Before You Run Away

In Honor of National Youth Homelessness and Runaway Awareness Month...

Before you run away, let me tell you what it's really like out there on your own.

You think, like I did, it's going to be so cool, I can finally do what I want and make my own decisions. Oh yeah, like deciding what park bench you're going to sleep on, or where you can warm your frozen toes, or what garbage bin you're going to eat out of.

I lived out on the road for 2 years, homeless, hitchhiking around the USA. I was beaten, robbed (of the little bit of money & clothes I had), frozen, starving, kidnapped, raped many times, forced into dancing & prostitution, and nearly killed. Yet I had a safe, warm home to go to. Not where I felt important or loved, but still I had a place to go.

Many teens may not have a safe warm place at home. Some will end up prostitutes within the first 24 hours after they leave home. Some will end up raped, kidnapped, or even worse--killed. You think it won't be you or your child, but think again--I thought the same thing.

Luckily I prayed every time when in a dangerous or life threatening situation and God came through and set me free.

Maybe you're not a teen but know someone who is. Maybe you're not a runaway, but you know someone who is or is about to...

Won't you help me by raising awareness to keep teens off the street. Stand Up For Kids is one of the few organizations that help kids stay safe when they're homeless. Won't you support their cause and see what you can do to help your local chapter? http://www.standupforkids.org/

Another way you can help is by purchasing my book "Run For Your Life" which is my life story of all my encounters running away After teens read this, they'll be running in a whole new direction--not to all the things I did, but to life in Christ! Books are available on my website http://www.atime2heal.org/.