As the boys are growing older (more than half are now in junior high), it has been both rewarding and challenging to watch their interests change along with their ages. Issues like skateboarding, girls and parties frequent our conversations more than ever before, revealing their growing need for acceptance and to fit in.
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Since the start of the school year, the boys have had the opportunity to participate in many activities in, and outside of, the neighborhood. These have included building skate ramps, fishing at the Newport Beach Pier, and exhibiting culinary creativity by cooking meals with items exclusively from the 99¢ store.
Since the start of the Solid House, it has been the same six boys who have been involved. There have been certain occasions in which other kids would join us, but never permanently. Javier, a local junior higher that wasn't an original Solid House boy, began coming around more often during our weekly meetings this summer. I could not make myself tell him not to come; over time his presence just fit sort of naturally. We began to serve up an extra plate of food and make extra room in the van when going on trips. I guess you could say he has sort of joined the group. There was no official introduction or talk with the other boys, but I found it impossible to turn away someone so obviously starving for attention and/or a different routine.
Please pray for Javier. He is constantly forced to deal with issues that no thirteen-year-old kid should ever have to face. Please pray for the other boys as well, as they approach some of the most awkward stages of their lives. Matt Anderson, Solid House Boys Director/Teen Center Director Visit Solidarity's website by clicking here.
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