A Chance Can Change a Life
by Lucky Egharevba, Neighborhood Youth Ministries staffPictured: Lucky (far left) with a group of Junior Park Patrol youth at a local community garden.
Our summer Park Patrol program had already begun when a neighborhood youth, Damaris, came looking for a summer job. Damaris is a troubled youth, but we allowed him to join, even though there were many risks associated with this decision. When we told him he was hired he tried not to seem excited, but in his eyes you could tell he was happy. It wasn't long, though, before his rough background began to surface. He was unable to work with others; he could not be part of a team.
It wasn't long before a friend invited him to come to Real Life Bible study. Damaris said, "Maybe." Surprisingly he arrived five minutes early! The message that night was on John 3:16 and how God gave His Son to die for our sins. Touched, Damaris asked a series of questions. Staff member Lucky asked, "What would be your response to God for giving his Son?" Damaris was visibly moved and said, "I would tell him thank you for saving my life and would give him anything and everything that I have."
After that night there was a change in Damaris' conduct towards others. Whenever he needed something he asked in a more polite way, and showed gratitude in return. He grew in his ability to work with his team, and barely complained about doing his tasks. On the last day of his job, he was the most energized worker and took initiative to complete a task that was meant for everyone without being told. Damaris looks happier now than when he first started with The Boston Project.
We believe he was touched by God. We are reminded that all of us need a chance
to grow and learn - even when we are considered "risky." "For God so loved the world..." We are called to love the world as He does; and we know that one transformed young person can make the world a different place!
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Lucky served on our 2011 NYM summer staff as a coordinator for the Junior Park Patrol program. He is a student at Gordon College, and is currently living and studying in Jerusalem this semester.
