Rodney was just arrested, his second offense.  Rodney changes into his ‘jail clothes' and moves into his new room: Alpha Dorm, bed 4.  Rodney doesn't know that Mary, who has yet to have a child of her own, has been praying for whoever rests his head in Alpha Dorm, bed 4.  Rodney sleeps peacefully. No nightmares.  Chapel is scheduled later this morning.  Rodney wants to go, not sure why.  At least he's out of his room.  Brian and Betty Jankowski are the Youth for Christ volunteers for Chapel today.  Rodney goes to Chapel, he feels funny.  His eyes start to fill up.  It's like 16 years of neglect are flowing down his cheeks and he can't stop it.  Brian Jankowski leads the group in prayer.  Meanwhile, Mary's at her church this morning, praying for whoever is in Alpha Dorm, bed 4.  Rodney asks for a Chaplain visit.

Mary doesn't know Brian or his wife Betty, but they are partners.  Partners in ministry to Rodney whose dad is in jail somewhere, whose mom would visit him if she just had the time.

There are 108 beds in the new Juvenile Detention Facility.  108 beds for young people whom Jesus loves. For $10.80 a month you can adopt a bed. Pray for the one who sleeps on that bed.

Thank You,

Barbara Afe,

Chaplain Juvenile Detention Facility

YFC Youth Guidance Coordinator

One of the stories

My name is Jesus; I am 18 years old and I am from Los Angeles, California

I was a very good student from pre-school to fifth grade.  It was the summer after fifth grade that my life began to change in a negative way.  I started to hang around with gang members.  I joined the gang in sixth grade.

My first week in middle school, I was suspended for fighting.  My mother sent me to Chicago to live with my uncle but I was involved in a bad fight there and the court told me I had to leave, so I went home to California.  My mother didn't want me back; I was still getting in trouble with the law.  I was supposed to be in the seventh grade but I would just stay home.

A few months later, I came to Wichita to visit my sister and her husband.  I was here about a week and met a nice girl who was a little older than me; I was 14 years old at the time.  One year later she gave birth to my son.  I was still kind of childish in my thinking and was still doing drugs and alcohol.  I decided to stop that behavior and get a job that would allow me to support my family.  I was underage, so I wasn't able to do so.  I left for California to work with some friends there but after eight months away from my son, I returned to Wichita. 

I thought moving back would change my way of thinking because back in California I had lost friends to gangs.  I wouldn't associate with gangs anymore but when I came back to Wichita, I made a very stupid mistake and ended up in the Juvenile Detention Facility.

I finally came to realize that Jesus Christ was trying to get my attention.  He knew the only way was by isolating me in lockup.  I started to attend the Chapel services and read my Bible.  Everything changed.  My personality is different and Jesus is giving me an opportunity to make changes.  He could have let me stay in the County jail after I turned 18, but instead He placed me in a Christian facility where I am working on my GED.

Jesus has also taught me to appreciate every single thing around me.  Barbara always tells me that there are people praying for me, knowing that really helps me.

In a few weeks I will be able to look for a job and I will be able to see my son on weekends.  I will be finished my program in January of 2007; now I am waiting to see what Jesus Christ makes out of me.