It was about a year and a half ago where i fell in love with a certain "group" of people. A "group" that essentially taught me new ways to love others and was a living lesson of unconditional love. Befriending this new "group" helped me learn patience, the Lord's mercy and grace, and that no matter what condition, God has a way to communicate to everyone.
In elementary school, i was an involved student. I was a guidance helper for new students each year, i was a school patrol for the entire back entrance (which was HUGE), was part of the of gifted and talented program, art club, music club, SCA, everything. even to this day, the guidance counselor at Windsor Woods ES knows of my name. (when my nephew enrolled in the fall to Windsor Woods, he had to speak to the guidance counselor. when she heard his last name was Cabacoy, she asked if Aidan, my nephew, was my son. Mom said no, "Paolo's his uncle..." The counselor, Mrs. Hastie, said, "Well, Aidan, you have some pretty big shoes to fill..")
But one of my memories of elementary school was when i was paired up with a special needs girl for PE class. she was a small, skinny black girl with the energy of a "deeko" (think a hyper kid that just drank 4 Amp sodas) all day long. I really didn't understand what was wrong with her at such a young age, all i knew was she was different, something i saw as contagious and that could happen to me. So i did what every young kid does when faced with adversity: i ran away from her. When it came to PE class or recess, she was always "IT" in the neverending game of Tag. This went on from kindergarten all the way to 5th grade. She was different, and i was scared of it. Yes, i could pick up a new student in the Guidance Counselor's office and show him/her around the new school, get to know them and have lunch with them... But when it came to this one special needs girl, and i hate myself for not even remembering her name, i wouldn't even give her my cold shoulder. and because i was such a "student leader", everyone followed suit during recess.
So when i was asked by my YoungLife friends to check out Capernaum, i shuddered. Now, for those that don't know me or know what Capernaum is, its a Young Life ministry dedicated to high school kids and young adults with special needs. Now, high school kids i can handle... they somewhat understand what's going on, they are somewhat easy to talk to, and can understand the Lord's Word when its presented to them...sometimes. But befriending special needs kids and trying to teach them from the Bible? you have got to be kidding me. Flashbacks of elementary school came to mind. Who would want to reach out to such a forgotten culture? outcasts in our normal society?
I really started to think, and pray about it. I prepared my heart for whatever God had in store for me. I took a leap of faith and went to my first Capernaum event.
Life changed from there on.
How could i be so dumb? Oblivious to God's word about those He creates and loves? If i have ever been filled to the brim with His spirit, it was from the energy and spirit that surrounded the club room at Capernaum. These kids were so amped, so pumped to see a new person, that I felt like I was the one being ministered to! and i was!! I have never felt so welcomed and loved on by a bunch of strangers ever in my life! There was no awkward "getting-to-know-you" moment between anyone of us. it was like we already knew eachother from earlier in life. And to think, years ago i would be running away from all of this..
What got me the most, almost in tears, was their attitudes and perspectives in life. To them, they are not disabled or handicapped, they see it as their own uniqueness, like a beauty mark or special talent we all have deep down. But unlike us where we can hide it or choose to not demonstrate our talents, they have to live with theirs. These students have the opportunity to attend regular Young Life clubs, but usually do not get the attention neccessary for them to learn and grow, or what i see as horrible, denying them to be included in club. But thank the Lord for Capernaum Club!!
But what amazed me the most was how much the got what was being taught, how much information they could retain from the previous lessons and just how overall, no matter what condition, that the Lord was working on their hearts. Some may hide it, some may not be able to communicate it, but from their actions and how they treated me on my first day there was testament enough of God's work in their hearts.
That day, i was the kid with special needs. I was the one that needed acceptance and cleansing of whatever stereotypes and misconceptions i had previously. They were able to love me, reach out to me, and be compassionate towards me in whatever condition or state i was/am in. They taught me how to love others unconditionally.
And just how adults saying "They're just teens..." irks Christian, thinking and believing "They're just special needs kids" or "they're disabled, they'll never get it. they'll just forget", or just insert any Special Olympics joke or "**tarded" jokes just breaks my heart. Why them? Why choose them for the butt end of your jokes? The group that society throws on the backburner and "let God decide what to do with them", weren't they made in the same image as we all were? We all were once outcasted, covered in the filth of Sin, and rejected by society and friends.
A heart for God is a heart for God.
We all have our "disabilities". We all have impairments physically, emotionally, socially, or mentally. But those impairments never stopped Jesus from reaching to our hearts. So why should it stop our hearts from reaching out to others?
Just like how Jesus reached out to the leper with compassion (Mark 1:40-45), so did my Capernaum friends. And i will forever be grateful for each and every one of their friendships.
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1 comment:
For some time Paolo, I have been knowing that you worked with teenagers helping them understand the ways of the Lord. I also knew that you were involved with Capernaum. For the life of me, I didn't know what it was (thought it was YL renamed) until I read your blog. It takes a man of stature to do the work that your doing with those great kids. I have to admit, I look at your photos on FB and on picasaweb and didn't know they were special needs kids. Warms my heart to know that young adults are doing this world some good. Keep up your good work!
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