Stateside work

The work not only continues in Honduras, but it continues Stateside as well.

My position at my teaching job just changed for the third time this year. I am adjusting to my middle school Spanish classes and a high school computer class. On my first day of computer class, on Tuesday of this week, a student slept through the entire class. Even when I would address him directly, he would act as though he couldn't hear me. After class, I was able to speak with him. I was a little surprised he didn't blow me off altogether and just leave. We talked about what a waste it would be if he slept through this class because he would just have to take it again later. He agreed. The next day he came in, mouth running full speed. Through his commentary, we determined that we live just a few blocks from each other in Detroit. "Well, party at your house then!" was his response. I will say that I love the connection that is made with some of my students when they find out I live in Detroit. Since that day, he has done his work and stayed awake. I am pleased because the previous teacher told me that he would be surprised if I could get him to do anything. There are several in the class with tough shells. I pray that it is only a matter of time before I get through to them.

In my Spanish classes, I am challenging my kids to give to the Honduran scholarship program. I am confident they will rise to the occasion.

Sometimes work in the city can be heart breaking.

As my grad school load has lightened, (Well, sort of. I begin thesis writing as opposed to having to attend classes.) I am now able to work with the youth group at church, which I have been wanting and needing to do for a while now. The first few weeks went well. I was welcomed very openly by the kids and leaders. I was even asked to share my testimony in a couple of weeks. Though there are kids from a variety of backrounds, everyone got along well, until last week.

Some tension had been present between some of the consistent attenders and some of the neighborhood kids who float in and out, but it exploded on Thursday. All in all, it was a great night because we, as a group, were able to serve a dozen homeless men staying in the building by hosting some game shows for them. They received some prizes but we mostly just had a good time and shared many smiles and laughs. However, lurking under it all was Satan trying to stir up trouble. Some very inappropriate things were done and said, resulting in the removal of one boy from youth group. The things that were said tapped into a very painful experience that another boy had had in his past, thus, causing tension between the two boys. It was a situation in which a lot of very deep pain was poignantly evident. On one hand, I was saddened to see the depth of that which must be overcome in order for these boys to experience love; but on the other hand, I was hopeful. The word watershed came to mind. I truly hope that the situation causes these boys to reach a new level of honesty and growth within themselves and that that would spread throughout the group. In the meantime, please be praying for reconciliation between these boys and for spiritual growth to occur that would allow the group to be reconciled to the boy who is not allowing anyone "in" right now.