Dwelling Places Youth Conference

I had the opportunity this weekend to speak at a youth conference we held for the youth on the Dwelling Places program. The purpose of the three-day conference was to encourage the youth (ages 18 and older) that even though they will be asked to leave the DP home at age 18 we still have a plan for them and that we aren’t going to just kick them out and then move on. We walked through different sessions explaining that we will begin to prepare a youth for independent living starting at age 15 so that by age 18 or sooner they will feel prepared and not scared about leaving the Dwelling Places Home. We also walked through our Aftercare program for what will happen when they are living on their own (this is what applied to the ones at the conference). Our aftercare plan will closely follow an international model Rita found online. We will have a personal advisor for each youth and a DP staff member assigned to each one moving into Independent Living. There will be skill training seminars and other helpful information given throughout the year.

So my role at the conference was mainly assisting Rita with presenting this material. Coming up with a PowerPoint and editing other material. But I was also asked to lead a devotion on Saturday morning. At first I was like um…no. What do I know about leading a devotion for 20 African youth and staff members? I was a little scared I would have nothing impactful to say or that no one would understand me. I tend to speak quickly when I get nervous and I could imagine I would be nervous. But then a little voice crept into my head and said, “it isn’t you they want to hear from.” I was humbled pretty quickly and even laughed because I know it is God’s words and his time and all he is asking me to do is to be used by him…the one thing I always say I am so willing to do. How quickly I forgot.

Friday afternoon all the staff went over to the conference and we spent time one on one with each youth and did a Needs Assessment. And then we played some games and had a Q&A session. Saturday I got up early to come into the office to print some things out then headed over to the conference. My devotion focused on spiritual gifts/talents and how we each have at least one and how they can be used for God’s glory. We talked about Ephesians 2:10 and Joshua 1:9. It was a good morning and I felt blessed to be sitting with these kids and talking about Jesus and the Bible. 6-8 years ago I never would have imagined this is where I would end up. It was exciting.

The rest of the day was spent in different sessions and learning about different life skills, all the while encouraging them and reassuring them DP would be there for them even after they turned 18 years old. The conference ended on Sunday and it seemed that they all had gotten something out of it and they appreciated us taking the time to sit with them and explain everything…like adults. It was such a great weekend. And to top it off I went with two of our older kids to play Ultimate Frisbee on Sunday night. They have so much fun being out and running around with other people. They live in a group home and the only people they see most of the week is DP staff and other kids in the home. So to be out, in the city and playing Frisbee is a treat…for them and me. I am tired today but it’s ok because I know it was all time well spent this weekend.