My blessed little Moses

Every once in a while a teacher is touched by an amazing grace, by amazing insight. The insight takes us beyond instruction into being a near life-saver for a child.

Moses is a new student of mine this year. Despite the rule about no headphones or cellphones, he always has out one or the other. Thursday was no different, as he came walking through the doorway with his music blaring. He was respectful enough to put away his iPod but then got out his cell phone. After giving him his final warning, I finally confiscated his phone from him. He was reluctant, but still, he complied. A few minutes later he was yelling across the room to someone about the price of a 'quarter pound'. "A quarter pound of what?", I asked, catching myself mid-phrase to realize that he most likely was talking about marijuana. "Grapes, Miss."

About 10 minutes later, Moses was completely passed out with his head on the desk, his mouth wide open, beyond any kind of snooze. I was about to nudge him for the 10th time that morning, but something inside me paused. Something did not seem right. It was almost as though little Moses had gone an entire night without sleeping. So calmly and quietly I tapped him to wake him up. "Moses, can I ask you something? Did you sleep in a bed last night?" "No, Miss." It turns out he had slept on a floor.

I asked Moses to share more about his situation with me. It turns out that his mom hadn't been home in 8 days. His father died when he was 4. He's been staying with his sister who is trying to support him, his other sister, and her own to kids. They are struggling for money for food and for clothes. "Miss, that's why I asked you if you had any brownies." As it turns out, Moses hadn't had breakfast, and didn't have money for lunch. As I found our more the next day, he hadn't brought in his paperwork for the free/reduced lunch program because he was waiting for his absent mom to come home and sign his paperwork.

When I asked him about his nice clothes, he admitted to me that he's "doing what he needs to do." My suspicion is that little Moses is selling drugs in order to provide for himself, and probably for his family.

I told Moses about a group at our school called Communities in Schools that reaches out to students in need. He jumped at the opportunity. So I packed up some treats for him and sent him up to CIS. There they provided him with a backpack and got him set up with Operation School Bell (which provides clothing for students who are struggling to have their basic needs met).

The sad truth is that there are so many kids that share Moses' story. Some of them will go forever unnoticed. I feel so blessed to have been given the insight to see beyond the disruptions and the sleeping, to see a child in dire need of help. I am so grateful for all the people who have stepped in to help make sure that Moses' basic needs are met.

Most importantly, I am so proud of little Moses. Despite all his circumstances and adversity, he still comes to school, and he gets there on time. Additionally, when I think back to how reluctant he was to give me his cell phone, it makes more sense now. He entrusted me with what is probably his biggest prized possession, his one connection to the small family that he has. But he entrusted me with so much more. He was willing to let go of that tough exterior, to allow his vulnerability to be exposed. He allowed me to love him. He allowed me and others to care for him and help him.

I ask for your prayers for Moses this year. I pray that his basic needs would be met. I pray that he would have the help he needs to find a job and to stay strong in school. I pray that he finds in us the family and support that he needs to succeed. I pray that he finds the courage and strength from within to pull himself out of whatever type of drug or potential gang activities he might be involved in.

Most of all, I pray that he would know how much he is loved.