but being a PK sure does suck: part one

God has put a dream into my heart. It all started with this vision i had in june 2007:

It’s not exactly a rich house. Its not all that new either, but it’s a home.
In summer kids, teenagers and troubled parents play on the lawns, toast marshmallows over the bonfire, push each other on the swings, and lounge around the pool together.
In winter homeless men and woman, lost children and scared teenagers gather round a roaring fire, sing songs, preach God’s glory and encourage each other in their walk with God.
Not one person is turned away, not one person isn’t welcome. The door is always open. Anytime of the day or night, anyone is welcome.
People are feed, not only physical food, but spiritual food. People seek refuge in this place. They look forward to the love and warmth the family who owns the house gives them.
It’s not a place to stay, it’s not a place to pray, it’s not a place to be feed and it’s certainly not a place to be loved in.
No!! It’s a home. A home where the accomdation is free if needed. It’s a home where people seek God in. It’s a home where people are given the essentials and its certainly a home where no matter what your past is like, you are loved and cared for.

Since then God has placed an even bigger calling on my life to reach out to pastors kids. Having been one myself up until last year i know how tough it can get. If you look up statistics on it, you'll discover how shocking it really is. About 80% of pastors kids (PK's) will have depression sometime in their life. They have a higher chance of self harming and eating disorders. Still the list goes on. Yet 95% of PK's say that their time in the church was good. Something doesn't quite match up!!

God has placed a calling in my life to open a home for PK's, provide mentors which aren't involved in their immediate church, and just cater to their needs.

This 'home' i'm going to open will be a place for them to come and be themselves. Let down their walls, learn to trust people and discover how to live with the expectations placed on their shoulders.

Being a pastors kid is one of those things which from the outside look great, but the moment you become one you discover that it isn't all it lives up to be. Don't get me wrong, it certianly has shaped me into who i am today which i'm proud of, but being a PK sure does suck.