Having left care at the age of 17, Max was now living in a flat on his own, but the world immediately began to cave in around him.
People he thought were friends began to call round, to borrow money and then to beat him up. Max thought the abuse was inevitable. What was he worth anyway? He couldn’t speak up and he still thought these people were his friends. Max couldn’t find a voice, he was abused, scared and alone in life apart from his beloved dog.
But then…
Max began to attend the agriculture project at Caring For Life. Working with animals was all Max had ever wanted to do, because animals listen, and they just want care and affection.
When the abuse finally became life-threatening, Max spoke up to a Caring For Life support worker on his project. He would only talk when he sat on the dusty stable floor, his dog alongside, with the support worker sitting next to him. It took all day, but Max found his voice in a place of safety, a place familiar through its sights, sounds and smells.
Max has a long and painful journey ahead, but he now has a voice and he has been heard. Trying to help Max stay safe is also a long road for Caring For Life, one which will be full of twists and turns.
Our prayer is that Max will come to know Christ, the one who Christmas is all about; the Son of God who humbled Himself and was born on a dusty stable floor. We know that the Lord understands Max better than any ever can, and he heard Max’s cries when no human being could.
The young man who found his voice in a stable needs to understand the reality of what happened in a stable over 2,000 years ago. He needs to understand his own need of forgiveness and the meaning of Christ’s death for him.
Our prayer is that Max, and many more of those we support, will come to know Christ. We covet your prayers.
