February 2006
Hello, my friends!
I had just dropped off some computers at my partner's house when my phone rang.
"Tim? This is Marie. We have a problem at Azalea," Marie is the manager at the apartment complex where I work. "You know the Solis' son? Well he's just been arrested at Chamblee High for having a knife. Would you mind going by there and seeing what's going on?"
I told her that I would and stopped into the school parking lot. After checking into the office I went by to talk to the Vice Principle. "Hello, my name is Tim. I'm Daniel's pastor. I heard he had a problem."
The man shook my hand firmly and offered me a seat. "Daniel is in big trouble, Pastor. He got in an altercation with one of the other boys because he called Daniel an 'immigrant' that should 'go back where he came from.' Apparently the boy found out and told us that Daniel had a knife, even though he hadn't tried to use it. I called Daniel out of class and sure enough he had the knife in his pocket. When we went through his notebooks there was a lot of information about SUR 13 the local gang."
"I know what you're talking about. I've had several discussions with Daniel and one of the other kids he hangs with about this gang stuff. I told him this is what was going to happen. So where is he now?"
The police took him to Juvenile Detention and until his parents go to get him. I tried to explain that to the parents, but they don't speak English and I don't think they understood what was going on."
"I'll go by and let them know." I found out where Daniel was being kept and went over to Azalea to explain the situation to the family and to Marie. They picked him up and later I went by to talk to Daniel. "So what did you think about jail, Daniel?" He just looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. "Do you remember that I told you this is what was going to happen?" He nodded. "Did you think it was fun?" He shook his head no. "Daniel, if you keep this up you'll be spending a lot more time there, or end up getting shot like the rest of those SUR 13 losers. Is that what you want with your life?"
He looked genuinely despondent. His parents were heart broken and confused. I explained to them that there were two problems, one with the school and one with the police. I assured them that I would be around to help. You could almost hear the visible sigh of relief.
"We're going to get through this together, Daniel. Hang in there." I squeezed his shoulder and shook the parent's hands. I left the apartment feeling an immense weight on me. So many people depend on me, seeing me as their last hope.
Thanks for your continuing support for what we're doing. There's no safety net beneath us, we're the last line of defense. We need your prayer support now more than ever!