Nancy works in the Minneapolis School system at an American Indian Alternative School... the classes are very small, and she becomes very close to them as a result of the time together, and the ways that she has to be in touch with them to help them stick with school, and try to learn in the midst of their lives, which are total turmoil... The hard and sad lives they live with rampant alcoholism, trips back and forth to the reservation, premarital sex and pregnancy - she has worked hard to save lives of the unborn and taken a girl to Total Life Care Centers for an ultrasound and counseling. At 16 she did have a baby boy, but the year before the teacher that she replaced had helped her to get an abortion and in a depression afterwards she had attempted to take her life. She has been there to witness some women come in with crow bars and start hitting some of the students! She has a boy, who asks if his mom can come in for a meal as they have no food at home, and Nancy allows her to eat on a regular basis. So very hard!
Nancy being Baptized with her Godmothers, Mary and Ratera... Nancy had not told her class that she was expecting and has now gone to wearing maternity clothes. One day she said that one of the boys noticed that she was getting bigger and then asked her if she was pregnant. "Yes, I am." she answered. "Mom, they were so happy and excited for me! It is like we are a family here the way that we share so much of the hard things of life together. It was so cute, because most of them are mothers and fathers already, at their young ages, and they started giving me advise about pregnancy and delivery and raising kids." There was a joy and happiness at school that week that made it a very good week for Nancy and her kids.
Nancy with her Godmother, Mary, about a year and half before Mary died of lymphoma..... the following week at school more hard things happened and Nancy as the lead teacher this year, is called upon to expell a student. She talks of being burned out and at times somewhat fearful of this harsh world, that she has encountered so closely for the last 3 years. I have no doubt that she has done so much, that she is not even aware of as a light in the midst of such sadness and darkness. But with the baby now... it will allow her to change gears. 
I do know that there have been many prayers said daily and at Adoration for the lives she works with now and in the past - gone back to the reservation or vanished into sad lives somewhere... so many prayers are needed and in writing this - I am determined to do a much better job of remembering the people and youth that are trapped into lives, where darkness is all they have ever known. Jesus,thank you having Nancy called to serve you in this way. May she touch and change lives by living the Gospel! Today Jesus heals on the Sabath the man with the withered hand... May your Truth and Light dwell in and with Nancy and those that she comes in contact with each day. And go with me today to the Nursing Home and use me to your honor and glory! Jesus,I trust in you! Amen and Halleluia!
Bless-bless, Barb
"When I found him whom my heart loves, I took hold of him and would not let him go." Song of songs 3:4
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