Evidence of a Broken World... (And Other Ramblings)

...as if anymore evidence is needed! What's that saying? The proof is in the pudding. [I wonder where that saying comes from. How did it get started? What was in the pudding? What did it prove?]

This note (minus real names) was intercepted by one of my 10 or 11 year-old informants on Friday:

I [heart] U (girl) More then ever and (boy) he didn't hit any body that hurt you I did have you ever stayed the knight at his house no pluse if we do go out ever I won't be bad and I won't do the stuff that you tell me not to do if we don't are we still friends call me or write me back and I was going out with (girl) but not write now because I want you. I [heart] U

This reminds me of a couple conferences I had with parents in the fall. I was concerned after a student announced openly that he had slept with another student at the school. When I addressed this with both parents, they responded in a very matter-of-fact way about the students watching TV or movies in each others rooms and falling asleep together. 

So, so sad. Obviously, these parents living in darkness will have no concept of why this is wrong. They live and teach their children according to the world's standards. How can I expect anything other than the behavior I'm getting from some of my students when they are being trained to serve the wrong god?

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On another note... I came home this afternoon, used the bathroom, washed my hands and noticed a long blue mark on my neck. It easily washed off, but I have been consumed by the question Why didn't anyone tell me about a blue mark on my neck two or more inches long? I suppose I can understand the kids not saying anything. Perhaps they aren't trained in that sort of etiquette. It's not like this was a day where I had little to no interaction with any adults, though. In fact, we had a staff meeting after school where I sat at a table with other teachers. So, still I wonder, Why didn't anyone say anything?

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I had a nice evening. Good conversation. Good food. Good times. I got to tell about the wonderful experience on my missions trip over spring break. I like talking about that. About our time being stopped at the border. About how welcoming and loving the people are. About working with the kids. About working with the missionaries.

I miss seeing the brothers and sisters in Los Fresnos and Matamoros and their love for the Lord. They obviously weren't perfect humans [perfect human, isn't that an oxymoron?], but they didn't seem as consumed with treasures and schedules as I notice around me in El Dorado. Many of them were living a life in service of the Lord. Doing, for the glory of God. God first, me last. That's a mindset that we are missing. It's just so, so awesome to see a such a love for Christ.