pray for josh

I've been tutoring a boy named Josh over the last 9 months or so. He's in 9th grade, but has the mind of an 8 year old. You don't understand how hard it is for a boy like this to function in inner city Inglewood, until things like this happen . . .

Last week, Josh told his psychologist that he has tried to kill himself multiple times, that his mother has been beating him, that he will kill himself if they let him go back home. He is now being held at a mental hospital, but they will soon send him to a group home, as soon as they can get the court order to have him medicated. He now changed his mind and wants to go home to his grandmother, but no matter what she tries to do, she can't get him out. She can't figure out who's lying or telling the truth. She just doesn't want him medicated and shipped off to a group home, where she may not be able to visit him.

Throughout his life, he's been in and out of foster care. He and his sister have been in the care of his grandmother for the last couple years. Lately, Josh has gotten in more and more trouble, leading to his being suspended from school for threatening a security guard. He has been pushed through the school system and now in the 9th grade, he still cannot even multiply by 2. Recently, one of his good friends was the victim of a gang related crime. He has been jumped at the park, and beaten up. Another of his friends who he borrowed money from threatened to kill him if he didn't pay him back.

He doesn't understand the consequences of his actions, and in a place where the consequences of his actions are very serious. People expect him to understand, to act like a 15 year old, but he can't. Who knows? Maybe being in a group home may be what's best for him. I can't say. I don't have any answers for Josh or his poor grandmother. Please pray for them. Please pray that the system will not be so corrupt in this situation, that people who care will see the truth, and that the truth will matter. Pray that they can have faith that God is with them and is working things out.