I'm home on a quick lunch break and then headed into the office, but I'll write quickly while my lunch cooks because I am excited about what happened this morning.
First let me say that Erika's boyfriend called and although they both got inside the fence, neither of them were allowed into the hospital, so poor Erika got no visitors yesterday. I hope she is well! (I have every reason to believe she is, but I bet she is dying to tell everyone that her baby boy turned out to be a girl.) She should be released today, but I can't pick her up since I have to go to work.
The class this morning was a huge blessing from God! I worked hard last night, until all of my brain cells were exhausted, preparing for the additional kids and studying more about impulse control. At 9:58 p.m. I felt like I had prepared as much as I could without making myself more stressed or tired, so I went to sleep.
I woke up at 5:59 this morning. One minute before my alarm. It's so nice not to hear that sound. Then I took some time to pray, but I was feeling really confident and had that sort of peace that only God can give.
Traffic was horrible and people were driving like maniacs. Luckily Fany reminded me that the drive would be an hour instead of 15 minutes, so I arrived with plenty of time to settle in. I even stopped to get coffee, but in the country where people start making phone calls at 5:30 a.m., the coffee shops don't open until 8. Kind of silly.
The director was really helpful and kind. She asked how I wanted the classroom. I said I'd like to put two tables together so she started moving chairs and helped me. Then a bell rang and she went to collect the kids.
To make a long story short, they were all awesome. One has really severe Aspergers. He was unwilling to participate in any manner and said he was really angry about having to be there. But the rest of the kids had fun, participated, and were very well behaved.
We spoke in English the whole time, which was fun for me. They speak pretty good English. I was able to help them out with a couple of common mistakes, which is another way I can serve them.
The director stayed for the first half of the class, but slipped out after she saw how well they were doing. After the class was over, she came back and asked how it went. I told her I thought it was GREAT! She said she had passed several of the kids coming down the stairs and their smile told her it was a success. She also asked them how the class was and they told her it was very good.
We came up with a name for our club. (I told them I would rather have it be a club than a class. "Clubs" appeal to kids with conduct disorder way more than a "class" does.) Our club name is "Dreaming Out Loud". We decided that encompasses the fact that we are learning communication skills as well as preparing for our dreams of the future.
It was so awesome to be me today! I felt really at home in my skin, even though I was stepping out and doing something new. I felt God giving me peace to step out into the unknown with joy and love for the kids. I honestly felt a love for them! I don't know half of their names, but I really love them. And I know that love will grow as I get to know them more.
The teacher asked cautiously if I will be coming back next week. I assured her I will.
She told me she appreciated the way I handled the boy who didn't want to participate - with kindness, but also making the expectations clear. Together, we came with some ideas for how to handle him next week. Unfortunately, it means cutting the other kids' time short, and giving him a private class with two kids he likes and feels comfortable with. My hope is to integrate him back into the classroom with the others eventually, so all of the kids can enjoy one long class and he can broaden his social skills.
This school is right across the street from a ministry where I wanted to serve a year ago, but it didn't work out. I think this is God's way of saying to me, "You were close, but my plans were just a little different."
In any case, I feel that New Generation School is definitely where I am supposed to be right now. The way God showed me His love for the kids made that very clear. Normally I hate waking up before 7 a.m., but I am already looking forward to next week! And the best part is, I believe the kids are too.
The director gave me permission to take photos, so I will do that next week!
