Loud words woke me up: “Switch them!” Coming out of a groggy state, I heard them again: “Switch them!” I chuckled because I knew that the Lord had given me an answer to a situation that had hung over us for a year. There are always going to be problems with personalities and relationships in any group of people. This problem involved two sets of house parents and two rebellious, uncooperative teenagers. Neither case related to the other, except for the continual attitude problems of the girls.

The first couple met with us to say they couldn’t have Susy* in their home any longer. She disrupted the lives of the other eleven girls and their own biological three with her attitude and disobedience. As I listened to the husband state their situation, his wife’s eyes pleaded with Joanne and I to come up with an answer. They had talked with, counseled, and prayed for this child for months. Suggestions from others were acted upon, but nothing worked. We saw their desperation but explained that the only option left would be to transfer the girl to another orphanage.

The house parents left the meeting with the weight of their hearts holding them to a slow walk. They felt they couldn’t let Susy leave Shadow. That meant separation from her older sister, who would remain in their home.

Didn’t God have a plan of some kind? My heart cried out for an answer.

The second couple also dealt with a difficult girl. I didn’t know it at the time, but they were leaning toward leaving the orphanage as house parents. As I talked and prayed with them, I could see the struggle in Vilma* as she dealt with the disrespect, abusive words, and attitudes.

Both couples continued to pray for their situations. Lord, show me what we can do. These parents are good people, and yet they are being torn apart by these two girls. I fought my frustration and the lack of answers.

Late one afternoon I was getting out of my car, and as the garage door went down, a call came in. The house father demanded I get back to the orphanage immediately. In my weariness, I asked the Lord for wisdom and energy as I drove back. I entered the house to an angry house father who jerked the door open for me; a jaw-clenching, red-faced girl sitting on a bunk bed; and a teary-eyed house mother who sat on another bed.

“Tell me what happened,” I asked, not really wanting to hear the story. It would be a similar story from the past, and I didn’t know what to do. Lord, I need to see this situation with Your eyes. I don’t have the answers, but You do.

“I can’t do this anymore! I’m done!” blurted out Vilma. “I can’t be a house mother any longer. I quit.” The battle with Karla*, filled with rebellious explosions, had gone on for several days.

For the sake of everyone involved, decisions had to be made now. Would we let these qualified house parents leave over one child? Karla had been a part of the orphanage for several years but had turned into a tyrant when she entered puberty. Was it time for the stress filled house parents to quit, or should the girl leave? My thoughts had taken several twists and turns before I had any answer.

*Name has been changed.