A Bittersweet Day

For those of you who don't know, today was my birthday.  I am 23. I haven't been so excited or expectant for a birthday in a long time.  I feel that it is going to be a beautiful year.  I am praying that for me, year 23 is my Psalm 23 year.  I want to truly live my life like the Lord is my Shepard. I want to walk without fear.  I want to rest beside those cool waters.  I want to follow His voice alone.

 

I woke this morning feeling good. I put on one of my favorite skirts—a flowy-pink one, all faded from over use. I pulled on my brown tights and yellow high-heels and felt real good. Things just got better when I got three happy birthday calls before 7:30.

 

But things got challenging almost as soon as I got to school.  My Christian teacher friend told me that she needed to talk with me.  I could sense that it was not good.  She told me that my principal wanted her to tell me that she thought that I was playing favorites with the children of my friends from the country.  I admit that I reacted in anger and defensiveness. I have many faults, but having favorites is not one of them. I honestly love all of my children and really couldn't tell you who I liked best.  They are all so different, so beautiful. To be told that I am favoring certain students really hurt—especially since not a single teacher or administrator on staff here has actually seen me teach.  But I am trying to let it go because I know that it is simply not true.  I have no remorse or feelings of conviction.

 

Right after I left there, I ran into a fellow corps member who is teaching in the high school.  She was really shaken up. She told me that she was planning on resigning today.  She is my closest TFA friend here, so that really made me sad.

 

I went to class and things got much better. My children were all in a line, looking beautiful. Just seeing their faces brings me such joy.  I love them so much.  And of course, several children were wishing me happy birthday and eagerly shoving presents into my hands.  Crazy M gave me luke-warm orange juice and a half-eaten carton of yogurt. One of my students brought me a extra-dark chocolate candy bar.  I really am not a big fan of chocolate, but I think I could be trained into liking that dark chocolate stuff.

 

But things really took a turn for the worst around 9:00. It really is a long story, but I will try to keep it short. I went to make copies only to find the office locked up. Several staff members were sitting outside and told me no one was allowed in. I could see cops inside as well as one of my students, though not from my homeroom.  I was immediately worried, but could do nothing. I later found out that there was a huge custody battle that went down in the office for nearly three hours. The cops came to take my girl and her sister away from their mom. The mom just happened to be at the school (not expected by the police) and understandably became distraught. Soon, the girl's father and paternal grandmother came from another reservation. The girl's auntie and maternal grandmother arrived too. Soon, there was a huge verbal blow-up that occurred in the office—all in the presence of my girl and her sister.  It soon turned to blows.  My poor baby was traumatized. She cried for over two hours straight.  She eventually slipped into shock, hyper-venelated and passed out.  An ambulance came and family members were led through the hallways in handcuffs, screaming, cursing and weeping along the way.  Outside, the families on the paternal and maternal sides met up. They soon started going at each other and more were arrested.  At one point, the police were so aggressive, the grandmother's arm was broken, which turned people on the police.  It was unbelievable.

 

When I heard what happened to that little girl and her sister, I just cried. My principal said that they gave custody to the father on a different rez so I may never see her again. What is wrong with people? What is wrong with this place?  How could they put this child through this?  IThis is the fifth custody battle that occurred on school grounds this week.  I know what is wrong—it is Satan. He is trying to kill our children.  Well, your time here is up Satan.  The Light is moving in.  Darkness had to flee!

 

Please, please pray for this little girl and her sister. Pray for our school. Pray that the Light drives out darkness.

 

In spite of all this, I have peace.  I know that I am where God wants me.  I am doing more than just teaching—I am brining the Light and Life of Jesus Christ.

 

Pray, pray, pray

B.

P.S. My students have a S.S. test tomorrow. Please pray that S, K and S get As on their test.  It would mean so much to them as they have failed every test so far.