Camden teachers miss more school than kids

The Courier-Post makes a very true observation that teachers in Camden miss more school than kids. The kids we work with are constantly telling us they have a sub or had to be shifted to another classroom for the day, and there are many spontaneous half-day and full day closings throughout the year.

I know teaching in Camden is not easy, but what up with that?

Check out the article here.

Hello in the Hallway: Issues in Character

I think I just experienced corruption first hand and now I am seething. I can’t go into details until I get more information, but I will say this….

I don’t care how “important” you think you are. How you treat the “little people” tells me a lot about your character.

I work in the “ministry” and we often have people visit us – famous people, other ministries, people interested in starting a ministry like ours in their city. Most of these people are very nice and come to learn. But, sometimes….

Sometimes, we’ll get people that are super nice and outgoing and friendly to our executive director and department heads. And my leaders will go on and on about how great these people are and how they’re going to start a satellite ministry in their city and how much they complimented our ministry.

But, you know what? When these visitors passed me in the hallway and I smiled at them, they gave me an icy glare. Later, I tried again, a smile and a hello, and they ignored me.

Interesting.

I find this so interesting because when it came to interacting with the “important” people they were all smiles and friendliness. But, when they interacted with me, just a regular person who works in the ministry, I received a cold, if not, condescending response. It was more than just someone having a bad day. It was more than perhaps shyness. One minute smiles and laughter, next minute haughtiness.

I don’t expect these people to give me and hugs and kisses. But, when I offer a friendly smile and receive a glare…this speaks VOLUMES.

You’re starting a ministry for goodness sakes and you can’t be polite to another ministry worker?

I have met some really famous people in ministry, people that could definitely ignore me in the hallway and I would have no problem with it because of their history and legacy of work. But, almost always, the truly “important” figures I’ve met (email me if you want personal stories) have been down to earth and kind.

Really. Is kindness too much to ask for?

I suppose this treatment I’ve experienced is not enough evidence to go to those in power and say, “Hey, I don’t think we should work with these people because they didn’t say hello to me in the hallway.” I know that doesn’t make sense. But, I really, very truly believe how you treat the powerless tells a lot about your character. When you find someone dismissive to the powerlesss, but sucking up to the powerful, you’ll find integrity issues, corruption, unrighteous motivations…

Believe me on this. I’m not overreacting. I know this in my soul to be true.

Kids on YouTube

Sometimes kids are the funniest people on the internet. Check out the following videos:

Stop playing with me:

David after the dentist:

And my favorite kid on the internet – Capucine

Love x’s Jesus equals question mark

The ministry I worked with in NYC had this thing we taught the kids called The Four Most Important Things. A sister ministry in the UK came up with symbols, put them on sweatshirts and other merch and the following was born:

♥ – God loves me

X – I have sinned

✞ – Jesus died for me

? – I need to decide to live for God

I used to repeat/teach this mantra several times a day for several years. So when I see the symbols, it seems crystal clear what they mean.

However, I wore this 4 Things sweatshirt while hanging out with some friends in Philly and the shirt confused them. These very educated, very smart people were like,

“Love x’s Jesus = I don’t know/question mark?”

I thought it was really funny because here I was wearing the sweatshirt thinking I was witnessing to people, while others perceived it in an opposite way. It was a good reminder that we all have different perceptions and they count! I can’t just assume everyone is coming from the same place as I am.

People need Jesus

To  be honest, I’ve kind of shyed away from trying to convert people.  I guess I was burned out from years of evangelistic ministry, coupled with the realization that God saves people, not me.  And the organization I work with isn’t in your face preachy, which I appreciate, but the downside is that sometimes the “personal relationship with Jesus” thing gets pushed to the back of my mind.  I think about how the kids I work with need love, education and justice, but….Jesus?  Yeah, I guess they need him, too.

But, yesterday, as I was counseling a kid I found myself frustrated because I didn’t know how to help him.  He wasn’t having family problems, things were fine at school.  He was just kind of being a jerk and doing and saying inappropriate things.  When I got home I realized  that this kid needs Jesus.  He’s not being abused or neglected, but he needs a heart change.  Only having a relationship with Jesus will transform him to not want to make dirty jokes or be mean to people.  He needs a new way of thinking. I can mentor him and encourage, we can educate him, but the thing that will transform him is Jesus.

