Well the parents went to Italy and I stayed with the kids. Saturday I woke up Benny and we went to Football and the to Tennis. Corky came with us and I really enjoyed his company. We chatted about all sorts of things. He is very down to Earth for having so much money. After tennis it was time for Benny and I to go to his friend Baby Face’s house. Turns out instead of going home we would be going to a party. The party was something to behold. They took all the kids downstairs and shut the doors. They entertainer they hired came down and kept them from going up all day. The mother shut the door and said don’t let them out. It was like a 12x12 room. That was this kid’s 7th birthday. These kids are neglected just like in cases where the parents leave their kids alone for long amounts of time. They came down for the candles and that was it. I am over this. I am enabling this. This kid had two personal nannies. He doesn’t do anything for himself. He was turning 7 and I thought he might be 5. There is no discipline in this place. I am going crazy.
Spending the night turned out to be a mini-blessing though. Baby Face’s mom is one of the most down to earth people I have met. She fired everyone in the house but one person. She said she was missing her children growing up. She was sitting around and had no idea what was going on in her own house. She worked in the kitchen and Sunday she cleaned out her pantry while her husband fixed the sink. What on earth? My heart was blessed. She loves her kids.
Jessica, you are doing an outstanding job; however, when you are in the midst of it,you cannot always see it. Remember that this is their way of life...their culture, and it is how they have lived for years and years. You ARE making a difference. It is as you have said before...baby steps. Don't give up on yourself and don't give up on them. Though you may not feel you are getting through to the parents, concentrate perhaps on the children. Teach them to be self-sufficient even though they are so used to having everything done for them. You can teach them acceptance of ways that are different and tolerance for those that are different, working Jesus's teachings. I remember Caitlin talking about what an accomplishment she felt she had reached just by teaching Benny the Jet not to throw a tantrum whenever he didn't win a game. He actually got to the point of reaching out to her to shake her hand and actually saying to her "Congratulations!" That was a HUGE thing for him. When I look back on some of your past blogs, I am amazed at what you have accomplished just in some of the conversations you have had with various people. You matter, and what you are doing matters! There will be days ahead in which you feel victorious and days in which you feel beaten down, but YOU ARE DOING A WONDERFUL JOB. Give yourself a break. I love you and the person you are. Not only are you making a difference there, but you are making a difference in lives of people who are following your story. I told you how Neil and I used points from your blog to teach our Sunday school class about servitude, other's views of Christianity,clarity of purpose, and sharing the Gospel. It spurred others in our class to focus on one of these topics to teach about it the next week, and we anticipate more to come. Not only are you affecting the lives of the people you come in contact with in Turkey but here as well. I will pray for patience, perseverance, comfort, peace, and signs of encouragement for you.
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