June has been a busy month, with school ending, graduations, and the beginning of summer. KeeKee has been telling us about her 8th grade graduation since we met her in November. I knew I would never hear the end of it if I, for any reason, missed this special occasion. When her family moved to Richmond in February, and she subsequently missed a month of school, I was concerned that this would jeopardize her chances of graduating. Later, I learned that she and her cousins and brother
who were attending the same middle school were having a hard time with the teachers, and they felt they were being unfairly punished for the misbehavior of a few. Again, I worried that she might not be able to graduate. After working for 8 months in Oakland public schools, I can say that passing any grade is significant, especially as a student gets closer to high school. There are boys in our neighborhood that can’t be older than 13 years old who we see out on the corner most days, during normal school hours. Why aren’t they in school, we wonder. How long has it been since they sat in a classroom? I’ve learned not to take for granted my upbringing and everything around me that fed the notion that education was important and not in the realm of a child’s choice. I’ve learned that my values have actually been a product of an upper middle-class environment and that my assumptions cannot be applied generally to every situation. Life presents many choices and for every person we know, there are so many stories behind that person’s response to their circumstances. With all that said, it was with much joy and pride that I received the news that KeeKee would indeed be graduating on June 7th. Unfortunately, it turned out that KeeKee’s family only received two tickets to attend the graduation ceremony and in a family with ten kids, I was far down the list. Fortunately, I did get to see KeeKee in the morning of her graduation day so even though I couldn’t see her walk across the stage, I was able to give her a big hug and tell her how proud I was of her. She made quite the beautiful eighth-grade graduate!
KeeKee wasn’t the only graduate this month. I also got to see my kindergartners walk across the stage and accept their “promotion” certificates. It’s difficult to admit, but I’m actually sad to see this school year end. For all the stress and headaches and hair-pulling- frustration of working with these little kids, I will miss seeing them grow and learn (and run around and cause havoc) in the classroom. To be there, next to that little person, and watch that
moment in their eyes when suddenly they could write their name or finally
figured out where to place “G” on the alphabet rug, actually made it all worth the struggles. “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18. 3-5) When I spend time with the kids in my neighborhood, despite all the adverse circumstances around them, I can see the humility, sheer joy and abandon that characterizes the childlike faith about which Jesus spoke. I have learned a new way to trust by watching these children discover the world around them.
I also celebrated the end of school with the 2nd/3rd grade bilingual class that I have been helping since January. I worked with these students on their English reading and comprehension. It was amazing to work with these children and to see their persistence and encouragement of one another. And then, to stand there during the end-of-school festivities and listen to the teacher beam with pride at her pupils who could read, write, and speak in two languages and also perform above proficiency levels in math! Recently I participated in a training on multiculturalism with another one of my service sites. The group was comprised of community leaders representing various congregations and schools from all over Oakland. The spirit in the training was one of unity, while at the same time a willingness to explore and understand the strength and significance of our differences. On the morning of the second day of the training I read this verse: His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 3.10-11) Now, it’s not saying that, in our stunning intelligence, we make God look good by going to church. Actually, our unity reveals God’s great wisdom in that He broke down any barriers that may divide us through the complete and sufficient work of Jesus. At first, I began thinking of this in light of denominational differences and how divided the Church is today. But then God began opening my eyes to the relevance and applicability of this verse to the very things I was learning during the training. He longs to see all people, regardless of race, culture, or ethnicity, drawn together in love and unity. He longs to see peace among the people He has created. It reassured my spirit to know that although we may put new labels or terms to the practice of defining our differences, the idea of unifying and growing stronger through our unique talents and backgrounds was originated, and will be completed, with God.
During my time in Oakland, I have been the one blessed with seeing God do this work in my little corner of the world. I have seen His children of different color, cultural background, and beliefs grow in knowledge and come together in one heart and spirit to pursue truth and love.
