It's not as bad as all that...

We sometimes forget that you guys aren't here with us, and don't have all the context that we do. I guess that's what makes good drama, huh?

It IS dramatic, life here... teenagers who are abused, whose parents DON'T actually love them, who will never receive more than the equivalent of a US sixth grade education.

But, because we live in this and have more context, we do understand that the impromptu quasi-lynching was about them not ever having been called to something higher or better.

It all started because they were dragging Joel to come apologize to us for an earlier wrong. Then it became more fun to tie him up and watch him thrash around than to counsel him to apologize. So... there was good intention in there somewhere.

As for the group mutiny, this is par for course. They are not used to a loving expectation and want to show that they, too, have power. It will pass as fast as it came, but it still makes us want to pull our hair out. They won't actually leave - what we offer is too good; the promise of a God that loves them, a life better than what they can see, and the occasional Domino's pizza.

So, keep praying and thank you for responding. Your encouragement means a lot... but don't worry too much. We (and you) have faith that God knows the full context and continues to course-correct all of our days that are like Wednesday.