He is the picture of how our world has shortchanged its people in affording a equitable education for all. He smiles a lot. He runs barefoot like the rest. He loves the songs we sing and claps along happily. To most observers, it is obvious that he has Downs Syndrome. It breaks my heart that each day in class, I spend a good portion of the hour repeating, “Reuben! Eela! Reuben! No!” It doesn’t seem fair that he is thrust into this school where the facilities and resources are straining to meet the needs of its students. The teachers shake their heads and say, “Reuben is mentally retarded.” That is what disturbs me the most. Reuben can not learn to his potential because he does not have the opportunity. He is placed into this center of learning - a school that is ill-equipped to serve to his needs. Yet, this is the tragedy of so many children and not only those here in India. Often times, the education that you receive is based exclusively on the education that you can buy.
But there is a profound grace in Reuben's story. Today, I listened as Reuben recited the 23rd Psalms and then prayed for his teachers. Maybe he understands something that many of us don’t. Maybe today the student is the teacher.
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9 comments:
Katherine,
I miss you like crazy. Thanks for the new post! I wish I could meet Reuben...what a sweet boy. I'm going to send this post to my mom. She knows these sad stories all too well with some of her kids.
check out my new blog if you get a chance (i have a link on it to your blog!) davidandblairmcleod.blogspot.com
love you katherine..so much!!
hi momma & pappa bird! miss you all too!
Hey Kat!
I'm so glad you passed along the blog website! I just love you so much and think the world of you :) I never knew you were such the writer, I enjoyed every word! I can't imagine life in India, and it is such a blessing to learn so much through you! You are in our prayers!
P.S. I think you might need an Occupational Therapist in India with you to help with Reuben...I think I might know one ;)
Much Love,
Mandy and Brad...not papa brad, the other one :)
Katherine,
I love reading your blog. I hope you are doing well there. I miss India- the care free life there. How are things? Judy sent me your speech at PC and I enjoyed reading it. You are such a good writer.
Soni is coming back this weekend. The seperation is gonna hurt them both.
Ok, Keep writing. Love to hear what's happening in God's own country.
RoRo
Blair and Mandy:
Thanks a bunch for putting up your posts! while we miss Katherine we have the wonderful opportunity to see your words of encouragement and catch a glimpse of your lives.
Pretty neat.
Thank you for including us in your conversation with our Bird. From our phone calls with her, she is experiencing a time of growth and enjoyment in India. She sounds great.
To Roni - thank you for the warmth and hospitality of the wedding! Our family had heard much about you through Kristen - but the extent to which you included Katherine demonstrates the relational component which is so critical to our being. You and your family extended that in a powerful way. Thank you!
Pappa Bird/Pappa Brad
"..........Far across the distance
and spaces between us
You have come to show you go on.
Near, Far,
wherever you are,
I believe that the heart does go on.... Lalalala...."
Katherine, Would you sing that for me again?? Hahahahaha..... Are people still asking you to sing this? LOL....!!! How funny! :)
Hope you are well... I meant to call you yesterday but didn't get a chance... I will try to call you today sometime.. How is everything? Keeping you in my prayers!
To Mr.Bryant (assuming you are pappa bird)- Thanks for your kind words about me and my family. I was just glad that I got to see her and spent some time with her and to take her places. Everyone who met her loved her. Meeting her was probably the highlight of my trip. I saw the wedding album and she is in almost half of the album.. She was just part of our family for few days. It was just great!!
Yo Katherine,
What happend? No more blogs? Don't be lazy and start writing cuz we love to read your stories. I called Shibu today and he was on his way to Mavalikara. I asked him to come say Hi to you but he said he would have to use the sign language to talk to you.. hahaha.... He comes to Mavalikara once every two weeks for business.
Also, if you are interested in going to see "Thrissur Pooram", Sakhi, Mom and all might be able to take you. Check out "Thrissur pooram" online. It is a big festival- it is more of a competition between two temples. Together both temples bring close to 100 elephants (all famous elephants in Kerala) and it is a great festival to go to. After you check it out and if you are interested, let me know and I will arrange the rest and you & maybe laura can go with Sakhi so that you have someone to talk to and translate. :)
Hope everything else is well. Your name came up at my Bible study tonight and they prayed for you. Just to let you know that there are people that you don't even know are praying for you. Amazing!! Hope to read your blogs soon.
With Prayers,
Ro
Roni-
Papa Brad here; the absence of additional blogs is a function of her Dad. She actually sent a few to me to post for her. She was going to do a bit of editing but the internet service is terrible where she is. I will check it out and see if I can put up antoher.
Also Katherine is so much fun in our lives that we know you guys had fun at the wedding. Probably not as much fun as she had, but lots of fun anyway.
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