An orphan - despite having parents

I bumped into Paul* at Heelal Youth Centre again, and asked him how he was doing. His parents were divorced, and while his father wasn't really interested in him, his mother faced many problems and would often argue with Paul. Paul had started drinking regularly, as well as taking soft drugs. He hadn't done well at school, and had decided to quit school. His father had unexpectedly asked him to come live with him. He wanted to be involved in Paul's life, and Paul liked the idea. He had gone back to school, and quit alcohol and soft drugs. But then his father had told him to move out - he didn't want Paul living with him any longer! "You are responsible for your own life," I told Paul. "You can change things by making the right choices, like finishing school." Pray that Paul would take courage, despite the rejection he faces.

HUERFANO, A PESAR DE TENER PADRES – Países Bajos

Me tropecé con Paul* en el Centro Juvenil Heelal, y le pregunté cómo estaba. Sus padres se divorciaron y, mientras que su padre no se preocupaba realmente por él, su madre enfrentaba muchos problemas y discutía a menudo con Paul. Él ha comenzó a tomar alcohol y a consumir drogas blandas. Como no le iba bien en el colegio, decidió abandonarlo. Inesperadamente su padre le pidió que se vaya a vivir con él y se quiso involucrar en la vida de Paul quien estuvo de acuerdo. Paul volvió al colegio, y dejó el alcohol y las drogas. Pero después su padre lo echo de la casa porque no quería vivir más con Paul. Le dije a Paul que “es responsable de su propia vida.” “Puedes cambiar las cosas tomando las decisiones correctas, como finalizar el colegio”, le aconseje. Ora para que Paul tome ánimo a pesar del rechazo que siente.