In reading the Bible, I have always struggled with the “bad guys”. Especially when the Old Testament God just starts raining down fire or opening the earth and swallowing them whole. I struggle with whether they were created to be bad guys or if they had a chance. What if someone took a chance on them and tried to fight for them instead of against them?
My heart, not knowing whether itself is good or bad, is typically bent towards those bad guys. Yes, even in a previous life I went so far as to date a few. LOLz
Seriously, something in me starts to build and push around when people are on the brink of giving up on a person or a child due to their bad and impossible behavior.
So that brings us to Andrew. The class bully this month.
We are in Livingstone, Zambia helping teachers at Amazing Grace pre-school and I am with the 3 to 5 year old class along side Andie and Katie. There are about 30 of them and I am typically over stimulated on a daily basis, but, “God doesn’t call the equipped.” No, no he doesn’t.
Andrew is one of the older boys in class and is one of the more excluded ones. He is often times the most violent one, which says a lot considering the entire school is overall, just violent and disobedient. The only reprimand that they will respond to, is, infact, violence from the teachers. Getting spanked with a switch is not so old fashion here.
So one day when Andrew was just incessantly punching a boy from kidney to kidney, I picked him up and took him outside. He is fearing a switch will soon be on it’s way, and I am honestly contemplating it as I am on the brink of insanity. Instead, I asked him some questions. Not patronizing, just general questions. In that moment of madness, the Lord told me to get to know him, not punish him.
Oddly enough, it worked. I asked him about him and just listened. For the remainder of the day, he was an absolute angel. Very gentle and respectful. Since I found this tactic to be fruitful, I continued to try it throughout the week. Every day, I would acknowledge him with kindness and intentional attention. Friday, he was the hero of my story about the Lochness Monster (Scottish accent and all. Keeps them quiet). His behavior was night and day. It was like teaching a life size sour patch.
The truth about Andrew is that he is a legitimately GOOD kid. There is so much GOOD in him and it would have remained stuffed inside if people just kept excluding him and pointing fingers labeling him the bad guy without ever even asking him a valid question about him. It is amazing what treating someone like a respectable human being will do, even if they don’t necessarily deserve it because they are whopping someone in the throat.
If my parents gave me what I deserved in college, I would have been found wanting incredibly so. If they gave up on me, I really don’t know what would have happened in my life. They never did though. And they really do not give up on people, but instead keep investing and treat the least loved like the most honored.
If God had given up on me…because I was just too far gone or too impossible to deal with…man. I don’t ever want to be given up on, especially by the ones I need most. It makes all the difference when you consider someone as they could be rather than label their misbehavior as infinite.
Being as fascinated with this miracle as I was, (be it there weren’t any dead guys leaping around or blind men suddenly realizing I was white), I became attached to Andrew. Favorites are real, don’t judge me. So, I interviewed him. Asked for his permission to post it along with a picture and he said yes. I have a signature as well. A very sophisticated letter ‘p’ was drawn just underneath the interview. A little off-centered, but sufficient.
Me
Andrew
Andrew, what is your last name?
Andrew.
No, your surname. Andrew … what?
Sykol.
How old are you, Andrew Sykol?
5 years old. 6 .. 7 .. 8 .. B .. C .. D
Right. Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Yes, yes! Two.
Two?! Brothers or sisters?
Older brothers. They’re mean.
Well that explains your behavior, but we’ll pyscho-analyze you another time. This is a more casual interview.
B .. C .. D ..
Right. What is your favorite color, Andrew?
Yes. RED!!!!
Good color. One of my personal favorites to decorate with. You get it. What is your favorite animal?
(Puts his finger up in my face gesturing for me to wait, then runs away to dance. Comes back 5 minutes later.)
Ten! (With all 10 fingers up)
Ahh..do you like to dance?
Yes, I shake my bohdi-makah. (No clue.)
Interesting. What is your favorite part about school?
Two! (This is, coincidentally, when school lets out.)
What do you like to eat?
Eggs and bread. I like planes and helicopters. (Starts flying around the room making helicopter noises.)
Impressive, I can hardly finish my second helpings let alone an airplane. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A bottle. A BIG BOTTLE!!!
You do read ambitious. Who is your hero?
ME! Biggie!!!
Yeah, me too. Alright, I will see you Monday, Andrew.
Bye teachah (as he gives me a big hug and just wraps everything around me.)
Hey, Andrew. I love you.
(Smiles..giggles..runs off to shake his bohdi-makah.)
UPDATES
Fundraising front: Thanks to you all and your pro-active support, I am only $1,561.00 away from being fully funded. If that happens by January 1st, I will be all set.
My Squad Mates: There are a few that are in need of support by the end of this month. Andie Cortez, Erin Peters, and Cameron Marshall could use your prayers and your support. Please search and find them and pray and donate.
Thank you everyone! Till next time, my lil chick nugs.
