Chapter 9: Breaking the Silence
Wess was tortured at meal time by the sadistic house parents.
BEWARE THE GREEN BEANS. Wess was told by another student that babies came from eating green beans. He resolved to never eat any, and that led to more beatings. He was never asked why and if he had been, he would have told them. We need to listen to our children.
BACKRUBS IN THE NIGHT. Sexual abuse was also going on. Older boys to younger boys, and the the house father to the girls.
A GOD TO LOVE? In spite of these abuses, Wess never stopped loving God. He tells a horrific story of his “conversion”, although not be techniques that he would recommend.
THE UNRAVELING. Wess finally tells his mother in a brief conversation. Then the house parents find out and he is told to hold a candle burning at both ends. At age 10 he had enough and let the candle burn down until his fingers were being burnt. That was the beginning of the end for the abuse.
THE MAKING OF AN ADVOCATE. God somehow redeemed this ugly situation and turned Wess into an advocate for children.