Blue - Gray

We just finished praying with the youth... Latreia hosted a Bible study this evening for the children's home we are volunteering at this week. Four teens came and the eight of us sat in a small circle at the back of a large room.

We opened by reading Ephesians 4: 25-32. It is here that I lose track of what happened and I find myself wishing that I had a tape recorder for the conversation. I think it went something like... Kelly asked a question from our list that we prepared earlier in the day. At that point the youth let down their guard and poured open with their stories as if in a rush to share their lives. They took turns going deeper into the trials that have brought them to the home; one who's family has written him off, another who's imprisoned father does not know she exists. I looked back to my Bible to gather my thoughts and maybe front another question but I found myself flipping to another chapter - one youth had called out a verse that she wanted to share.

From here I was guided through more sharing of life stories and thoughts on God's involvement. "God was there" she said "and that is why we are here in this chair today." But we didn't stop there... I think Laura edged in another question and the youth were at it again. They talked about faith... in the chair, in the ground, faith in God... I was flipping, they were reading. My head was down, my head was up, my head was back laughing at the southern sarcasm tossed around the circle. I closed my Bible to listen, I opened my Bible to follow, I closed my Bible and folded my hands to end the study in a prayer offered by one of the teens.

The room is quiet now as all have left and I sit here staring at the screen trying to process what just happened. I think at one point during her closing prayer our friend thanked God for the members of Latreia and our example of living a Christian life. I am humbled. As the "teacher" I have just been taken to school by folks half my age and I think that is awesome. I will now take the chilly walk back to Latreia's cabin thinking: "That was a Bible study."

Jesse