Great Post. I have had what I guess could be called a morbid fascination with the columbine tragedy for a long time. I research it, but not for the sake of knowing everything about it, rather to see into the causes and effects of that day. I go out of my way to talk to people who are hurting, and many of my friends are unstable or depressed (some are in Jail now). but reading about columbine helps me see the worst case that they could do, and I work from there in helping them. someone once said “they wont care how much you know, until they know how much you care” (my father is a youth pastor and tells his leaders that all the time) I use that when I talk to troubled people. like you said the real issue is the root. talk to the outcasts, the cutters, the sluts and lairs, when they see that someone can still care for them even when they think the world hates them, then they can actually grasp that someone (Jesus) Loves them too, and cared enough to die for them. I am thankful that you took this tragedy and answered Gods call to focus on the youth of our world. I have seen the profound impact D2S has had in my life and in my friends lives. thank you.

–Dan

PS: the poem you wrote 2 years ago about columbine and VT, still sends shivers up my spine.

WE ARE COLUMBINE.

I remember one article in particular. It was about the crosses that were first set up to the victims. Someone had set two more up for the shooters. This article was about a friend of theirs who was kneeling at one of them when people came by and spit on her. While I know what they (the shooters) did was wrong, they still left friends behind that were confused and this was not the way to treat them.

Your ministry does so much to reach these kids and their friends, keep up the good work!

It’s tough. But ask open-ended questions and then be quiet. Let the awkward silence overwhelm them until someone breaks and the flood of feedback begins. And silently pray the whole time!