A Sad History Lesson

Since we began history in 1st grade, we've been going chronologically. At this point, Daniel is in "The New World." What an exciting time, discovering the new lands of America! However, yesterday we were introduced to the dark, sorrowful time that it was as well. The Middle Passage.

Slave trade began long before the birth of the United States of America. Spain and Portugal set up colonies in South America and needed someone to work the land. Apparently, it was below their social status to do it themselves. Anyone who's skin was darker was considered "less human." So, they would fill the lower decks of their ships with African people. A quick dock in West Africa. Sometimes the white men would hunt down the slaves. Sometimes, they would pay certain tribal leaders to hunt them and sell them. Depravity on all sides reared it's ugly head.

Just everyday people, kidnapped from their homes, frightened, scared and sitting in the bottom of a ship. Unable to come out, held by chains, sitting in their own bodily excretions with little food or water for months. If they survived the middle passage of the Atlantic, they would land in the Caribbean or South America to work the plantations, as long as they survived any disease that may be waiting on them. No longer their own, scared and alone.

This lesson touched my son and myself profoundly. We sat there with tears rolling down our faces as we studied the middle passage. Just the horror of it. And I thanked God that my son is tender to such a subject. He understands the value and sanctity of human life, no matter what shade of skin. He took it personal. Then, he asked if Joshua could be made a slave.

I don't hide things from my children when they ask. They need to know what sin looks like sometimes. I do it with discretion, but I do it. I assured Daniel that Joshua was safe in the orphanage and we could thank God that the orphanage director is a Christian that wants to honor God with the children in his care.

Then, I told him that Haiti's culture, since the middle passage, has been steeped in a culture of slavery and to this day struggles to find it's way out. We talked about restavecs. Restavecs are children slaves in Haiti. Poor families sell their young children to richer families to do household chores and they are treated poorly. Then we talked about what Haiti needs. It's the same thing we all need, deep down. The Gospel.

Praying for Haiti today. Apart from the grace of God, where would I be? My children? I'm not above selfishness and pride. I'm thankful for Joshua's birth mom. That somewhere inside she recognized that Joshua would be better off in an orphanage than sold to the highest bidder.

Thank you God, that:

My chains fell off,

I've been set free,
My God, My Savior

Has rescued me.

And like a flood,
Your mercy rains,
Unending Love, Amazing Grace.