SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4

You will find none of my planned articles posted today.  I've had an emotionally draining afternoon, maybe one of the saddest days I've ever known.

My "sister" Alicia was late for church this morning.  She sat down next to our Senior Warden and discussed something with him, then hurried out of church.  I followed her.  Last night two cars with three teens in each one collided with such force that the engine of one ended up in the front seat of the other.  One 19 year old, Chris, died instantly.  One of the girls died today around noon, and another this evening.  One boy, who was wearing a seat belt is expected to recover.  Two other teens, a boy and a girl, are not expected to survive.  They were med-evaced to El Paso. 

Alicia taught every one of the kids at one time or another.  Her daughter, Sammi, was friends with all of them.  This morning the kids started arriving at her house by 10AM.  The kids who were killed have no real family.  Few of the friends have family or churches.  Alicia arranged for the kids to come over to our Episcopal Church starting at 2:30PM. 

I left my Durango in the parking lot while I went with the parents for lunch.  When I arrived back to pick it up the kids were starting to pour into the parking lot.  I left, but called Alicia and asked if she needed anything, which she did.  I was back at church by 2:45.  I took her things into the Parish Hall, which was full of sobbing, heart-broken teens.  I think it was the saddest thing I've ever seen in my life.   I was going to leave, but ended up talking to two of the girls who were sitting out on the front wall.

Naturally I chose a day to wear uncomfortable heels, and ended up standing on cement in them for over an hour.  Alicia and I regrouped about 3:30.  I went home to change into something flat and headed back to church.  In the car I called my mother, who is good at working with teens.  I also called one of the 'church ladies' and asked her to come over and help with the kids.  She is a retired teacher, grandmotherly type, who ended up starting a hug-fest with more tears.

I picked up ice and more soda.  Alicia went and picked up 10 pizzas.  We fed the kids, who stayed there until about 6:PM.  I am emotionally drained.  There were kids there who have lost 4 friends in 2 years.  Without a church, parents, or stable home of any sort, these poor teens are anchorless.

One little girl, she is 17, but looks about 12 or so, was just tragic.  She is the one who has lost 4 friends in 2 years.  We talked for a long time.  These children have no Christian background, they have nothing to hold on to.  All they have is one another.  Many of them are truly lost.  They were the kids with tattoos, piercings, spiked hair, just reaching out for someone to care for them.  I've never been through a day like this before, and hope I never do so again.

I'm too wiped out to do anything else this evening.  I am begging you to add these kids to your prayers and ask others to pray for them.  Also pray that they will be receptive with meeting with a few of us on Sunday afternoons for Bible study and prayer.  Their souls are worth fighting for.


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