Tutoring Update - Face-to-Face with Student

I met my student tonight at Liliha McDonald's. He was running late because of the bus and called several times to let me know. I appreciated that a lot.

Prior to meeting him, I was a little anxious and intimidated especially since he is an ex-con (according to the Hawaii Literacy people). When we did meet, I have to admit that he does look a little indimidating. As with all stereotypes of ex-cons, he's got tattoos on his arms and is pretty built. In my over-active imagination I could picture him snapping someone in two. However, he is also a reverend, which I am sure is not a stereotype of people who have been in jail. Giving in to my suspicious and cynical nature, I just Googled him and found him in a picture on the website of a church. Apparently he really is an ex-con preacher.

Anyway, I also learned that this guy is a former boxer. He said he is a former state champ and now trains other people. He is currently training a 16-year-old girl, who is really good. It's hard to picture a minister and a boxer in the same person, but apprantly they do exist.

We talked for a little over an hour and agreed to meet Mondays and Fridays at 6:30 p.m. He wants to learn to read his minister's manual so he can perform his baptisms, weddings and funerals better. I'm not quite sure how one becomes a minster without being able to read well. But, I suppose God has his chosen people or whatever. I was happy that he didn't go all preachy on me. I think it's enough to be reading his manual. I really don't need to be converted too.

This Sunday is my last tutor class. We're supposed to discuss our meeting with our student. I wonder who other people were assigned. I'm not sure how I feel about tutoring my dude yet. We'll see how things go. On one hand, you can't really hold someone's prior actions or physical appearance against him/her. On the other, it takes a lot for people to change their lives and turn them around. All I can say is, we'll see.

Bible Thumpers Came a Knockin'

Yesterday some bible thumpers came a knockin' on my door. It's not that I have anything against church-goers or worshipers. They're all fine and dandy in my book. In fact, my mother is one of them.

But when they have to go out out and solicit, uhm, I mean do community outreach, I think it's a bit intrusive. You go worship your god over there in your church. You need not knock on my door and proclaim to love the lord on my doorstep.

No, I don't want to join your bible study group. I'll also have to decline your offer of free reading materials. I already know of quite a few locations with free reading materials, thank you very much. They're called libraries.

The bible thumpers actually had the gall to ask if it was only today that I was not interested in speaking to them about the lord or if it was something more permanent, like forever. I chose the latter of course. I don't want to get on their missed opportunities list and have them knocking every other day in order to save another soul. Really, I'm just saving their time and effort as I'm sure there are others out there who would welcome a soul saver.

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