15 and in prison.

Today we found out one of our youth has been put in prison. He grew up in our children's programme and is a lovely boy. Very involved, full of fun and once excited about Jesus. Last month he got involved with a gang for the first time.
Tonight he is in a prison cell with men who are awaiting trial for all sorts of crimes.
He is 15 years old.

It's 10.30pm right now and the rain is beating wildly on the roof. It sounds like a typhoon. Windows banging, doors rattling and thunder clanging.
My baby boy woke up with a short burst high pitch cry. I suppose the noises of a storm are ones he has never heard before. I held his chubby warm body against mine. His perfectly smoothly rounded cheeks pressed to mine. Within moments he was fast asleep again.
A few seconds later my darling boy Josiah sat bolt upright in the bed. He grabbed my hand and put it over his ears then after a cuddle he returned at peace to dream world.

While comforting my babies through the noises of the storm all I could think about was the mother of the boy who was put in the prison. Her heart must be torn and broken as she listens to the rain batter down on the tin roof of the upper level of temporary housing. As the rain continues to fall hard I wonder if right now  rain of tears are falling fast down her face as she thinks of her sons first night in prison.. She usually has such a beautiful smile- but not tonight.

I'm so sad to think how she must have held her only son through many a rain storm at the dump site  when he was little. I feel so heavy hearted for her as a mum. Her baby boy once safe in her arms now in the hands of police that left him bruised from a beating. Her mind must be tormented at she wrestles with the things that may happen in that prison cell.

We know this family well and have worked with them since we first arrived in the Philippines. They are good parents. The father works so hard as a Pedi cab driver to provide the most he can for his children. He is a gentleman. The mother really cares for her children and has a determination to see them do well in school and in life. They have raised their son well. I know they will be  asking themselves what else they could have done. The Father told Ron as he cried that he was crying because his son had not listened to his instruction. As his youth leaders we are also searching our hearts. What else could we have done? He only got into the gang a few weeks ago. What is we had been back one month earlier from Scotland. Maybe.....

I haven't mentioned any names or gone into detail because I don't want to embarrass the family but God knows this young boy. He knows all about the crime whether guilty or innocent and cares. He knows exactly what has happened and what will happen to him. He knows who you will be talking about if you pray for him even without a name to base your prayers on, so please would you pray for him and his parents.
Thank you.

*according to Philippine law is  illegal for a minor to be put in jail with adults. Police have said they are only holding him until The department of social welfare and development take over the case- It is still against the law.