Reuters reports Nigerian police have rescued 300+ men and boys from abusive treatment facilities. Their families thought these schools would straighten out their wayward sons and teach them Islamic beliefs. Instead, the victims were chained, beaten and sometimes sexually assaulted.
One of the captives, 33-year old Lawal Ahmad described his two years in one of these supposed treatment centers.
“They were just beating, abusing and punishing us every day with the name of teaching us,” he said through tears, adding “they are not teaching us for the sake of God.”
There are multitudes of troubled young men in every country, and plenty of places “not teaching them for the sake of God.”
Lord, raise up godly men around the world to shelter troubled youngsters, teaching them to be righteous adults, committed husbands, involved fathers and compassionate, loving leaders in their homes and communities–for Your sake. Amen.
I’m not the one to lead young men,
and it’s best I do not try,
for if you knew me, way back when,
you’d have called me Captain Bligh.
My words were usually lash enough
to end yearning to resist,
but for those who wanted ‘tough’,
I’d gladly use a fist.
But after that I’d let it go,
and bygones became themselves,
with a quiet urge to know
that my patience should not be delved.
But there’s always one who’d challenge seek,
and have liquid meals for many a week.
You, Captain Bligh? Not the Andrew I know, bless your gentle soul!
I have my secrets.