It’s not about the cigarettes

This is what we kept telling the boys at Savva orphanage this weekend. There were three boys we caught smoking and were crushed to see it, but thankful to have the opportunity to speak to them about this. We know that smoking and drinking are virtually coming of age activities for many of these orphan boys. In fact, one boy explained that he had his first cigarette at age five and as much as he would like to quit, doesn’t see how it’s possible. We very much desire to be a break in the chain warning the boys that cigarettes link to alcohol link to drugs. It’s so vital now, before they leave the orphanage because the region they are to move to after leaving sits amidst poppy fields and is known for drugs.

The truth is, we haven’t the power to “save” them or change them. We can only speak truth with the love that we have for them and pray that the words bear fruit with time. We make sure that they know that it’s not the one cigarette that we care about but their futures. We offer what help we can, accountability and prayer, advice on how to quit, words of hope and encouragement. Ultimately though we know the daily battle against temptation, peer pressure, and hopelessness is more often than not too much for these young teenagers. So we accept no promises, expect no miracles, hold them to their impossible promises and pray for miracles. Its heart breaking and worth every moment.