I met Maulike many years ago when he was just a young man at the tender age of 8 years old. He like many young men at that age had rough time in makingmajor decisions and manhood. Growingup without a consist male in his life to help propel him into manhood and good decisions he was acting out for more attention. He was a really great young man but needed just a little more male presents and directions in his life to keep him moving in the right direction.
With no real programming in the local community I had the opportunity to work with Maulike to help him in these challenges that he was facing alone.Even thou his mom was there for him she was still not able to be there for him as man.
His mom says.
“It was at the age of 8 years old that Mom wasn’t enough. He began to express how he felt sad that he didn’t have a Father to do things with like other boys. He wondered what was wrong with him. I did not realize inviting or looking for a male figure in his life was not helping him. There was no consistency or being intentionally poured into or want to be there for Maulike”
That’s when we began working on getting him what he need to see some true success in not just his life but also in his mother’s life.
Through the meeting with Maulike on a regular basis we have worked through many of the hurtles that have been holding him back. Showing him that making excuses doesn’t get the job done but being focused and prepared for life is what brings the changes he has been looking for. Manhood doesn’t come from the number of years have lived but from the lives you effect with tender love and care and for him that was his mother. .
She says this….
“Mr. Michael saw a need and stepped into help. Day 1 of the program my son came home with a new attitude. “No Excuses” he did his best to have no excuses……. I have been told by his Vice-Principal he observed Maulike making different Peer choices to hang out with……He actually considers me when dinner is ready and doesn’t try to eat it all. My words do a poor job at expressing my heart in this matter……In each person there are seeds, acorns if you will, that have the potential to be forest of Oaks. I truly appreciate all the watering throughout, the years in my Sons life. There will be a harvest.”
Not this part: Maulike family life has always been Mom only. Growing up I conveyed the truth that God the Father is his Father. I knew there would be a day he would want to know his earthly Father. As Mom I knew he would need the influence of others to help him grow into being the Man God created him to be. I did my best to be consistent in church and being friends with families that had both Parents in the family.My secret hope was that a family would invite him to be apart of their Father son events. It happened a few times and those times made an impact. For a short period of time Maulike had a lunch buddy that meant the world to him. I could tell he would get so excited. The following year his didn’t see much of his buddy. It was at the age of 8 years old that Mom wasn’t enough. He began to express how he felt sad that he didn’t have a Father to do things with like other boys. He wondered what was wrong with him. I did not realize inviting or looking for a male figure in his life was not helping him. There was no consistency or being intentionally poured into or want to be there for Maulike. I began to see my Son really act out for more attention. At the age of 10 he began to ask about his Father. I explained to Maulike, as I have in times past, Howard chose not to be with us. I would affirm him. His Grandmother helped me realize he was blaming me for not making his Father stay with us. She explained to him, “Mom cannot make anyone do anything they don’t want to.” The sporadic help I received from some men was not enough. He had no one to call his own. We had attended New Vision and some programs for Single Parent families. I learned of the Kings Men program. This program has Godly Men who mentor Young Men who have no Father in their lives. This program is amazing and makes a difference in my sons life through the one on one interaction and bible teaching. They also teach life lessons on giving back to the community and investing in others. It is through this program Mr. Michael and Maulike have entered into a discipleship relationship. Mr. Michael saw a need and stepped into help. Day 1 of the program my son came home with a new attitude. “No Excuses” he did his best to have no excuses. He began to own his _____, you name it, he began to take ownership. What I have tried years to train and instill in my child took this man of God 1 class. The continuation of classes brought about such a dramatic change in my son. I have been told by his Vice-Principal he observed Maulike making different Peer choices to hang out with. He was so proud of Maulike. My son washes the dishes without talking back. He cares for his animals. He actually considers me when dinner is ready and doesn’t try to eat it all. My words do a poor job at expressing my heart in this matter. I am more than grateful for Mr. Michael, The Den, Moving Forward Program and Kings Men. In each person there are seeds, acorns if you will, that have the potential to be forest of Oaks. I truly appreciate all the watering through out the years in my Sons life. There will be a harvest.