boy, oh, boy

There have been so many times over the past year that I have seen and heard things and wondered how these things could be happening and why people could realize they were happening and not do something. One of these big areas are the numbers of boys I regularly encounter who are at risk and being abused. The reality is that many organizations who say they work with "children" really mean that they work with "girls." They help girls who are sexually abused and exploited, but they forget about the boys who experience the same violence and exploitation.

Last week, I heard a man that I greatly respect, a man who advocates for the rights of ALL children, say something very poignant about the world's deficiency in assisting boys and young men who are victims of sexual violence. He said that secular organizations are afraid to help male victims for fear that they may be labeled "anti-gay" while faith-based organizations are afraid to help for fear that they may be labeled "pro-gay."

Meanwhile, there are boys suffering unspeakable things.

I am honored to work with these boys alongside others who don't care what the world thinks but instead just want to love like Jesus loves.