How do you teach young teens the dangers of huffing chemicals when the only reason they started huffing in the first place is because of hunger?

Over the last year and a half I have learned quite a bit about this huffing rugby issue with the street children here in Cebu, particularly with the children we work with.

What I do know:

Most of the kids we work with started huffing because they were hungry

Huffing takes away the pains of hunger

Huffing takes the 'edge' off allowing the person to be able to bare the street life i.e. -- begging and sleeping on the streets

Huffing is a way to fit in with peers 

Huffing induces asthma 

Huffing causes sever lung, vocal cord, liver, heart and brain damage

Huffing can kill a person at anytime

What I do not know:

Why the kids continue to huff after their friend died because of it

When it turns from doing it because of hunger pains to doing it out of habit

Why they do it even when they eat 2-3 meals a day plus all the snacks they want 

I do know know what is it like to live in survival mode 

I get discouraged when I see kids we have been working with for over a year huffing and making poor decisions. But then again, I don't know what it's like to be in their position ... to be in survival mode, struggling to live on a daily basis.

My only hope, my only prayer is that these kids would see something more in life worth living for...that they would see Jesus in the people who ministry to them daily. It's my prayer and hope that they would grasp at the opportunities God puts in their path for a healthier more fruitful life.

It is also my prayer that I would handle situations as a servant of Christ, nothing more and nothing less.



Although I get discouraged about the huffing situation... there is much to be encouraged by in this work. 

For one, the kids have learned that they can trust Ronald and I! We have also learned to trust them! Relationship building takes time and after a year I am just now seeing that trust has formed.

Second, teaching children bible stories with practical application is the best! Just a few days ago I was reading the story of the good Samaritan and the kids understood that God wants us to love all people. When I was finished reading one little girl looked at me and said "like you!" I was overjoyed and can not quite put into words my happiness with her statement.

Third, what is not to love about working with kids all the time!? No matter their age, life situation, addictions, etc. they are still kids and they are still a joy to be with.

818 Ministry/Jesan Center is truly blessed to be working with these children.