Each week the Santoro family brings a group of guys that live with them from George Junior Republic. (GJR is a rehabilitation center for young men who have found themselves in trouble with the law.) I must say that many times, these guys are the only ones who seem to be fully engaged on a Wednesday night. It's as if they have already known what it is to live apart from Christ, so now they want to find the reality of what it means to live a life that honors Him. Mike & Carrie Jo do such an amazing job at not only serving as authority figures for them, but often as surrogate parents. What a ministry they have! It's hard not to get attached to the students who come, as they are excellent young men beginning to make great decisions for themselves. That's why Wednesday was bittersweet for me. Chuck Bates was no longer there. Chuck sat front row every week, soaking up God's Word. I was sad not to have him around any more, but thrilled for him all the same. You see, Chuck went home to Kentucky. Anyway Chuck, if you get to read this after getting home, know that we'll miss you, and that we're proud of you! Keep in touch, bro!
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