Prayer Request

[ravenwoodglass]

The last few days have been very rough. Early Sunday morning another one of my 'kids' was murdered. He was a good kid just a month from his 18th birthday. He used to come to the club I ran when it first opened, it was supposed to be a teen center and he wasn't but I bent the rules for him and 2 of his freinds. I just couldn't turn them away to the streets when I had a safe place for them to read, work on computers or just talk. Elvin had an infectious smile and he was always ready to help anyone who needed. He wasn't a drug dealer or into gangs, he was just a regular kid who had perhaps a bit harder life than most. He was gunned down a few blocks from his home. He died in a freinds arms.

If you could say a prayer for his family and friends and in particular for the young man who was with him when he died it would be appretiated. The young man who was holding him was arrested for not wanting to let him go and is in jail now for obstructing justice, with a $10,000, you got that right ten thousand dollars, bond. No other charges, he was hysterical of course, any of us would have been. But I wonder if we would have faced the same charges. I can not imagine what it would be like to have a best friend die in my arms and then to be taken to jail and not even be able to go to the funeral. The suffering this young man must be going through is just too much.

I don't know if prayers for these folks will help, but they can't hurt. I also know that this story is played out everyday in the small to large cities across our country. But it doesn't make it hurt any less. This makes the second murder of one of my 'kids' in less than five years, the first was a wonderful girl who was raped and strangled by her own cousin who then set her apartment afire to cover it up. I have to believe that Mona, who was also a freind of Elvins was waiting for him with open arms. It may not be the reality but it does help to believe that.

Thanks for listening to this rather depressing rant. It seems all I can do for the last couple days not to cry constantly.

[blueeyedmanda]

That is very sad news, my prayers are with you and the family.

[Belinda Meeker]

ravenwoodglass,

I would like to "Thank You for caring for these kids" whom have a not so good home life, there r too few ppl in this world to care for them, So hats off to ur kindness

And I too will put them and their families in my prayers as well !

For the young best friend my heart goes beyond for him, I too would of prolly been the same way and the law is just to petty on stuff and never deal with the real crimes

Keep up the good work and my prayers r with u too for ur loss and sadness .

Belinda

[covsooze]

Raven that's so sad. My prayers are with you and the families of Elvin and his friend. That poor guy to have held his dying friend and be arrested for it...it's unbelievable.

as Belinda says, you do an amazing job, keep up the good work.

susie x

[Judyin Philly]

I HAVE NO WORDS ............

THE WHOLE STORY IF JUST HEARTBREAKING.

OF COURSE YOU HAVE MY PRAYERS FOR YOU AND ALL THE FOLKS WHO KNEW YOUR 'CHILD' AND ESP THE CHILD IN JAIL...........

I'LL KEEP WATCHING THE THREAD AND POST LATER..RIGHT NOW...I JUST HAVE NO WORDS.

HUGS AND PRAYERS, JUDY IN PHILLY

[jerseyangel]

Oh Ravenwood,

I just don't know what to say--this is so sad. I'm so very sorry for your loss. To lose a bright young man this way, with his whole life still ahead of him makes no sense.

What a wonderful thing you do to take these kids in and give them a safe place to meet and socialize. I will say a prayer for all involved, including you. Take care

[stef-the-kicking-cuty]

That is very sad news. I will keep those young men and their families in my prayers. I can't believe, he got arrested for this. They should have hunted down the shooter instead. How dumb!!!

[ravenwoodglass]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers.

I should clarify that I am no longer able to work with the kids I loved so much. I was too ill to continue, it was predianosis, and it took a long time before they were able to reopen the Teen Center, which now is run by a wonderful woman I went to school with. He was a vistor to the new club also and I know the rest of my club family is suffering also.

I very much wish I could go back to working in even a small capacity but the residual damage from years of misdiagnosis prevents that. I am hopeful though that my new doctors, in the different health system, may help my recovery become more complete so some occasional volunteer work becomes possible. I really miss them all.

Thanks again for the prayers for his freinds and family.

[Cheri A]

((hugs and prayers)) for you and all of Elvin's friends and family

[Fiddle-Faddle]

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}

and, of course, [[[[[PRAYERS]]]]]

[jkmunchkin]

My thoughts and prayers go out to this young man's family, friends and the same of his poor friend that had Elvin die in his arms.

The work you do is amazing... you are truly and incredible person.

[ravenwoodglass]

Just a quick update, I found out the young man who was arrested was allowed to go free in time to be with his family and friends at the funeral. My DH said today he is seeing teens with T's with Elvin's picture on it. He had many, many friends and will live on in everyone's heart forever. Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

[Judyin Philly]

Just a quick update, I found out the young man who was arrested was allowed to go free in time to be with his family and friends at the funeral.

WELL THAT'S ONE BLESSING AND PRAYER THAT HAS BEEN ANSWERED.

HUGS

JUDY

[confused]

Im so sorry this happened. i know what you mean about losing one your "kids", i use to work in a boys home and i grew to love them all. One died a few years ago and i was so upset, he was such an wonderful young man that just had a bad childhood, his dad was very cruel. I still think of many of the other boys from time to time and hope they are doing well also, none of them were bad kids, just grew up with bad parents.

I am so happy they let his friend go be at the funeral, that would of been so young if they kept him in jail. I hope tho that he does get counseling to deal with everything.

paula

[Guest Doll]

This is heartbreakingly sad....I will also add my prayers to the mix. You have to think that God has a plan. If you believe in prayers, you must believe in God. If you believe in God, then you believe in heaven. If you believe in heaven, then you can assume that it was Elvin's time to go there, and that there is a reason we don't know. I know he is in a better place and happy. And hopefully his message will live on. If only one child is not shot because someone stopped to think about the consequence of their actions, it is 1 more child saved.

Many people are surprised that someone like me (Miss Logic, big science fan, etc...hehe...) believes in God. But I do. My prayers and thoughts are with you and everyone else involved in this horrible tragedy.

[jerseyangel]

Just a quick update, I found out the young man who was arrested was allowed to go free in time to be with his family and friends at the funeral.

Thank goodness for this, anyway.

[kevsmom]

My prayers are with you, Elvin's family and especially for with his friend. I can not imagine having my friend die in my arms. It will take a lot of support to help him get through this.

[sedunk]

Raven,

Many thanks for taking care of the children in the city.

I am a sixth grade teacher and run and alternative program for the high school. I recently worked with a high school student that came from Boston, similar life style, really bad life, bad parents and no opportunites to turn it around. That was, until my program. He is now living in NH with his aunt and uncle, after my program he was able to return to the high school. He had a wonderful year and will graduate next year. To see these dramatic changes are so rewarding.

It is very unfortunate what happened to your children. Know that you do make a difference. There may have been two children lost, but think of the children that you have saved.

I am a Reiki Master and do healing circles. I will include all of folks you mentioned in my next healing circle. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Take Care,

Sara