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| When You Start to Forget... |
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I work in a rough neighborhood. Most of the time I don't even think about it though. I just go, teach, come home and do it all over again the next day.
Then, sometimes, something smacks you upside the head to make you remember what you do every day.
This happened about a year and 1/2 ago for the first time. One of my students had his father kill his mother then kill himself. The family was left with no parents and only a 17 year old, drug addict brother to care for them.
It was horrible. I cried, screamed and fought to adopt the child, but the state didn't want to "break up the family".
18 months later, he's still at my school, hugs me all the time and, sadly, we forget the horrors and time heals some wounds.
That brings me to this week. I must have started to forget where I work again because a man came up the street where we play at recess with a gun and shot another man in the arm. A class of students saw the whole thing happen, we went on "lockdown", the police were all over...
It just made me remember that I work in a crud-o place. So, I decided to look it up and see how crud-o it really was. Some of these stats are staggering to me.
Average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) in 2004: $27,317 (Individual Income Tax Returns)
| Here: |  $27,317 | | State: |  $50,523 |
People here make 1/2 of what the rest of the state makes. (Not a shocker to me.)
Residents with income below the poverty level in 1999:
| This zip code: | 22.5% | | Whole state: | 12.5% |
More people are living in "poverty" here. (Not a shocker to me.)57% of the 33### zip code residents lived in the same house 5 years ago. Wow. Lots of movement. Didn't notice that before... for me it's a new student here, a new student there. I didn't really quantify it.
The majority of the population have less than a high school degree. Sad. Sad. Sad. Hard to motivate kids when their parents can barely read.According to our research of public records there were 94 registered sex offenders living in 33### zip code in early 2007. Jimminy! Whoa! That's a lot!
So, I guess I just need to remember sometimes that "going to work" is something I need to be careful doing... |
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| To add a comment to "When You Start to Forget..." |
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| October 19, 2007 |
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Hi Kelly,
Sounds like we work in the same neighborhoods.
I shall keep you in our prayers.
Pastor Aminata |
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| October 19, 2007 |
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Kelly,
You are truly on the front lines. What a privilege to be called to such a mission field. I personally believe--no theology here, just a gut reaction to the what the Word says about children---that you have a greater responsibility before God for the call on your life because God has put you with children. It's the whole millstone thing. Children can not go out and buy their own cd's, dvd's, pick thier church or choose if they even go to church. They have no power to do these things and must rely on the adults around them for their knowledge and growth. Anyway, what an awesome privilege that God has placed you with children.
My family works in the children's ministry at our church. I count it a privilege each Sunday I serve that God would trust me (us) with His precious ones. We will be praying for you and the children you are called to. |
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| October 19, 2007 |
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Kelly, Until two years ago I lived in such an area....but I loved it there. I had my beautiful house built in 1911 with it's stain glassed windows, oak woodwork, clawfoot bathtub, and builtins with leaded glass. I lived there for almost 30 years. I always felt I was there for children, I only had one but even when mine was grown if I was outside there were kids in my yard or on my porch, starving for an adult to talk, and listen!!!
I used to give rides to the mall or skating rink. Sometimes my hubby and I would find work for some of them to do so they could earn money to go to the pool, other times we'd gift it. After my husband died within a few weeks while at work my house got broke into....I was never scared there....but everyone else was always scared for me.
Everytime the media told of a shooting or robbery a family member or coworker was saying that happened your neighborhood didn't it? I got so tired of hearing that I prayed for a response...and it was "No it happened in your city"
Graham Cook says what if the biggest proble we face isn't crime, drugs, etc....what if it is the lack of goodness...Do a word search on goodness Oh my come on brothers and sisters!!!!
Poverty is part of the issue, but you musts admit....as a believer...the real deal is that the church needs to be what we are to be....more powerful, more loving, more giving, less fearful, less selfish, less prideful. We need to be more intimate with our Lord that we may grow up into the fullness. I don't think Jesus would have been afraid in these neighborhoods....and yea thou I walk...or hey how about not loving our lives unto death?
If I were to die loving someone or doing what I felt I was to do...I'd consider it an honor.
I am not afraid. I was just thinking the other day....what if we has believers started really acting like we aren't ashamed to be believers? I mean everywhere we went...what if we were praying without ceasing and intereacting with the spirit all the time....and heard what to do...and did it? Hey if just the believers from my home church started living like that ....I mean and then when I think of all the churches in my city and all the people that fill those churches....wow!!!! And when I say Come Lord Jesus ....I'm saying rise to the surface in Your people....that the world may see your Glory!!!! (oh am I preaching?)
I can't help it I love the life He's given!!! |
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| October 19, 2007 |
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| I wish I would have proof read better....please forgive my typos |
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| October 19, 2007 |
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| May God continue to use you in all that you do. It takes a special person... |
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| October 19, 2007 |
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Hi Kelly,
The children you impact will be eternally touched. You may never know the full reach you have till the day you stand in front of God. They will remember "that teacher who..." and God will honor His Word. Keep it up. You are in my prayers. |
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| October 19, 2007 |
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| Forgot your star, silly me! |
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| October 20, 2007 |
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| wow, Kelly. Yer neighborhood has a dark cloud over it, but Jesus has put you there to be a shinin light. I'll add you to my prayer list, that God's hand of protection will be on you and that He will lead hurtin kids yer way so He can minister to them through you. |
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| October 20, 2007 |
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It's funny how I got to be at this school...
When I was younger I wanted to join the Peace Corps and help. My spare-dad said, "Why don't you work at an inner-city school. There are so many kids to help there!" I thought he was nuts at the time.
Then I graduated and got a job. I've been teaching for 11 years. Many of those years were in shiny, happy middle class schools.
Then, I was placed in a position where I had to find a new school because enrolment was dropping at my school.
I had principals calling me, emailing me, begging me to go other places - pretty, fancy schools. But, instead, I was called to the school I'm at. I would never have chosen it if it hadn't been placed on my heart...
I know I'm supposed to be there for now. I just hate it when "reality" is so close to my classroom door. |
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| October 20, 2007 |
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| What happened to the child or children! Are you still pursuing the adoption or foster care! My heart breaks to hear this news! I pray that you continue to make an impact in the place. It only takes one person to change a city! Jesus! Once he shows up that poverty stricken place can come to life! Look up Revials in city (almalonga guatemala) |
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| October 20, 2007 |
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| I was working in a Title 1 school until I went on temp. disability this year for my Lupus. It is heart breaking and also frightening at times. If I was healthy and younger, I would have a house full of kids that I would adopt from the school. And I would love them! I just pray that the time I have spent there I have shown at least one of them that Christ lived in my heart and made a difference in their little life. Then all of those days that I worked and was in pain would be worth it! God bless you and keep you! Kat |
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| October 25, 2007 |
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A sobering story. Bless you Kelly, for being there. May God continue to protect you.
Cathy |
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| November 10, 2007 |
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It was neat this week. There was a rainbow in my classroom, and a bunch of my kids said, "God is making a rainbow in our room!"
It brought a tear to my eye. I'm so glad they knew that God was touching them... even though I can't talk about Him with them other than saying, excitedly, "You're RIGHT!" |
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