Kaylee's Story
As we ministered salvation at the last outreach in May, my husband and I met Kaylee. She was very lost and in a bad situation. Her life had come to living with some people one of which was a transvestite. It was not the road God had for Kaylee to walk. In short, she had come to the end and it was killing her, spiritually. We were encouraged after Al had prayed with her and we invited her to church. We picked her up that following Sunday morning and she was very open in sharing her life.
Kaylee really enjoyed the church service, even saying that a song she'd been thinking of was played that morning. She wanted to talk to us and the story she shared was one of bondage, abuse and homelessness. This pretty girl that sat before us, who had suffered through foster care, rejection from family and only a glimpse of God, was in despair. We, being the compassionate people that we are, gave her our card and told her to call us if there was anything we could do for her. About 7:00 p.m. that Sunday we received a call from a number we recognized. It was Derrick & Dixie who lived just adjacent to the trailer Kaylee had been staying with the two guys. She had made her way over there after being thrown out and locked out of the trailer she called home. Even though she had no peace, hardly any sleep and was a slave to sin it was all she knew at that time. God had opened a ray of hope to Kaylee that day and she reached for it. I looked at Al and he said to me what are we going to do and we agreed to go get her. Bringing her home was a decision we made in an instant. My idea was to find her a place to go, but my husband asked me how we could just send her to a shelter around people who may not care to disciple her.
In outreach ministry there are many we come across with bad situations . . . but somehow this 19 year old got to our heart. Little did we know a former foster family had taken Kaylee to church. She had been introduced to Jesus before and actually attended a christian college until she had no where to stay. Unfortunately for her there was a series of events that led her to be homeless. I can only imagine how scared, desperate and lonely it must have been for her. I only know what we had to do and I was surprised at myself how I rose to the challenge. And a challenge it was!
I have a deeper respect for all parents of teenagers. Also, this was not my first "spiritual child". We had a list of those we were "spiritual" mom & dad to that we counseled, encouraged and taught how to live according to the word. This is our dream, our vision from God, The Center of Faith, Hope & Love. A residential living center to teach people off the street how to live according to the Bible. We do not have the building or the land yet (in the natural), but we have the faith for it. All our experience up until now are leading us in that direction and preparing us for what is to come. God have my husband the plans many years ago, as he was working in the yard and picked up a two by four he began to lay out the building that seemed to be in the shape of a cross. In God's timing we will build it. Until then, we continue to follow his lead.
Not only was it difficult to understand a teenager's ways, not raising my own children, but one with so many issues. But God knew we had what we needed, even if it took us a while to realize it. As we built trust with Kaylee, taking her into our home as part of our family, she came to love us. I learned that she was hesitant to put her clothes in the dresser or hang them up because of the moving around in foster care for so long. Being under such oppressive situations with no sound sleep, it was unfamiliar to her to be in a non-threatening home. Although it seemed she'd be forever at getting comfortable with us, sleeping in her clothes and waking up afraid, she did. She found herself, not only a new home, but a church family, youth group and a loving, caring pastor. She told us how she'd never been to a church like Christian Center. And how she felt loved, accepted and alive!
We took her with us to visit Pastor Dave & Sharon in Williamsport, Indiana and she fell in love with the family there. As it's our second home, Kaylee learned why and our reason for driving three and a half hours to fellowship, share on our ministry and spend time with their family.
Seeing her put a dress on and feel good about herself was a wonderful feeling. It was like a butterfly coming out of its cocoon. A beautiful person emerged and then . . . Al drove her around, she got a job, and we taught her how to drive. Independence. Then she wanted to shop for a car. Not only was Al taking her to work at 5:00 a.m. each day, but helped her to find a vehicle. A 1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible, just the thing to make her feel cool!! I found this is very important to a 19 year old. She wanted to show it off to her friends, so she gassed up and was on the go.
Kaylee became like our own, we just wanted to protect her, keep her safe and see her grow spiritually. She had mentioned family in Nebraska where she was from and time lost. After driving til we didn't know where she was or what she was doing we began to be concerned. She seemed to all of the sudden behave irresponsibly. And then she came home after being gone overnight and said that her Aunt was here from Nebraska, her grandmother wasn't doing well and she needed to go. I was sort of shocked. Just like that. "I have to leave now". Why? What could I say? I was stunned, feeling like she was being ripped out of our hearts. I didn't know what to do. We pray for Kaylee, hoping the seeds planted will remain and take root.
John 15:16 ""You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you."
