I'm a tool.

I was reminded of a tragic accident that occurred nearly three years ago outside of my house.  Despite efforts to save his life, Cole Slavin, age 17 died in my arms with his friend watching.  Cole loved biking, but in the end - biking claimed him.  It's hard to imagine how much pain and hardship was faced by so many people on that fateful day.

Last year I travelled around the world - to fourteen countries.  In the dark places, we saw and learned things most people can't comprehend.  From trafficking victims, to drug addicts, to homeless, to abandoned children we found these people in the corners of the earth.  We helped, we fed people, we prayed, we loved and we documented their stories.  Whatever we could do - we did it.

As I recollected my thoughts from traveling, I realized something:  I don't need to go far to find people who need help.  Simple - yet it took me a journey around the world to understand.  It took looking into the eyes of Cole Slavin as he took his last breath - something I just learned now - three years later.

I don't know why this came to mind.  Perhaps it was because I am thinking about the future.  I know God has called me to work with teenagers at home, but lately I've been exploring other "money making" options.
As I relived the events and emotions of that pivotal hour with Cole, a thought resonated through my head:

"Why am I concerned about money when life or death is in your hands?"

Is not human life of more concern than debt?

What would happen if a teenager decided to play a sport, or join a club of some sort instead of smoking weed or getting drunk?  If you could influence someone's life in a positive way, would you?  Sometimes that decision could be the choice or life or death.

Youth at risk.  What does that mean?  To me it means they're at risk to joining gangs, getting addicted to drugs or engaging in risky behaviour.  They are at risk of not living up to their full potential.  Their lives are at stake.

How can we, as an "older" generation set an example, and teach our youth to make good choices?
How can I be a part of changing my own neighbourhood?

I know this is a heavy topic, I apologize if you didn't see that coming.  But we have to realize that life is too short for some.  We have to make a difference now - wherever we're at.  We're the ones who can be the change.  I am the one who gets to have a future, while some kids, like Cole do not.

My experience has taught me many things, but one thing sticks out more than any other:

Bad things happen and sometimes we don't know why God would allow it.  We could either blame God and see no way around it or maybe, just maybe we can be the tools he uses to fix it.