Approximately sixty years ago, it was my good fortune in the providence of God to be adjudicated by the Juvenile Court of MN and placed under the supervision of a Probation Officer whose name I cannot recall and who subsequently effected my residence in The Victory Farm for Boys in Ortonville, MN.
The ministry of the Victory Farm for Boys did not last long after my departure in 1955; maybe another 5 years.
At that time, Jim and Barb Larsen were the resident house-parents, both of whom came to be my surrogate parents, to my great delight and good fortune.
Words cannot do justice to their impact on my life. Each served as a role model. Jim, as a father and husband; and Barb as a wife and mother.
Through their lives and ministry I came face to face with the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and, again, in the good providence of God had my eyes of understanding opened to the Truth.
Through their lives I was able to experience a "normal" childhood.
At the same time, I must acknowledge the gracious acceptance on the part of my classmates at Ortonville High School. Without their acceptance, life would have been miserable. With their acceptance, life was awesome.
For their acceptance and contributions, (the Larsen's most especially and my classmates as well) the extent of which I only came to appreciate in my later Adult years, I am eternally grateful.
May their tribe increase.
