posted
You see...last friday, exactly one week ago, I had a very, very fightening experience (gun, two punches...most of you may remember). For the last 7 days I've been...how can I say...detached from my work. It seemed as if I lost my drive to go there and teach. I didn't spend the amount of time I used to preparing my classes...I taught mechanically all the week...just like a machine. I felt as a recorder, who just spat the subject over and over again. I was even feeling sad that I had to enter the "favela" (slum) to teach. I was thinking about giving up. Why not? My other teaching job pays well enough...why do I have to face this, this...squalor, poverty, this smell, this utter, utter misery every day? Why? I spent the whole week feeling I was dying bit by bit by bit everyday I went to work.
I must confess that I read and wrote to Hatrack much more than usual these few days because I needed some escape to this sad reality. I was...I still am very torn apart.
Today, just an hour and a half ago, I took the bus to come home. It was another very bad teaching day. I had my MP3 player and was just sitting there, eyes closed, listening to some music, when someone touched my arm. There was a child. He had 10, 11 years at most. Ragged and dirty clothes...very poor kid. He had a paper in his hand, and he asked me to read it. It was an address, and he wanted to know if he took the right bus. It was. We talked for about 20 minutes (then I had to go). He didn't know how to read, and never went to school. His name was Francisco. I gave him some money and a bag of cookies. I also gave him the relief association address, so he could go there and receive proper clothing. I also told him that I'd teach him how to read.
Now I can't stop wishing that monday comes soon, so I can teach him. If he comes...when he comes. I wish very, very strongly that he comes. I'm not very religious, but I thought: "God, take him there by monday...you know the kid needs it".
Well...I guess that's it. And sorry for implying that Hatrack was kind of a escape route for me this week.
Posts: 1785 | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
I can't tell you how glad I am that you arethere for those kids, Eduardo. I went to Brazil once, and came within a hair's breadth of staying. So many poor, homeless children. But I was too young, and the group I went with wouldn't leave me, and then, life took over and I didn't go back, which is probably just as well, as I think I would have not been a very good Bride of Christ.
In any case, Eduardo, I join you in the hope that Francisco comes to class on Monday.
Posts: 1664 | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
That's wonderful, Eduardo -- that a child helped you re-capture your faith and belief in what you do (your calling). Even if he doesn't show up Monday, all those other kids need you for the same reason....
posted
There is always tomorrow, and the next bus ride. Hopefully he finds the path to your door. It sounds like yours would be a great place to stop by. Keep up the great work!
Posts: 21 | Registered: Apr 2004
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But I was too young, and the group I went with wouldn't leave me, and then, life took over and I didn't go back, which is probably just as well, as I think I would have not been a very good Bride of Christ.![[Smile]](smile.gif)
