Unlike last year, I am really making an effort to get know the new corps members. So, before leaving for the fair I had dinner with the new 5th grade teacher, whom I am very fond of. I think she is going to be an excellent teacher. Joining us for dinner were three other TFA teachers. During that time I realized how truly jaded our generation is when it comes to issues of faith. One girl referred to religion as a "buffet" from which we choose what we like and don't like. I had to refrain from shuttering. I just let them talk, but noted the different views each of them had on faith.
R and I headed out to the fair after dinner. I brought my camera and had way too much fun. I saw so many of my students I couldn't help but snap away. The first shot is of our new 5th grade teacher.
I then went home to attend K's 9th birthday party. When I arrived, they had already eaten dinner, but we sang and we had some cake and ice cream. Here are a few shots from that event:
So after a short while at K's house, I decided to take her and her cousin to the fair. Here is K getting her shoes on. Don't you love her face?:
When we got back to the fair, K and I just walked round and round the pow-wow grounds, much like teens did at the football games in high school. After about two laps, we ran into a group of girls who were in the fifth grade last year. I know that most of the girls really like me a lot and want me to like them as well. However, they are undoubtedly the most disrespectful and rebellious kids in the elementary. Most of them are really into some heavy stuff. Anyway, K and I are walking but are soon stopped as this gang of girls literally surrounds us. They are really close and begin taunting me. They start running their hands through my hair and flicking it around. They called me names like "poodle" and "baby doll" referring to my hair. I was really really ticked off and a wave of emotions swelled over me. I haven't been degraded like that since I was a young girl and I really wanted to stick it to those girls. But K was with me and I didn't want to give them more power than they had. So I leaned forward and looked into the eyes of the ring-leader, a girl with so much pain in her heart. I said "Baby, one day you are going to have to make a choice whether to keep heading on the path you are on or get some help. When you are ready to change, I'll be here. I care about you." And then I took K and walked away.
K later asked me about the exchange I just told her that those girls were hurting and didn't know how to deal with it. My thoughts were only reaffirmed when the ring-leader and a friend tried to cut K and I off were their bicycle as we were walking to my truck to go home. She kept calling out for me saying things like, "I have a message from the boy you came with! He is waiting for you and wants to snag you. Hey you, come back here! Don't walk away from me when I am talking to you! Hey-you're not my friend anymore!" I never slowed down and never even acknowledged her, but she grieved me. I was pondering how to deal with her in the future and I feel like God is urging me to say this whenever she is asking out, "I am sorry you are hurting. I love you." Please pray for her and the other hurting girls on Pine Ridge.
B
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