| Thursday December 6th was an emotional day for the Joy House boys home. It was filled with tears, hugs, and goodbyes. Eli Riddell was graduating and moving home from the Joy House. After Eli’s 15 months in the home hearing his voice, and having his company had become normal . . . And I knew that I would miss him. The other boy residents shared in the tears that night. I get emotional as I write this now. Eli’s graduation and going home from the Joy House that night was special. Yes, in many ways supernatural. Allow me to explain.
When Eli Riddell came into the Joy House there were many months that I was uncertain what we were going to be able to do with him. Eli had so many quirks and things that frustrated the whole house. There were moments early on that the arguments, disrespect, and disobedience would reach a point all that was left was prayer. After every huge blowup I tried to remind him that we would make it together. We would get through this if he just trusted me. Every situation would spark long discussions that would seemingly go nowhere. But somewhere along the way these discussions became way more meaningful. Eli started asking me about Jesus and asking me all kinds of Bible questions.
One of the fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5 is longsuffering. For houseparents, longsuffering is one of the fruits of the Spirit that is desperately needed and it is tested daily. Getting tired and weary of the task at hand happens some days . . . But what wonderful blessing it to watch a transformation! The Eli that moved into the Joy House in August of 2019 is not the Eli that moved out in December 2021. According to Eli’s own testimony, the Lord changed his heart! The Lord used these long conversations and Bible study to work in his soul a new way of thinking. As Eli packed his father’s truck to go home that night I was reminded that our God is still at work. He is still changing lives. Our God can be trusted. Our God is still at work!
Eli is my friend and I will miss him so very much! | 
