Robert was regularly sodomised and brutally bashed by his uncle from the time he was eight until he ran away from home at age 13 to live on the streets. It was safer there. In fact Robert’s home had never been safe. His mother had moved house regularly trying to stay one step ahead of Robert’s violent father.

Robert survived on the streets but also spent time in and out of boys’ homes because of the petty crime he did in order to support himself. He was able to get by in the world as long as the police didn’t catch up with him. Drug use became a way of life.

Some hope dawned for Robert when he met a young woman as he was passing through a country town. He decided to stay and managed to even get his first job at the local tyre centre. After a few months a man happened along who offered Robert much bigger prospects down in Sydney. Robert agreed with his girlfriend that he should go to see what prospects this might have.

When he arrived in Sydney the man who had offered so much was nowhere to be found. Robert was alone in a strange place except that he knew how to survive on the streets. He stopped a lady walking down the street, took $20 from her and ran. But he didn’t run fast enough. Robert was arrested and sent to the Remand Centre at Silverwater to await trial.

Robert was befriended by a Christian inmate who first encouraged him to come to chapel. He started reading the Bible and then began attending the midweek Bible studies.

Robert’s day in court finally came around. He had no family or friends to be there for him so the Chaplain went along to give him support. The judge that day was one of the harsh ones. He said that a crime like this deserves at least five years in gaol. He then began reading the medical and psychological reports detailing Robert’s background. Also in the reports was the fact that Robert had been offered a place in a rehabilitation centre which he could go to once he was released from gaol. This would help him address his drug abuse issues and help him to work through the trauma of his early life.

The judge finally looked up and said, “Let’s give him a go. He can go to this rehabilitation centre for six months. Then we’ll bring him back here and if he’s doing O.K. he might get a suspended sentence.” Amazingly, Robert was released from court. The Chaplain was able to drive him back to the gaol to collect his meagre belongings and then to the rehabilitation centre where he is receiving support to help deal with all his issues.

When Robert is finished with rehab I am wondering what shape our churches need to look like to be able to welcome him into Christian community. What would you say to him if he showed up on Sunday morning?

(Photo credit: CORE materials)