Big Dreams and Hard Choices

         A little over a week ago I was blessed with the opportunity to serve at Circle Urban Ministries. The College Readiness after school program encourages seventh and eighth grade students to think big and dream about their futures and then gives them the resources and support to research, plan, and potentially achieve their goals. We began the afternoon en route with a few older students returning from a visit to Trinity. Upon arrival we were escorted through the maze-like building to a room full of energetic middle schoolers. As they quieted down and we took our seats in the circle everyone took a turn introducing themselves by name, grade, what they wanted to be when they grew up, and what they like to do. This was our first glimpse of the students’ ability to be creative with their future.

         Our first activity involved small groups. As the instructions were read the students immediately knew who would take each role. One preferred to draw while another was more eager to speak up and present. Another girl was content to participate during the activity with thoughtful ideas and insights. It reminded me of the importance of each part in the body of Christ. Each group was told to draw the outline of a person and given specific instructions for what to draw over specific body parts. For example, students were asked to write teen and/or world issues over the shoulders, places they would like to go on the feet, and things they like to do on the hands. At the end, each group held up their drawing and shared what had been written. The conglomerate people represented the group’s ideas. One individual was connected to one or two parts, but the body continued to be whole. I really appreciated how open all of the students were to sharing and contributing thoughtful answers. For example, on girl wrote over the eyes that she hoped to be seen as a good friend and over the heart her values of family and friends. It is clear the students understand that it is a safe place and are willing to let go of just a little bit of their ‘cool’ in order to connect with each other and seriously think about themselves and their future.

          We continued with an exercise that required the small groups to choose ten of thirty people to take on a rocket to the moon because the earth had become uninhabitable. The concept of the activity was familiar to me. I was exposed to a similar project in middle school English class. It exposes any prejudices people may have and the value they put on lives. The people on the list were profiled by age, gender, and one or two facts such as occupation or relationship status.  The students had to consider that the new planet would need to be repopulated and that their choices would impact the development of society in the future. They quickly agreed to leave behind anyone with obvious challenges such as drug usage and potentially irrelevant occupations. I was impressed how well everyone in the small groups listened to me and each other. I felt genuinely listened to by the other members and believe the other students did too. The conversation was constructive, but one or two students admitted their sincere distaste for deciding who lived and who died.  At the end, each group presented which people they had decided to keep, and then they were given a chance to take issue with any other group and its choices. Even though the groups differed dramatically there was fairly little conflict or confrontation about another group’s ideas.  A member of another group took struck up conversation, though, with the final decision of his own group members.  Even in an activity that could be considered inflammatory or that could easily create division, the students showed maturity and grace toward their peers that is rare among people their age.

          Just before we were about to leave a few members from a financial management company came in to talk with the students about financial literacy. We were able to sit in on just a little of the lesson, but I wish them the best. Being smart with money will give them an advantage as they look at and prepare for college and careers in the future. I am so thankful to have had this opportunity and look forward to similar trips.