“I hate everyone,” Caden announced on the challenge course the first day of Kearney, Nebraska, T.R.A.C.
“There’s no reason to trust anyone.”
Day 2, his attitude hadn’t changed.
The final day, Caden stood with his group in front of the 10-foot wall they’d successfully scaled. Evergreens shaded them from the summer heat as they took time to debrief.
“What walls do we have in life?” Jason, the facilitator, asked the campers.
Fear. The Past. Drugs and Alcohol.
Every camper mentioned a struggle they needed to overcome.
“I don’t have any friends.” Caden surprised Jason by opening up. Raw pain etched his face.
“I’m your friend.” One of the campers jumped in without hesitating.
“Me, too,” another answered.
Soon every teen affirmed Caden.
“Sounds like you have friends here.” Jason met Caden’s eyes. “Why don’t you think you have friends back home?”
Caden gulped. “Because I’m mean.”
Jason’s eyes softened. “Sounds like that’s something you can change.”
Staff received the following note covered in smiley faces from Caden:
Thank you, T.R.A.C., for a fun time and the memories and teaching me about God. And thanks for letting me come, making me trust others.
A different young man boarded the bus for home, armed with truth to slay his giants of loneliness and isolation.
From Just Three Days: From Heartbreak to Hope compiled and written by Angela Welch Prusia