From: Deb Kleber

Subject: Drex’s First Day of School

Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2001 13:21:01 -0700

Hello, Everyone –

I want to thank you for your prayers for Drex’s first day of school. He was so excited this morning, he was jumping up and down as he walked across the street to his school: Escola São Lázaro. We went with Drex’s friend/neighbor, Alexandre, who is also in the first grade but in a different classroom, and Sameiro, Alexandre’s mother. Drexel’s excitement was a great improvement from early last week when Drex was still insisting that he was NOT going to go to school. Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Drex marched right into class with all the other kids at 9:00am with only a little worried look in his eyes. He did not cling to me and beg me to stay. His teacher seemed sympathetic to our situation and told me "Não se preocupe." (Don’t worry.)

Unfortunately, the rest of his time did not go so well – but the first part was indeed a success.

I went home and kept an eye on the school to see how long Drex’s class would have to sit until recess began. Drex still doesn’t like to sit. (The playground is directly across from our apartment.)

At 10:45, they still had not appeared so I decided to walk to the post office before picking Drex up at noon. I guess they went to recess immediately after that. About that time, Sameiro went over to the school to take Alexandre his forgotten snack. She found Drex alone and crying, wanting to see me. We think that part of the problem is that he didn’t understand all the playground rules… along with all the other obvious obstacles.

God bless Sameiro. She tried to find me at home so Drex could wave to me. When she couldn’t find me at home, which was probably a blessing, she returned to school and got Drex playing with Alexandre. That helped a great deal. She is a tremendous blessing to us.

Not surprisingly, Drex is not excited about going to school tomorrow. I reminded him that he had agreed to try school for 3 weeks (he pulled that number out of a hat sometime last month)… I pray that will help get us through the hardest part.

Again, I thank you for your prayers for Drex. He is trying so hard and I am so very, very proud of him. For Tues and Wed, the first graders go from 9am-noon. Starting Thurs, they start the normal schedule of 9-12 and 2-4, Mon-Fri. I am thankful that I didn’t have to try to get him to return this afternoon.

Please, please continue to pray for Drex. Pray that he will make friends in his class and enjoy school. Pray that his teacher will have the extra energy to help and encourage him. Pray that I know just how hard to push him in all this.

And please thank God for giving us Sameiro and Alexandre. Sameiro was so sad for Drex today. And Alexandre is here right now playing with Drex. It is good to hear him and Drex screeching with glee.

Thank you. We really couldn’t do this without you and your prayers.
debk