So, I guess I’m praying for salvation for this kid. Not because of fear of hell fire and brim stone, but because he needs to be transformed.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season: Teaching kids about Christmas

I’m not a paranoid right winger, but I have to admit I haven’t heard a lot about “Christmas” this holiday season. I recently went to a teacher supply store to look for bulletin board decorations that said “Merry Christmas.” And you know what? I couldn’t find any! I thought that was kind of weird.

I definitely want the kids I work with to know that Jesus is the reason for the season. We started laying a foundation for Christmas back in October, as each week in Bible class we’ve been learning about Jesus – how he came to earth, what his life was like, etc. And we’re also doing the following activties:

1. Advent Calendar

Explaining to the kids every day what we’re waiting for, excepting, hoping for, celebrating – the arrival of Jesus on December 25th. (Yes, he’s arrived already, but you know what I mean.) I bought a Advent Calendar house at a thrift store and in each little door is a scripture and thought about Jesus and a surprise (piece of candy, money, balloon). The kids love it and remind me about it when I forget. This is a simple, easy way to remind the kids every day that Jesus is the reason for Christmas.

2. Telling the Christmas Story Interactively

Our interns got a bunch of props together and told the Nativity scene while the kids acted it out. Afterward, they asked questions and clarified points. The 3rd and 4th graders seemed to really *get* it, too. It was a special time.

3. Writing about the Christmas Story

We found booklets on the internet with pictures of the Nativity scene that they can color and also write about what happened. It’s a good reminder, but also using literacy skills! And they can take it home and re-read it later.

4. Christmas Crafts – Building a Manger

I previously linked to a website where you can find a bunch of different ways to make a Nativity scene. It’s fun and Biblical!

It might seem like we’re overdosing on the Biblical narrative of Christmas, but I don’t think it’s possible. If you use a variety of ways to communicate the message, the kids won’t be bored.

At our Christmas party we’re still having a surprise visit from Santa Claus (even though I don’t think most of the kids believe in him anymore) because I think it’s important to keep imagination alive. It’s an important part of childhood! But, I want the kids to have a foundation and ingrain in them the reason Christmas started in the first place, you know?

If you have any ideas how to remind kids that Jesus is the reason for the season, leave a comment!

Nativity Scene Christmas Crafts

I was searching the internet for ideas on how to make a Nativity scene for our afterschool program art class and came across a great website called Artists Helping Children. It has about a dozen different options of how to make a Nativity scene using different forms of art media. I wish I had discovered this website first – I would’ve saved a lot of time!

The finished result :

Camden named America’s most dangerous city

Although Camden hasn’t always held the top spot, for 2009 we’re back to being #1 in the nation for being the most dangerous city in America. Check out the article here.

My hometown of Birmingham was 6th and surprisingly New York City was 296th!

Camden is a city of potential. But I’m not surprised it’s considered the most dangerous. Why? Because it’s also the nation’s most poverty stricken city. And can we also mention the history of corruption of city officials? The last three Camden mayors are in jail for corruption charges. Interesting!

Corruption + Poverty = Danger

Jesus is the boss

We taught a lesson last week on how Jesus is the most important thing. Apparently H. was listening because at school the next day, on a Thanksgiving turkey art project, he wrote, on his own accord, “Jesus is the boss.”

It makes me happy to know the kids a) listen to what we tell them and b) think about it when they’re away from us. H. came up with the phrase “Jesus is the boss” entirely on his own.

Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry

Last week I attended the Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry hosted by the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Seminary. It was in Hendersonville, North Carolina at a beautiful camp ground called Kanuga. I went for a two day retreat and then for an additional four day conference.  It was nice to get a break from city life and be surrounded by gorgeous scenery.  North Carolina in the Fall is one of my favorite places to be.   It was also great to be challenged theologically with speakers like Kenda Creasy Dean, Rodger Nishioka, Mark DeVries and others.

About 70% of the conference was applied to church ministry, but I still learned a lot. I met amazing youth directors from around the country and was encouraged by their service and dedication to young people. It was a good week.