is needed? honestly...it felt quite similar to many of the streets i walked down in thailand...or even ukraine to an extent. the ministry itself felt quite similar to things done in ukraine. sigh. i suppose i have alot more thoughts on these matters...but my head throbs and i must sleep.

i shall attempt to examine these ideas more later.