FFA

Many moons ago I volunteered to teach Sunday school at the church I was attending. I was out of high school for a couple of years and serving my country in a small town in Ohio. Now, in my head, I envisioned a dozen small children looking up at me just waiting to absorb the wisdom I had to bestow upon them. I figured, how hard could this be? They have to have a workbook that I would just need to read from. Maybe answer a few silly questions.

Well, apparently all of the good classes were taken because I ended up with the high school group. Looking back on it, that was probably best for everyone. Who knows how I would have answered those questions. But moving on, I was ready for the first class. Only problem was they didn’t give me my workbook beforehand to prepare. Oh well, it wouldn’t be the first time I went to class not having a clue what was going to be discussed. Sounds a little like high school. And hey, I graduated from high school….I can do this!

To my surprise, when I arrived at the classroom there was no workbook. Nothing! As it turns out, once they hit the high school class they are too old for a workbook and ready for adult discussions about religion. What the hell were they thinking putting me in charge of adult discussions?!?

In order to make it through the first day, I figured we could take some time to get to know each other. Now, keep in mind that this is “rural, small town, one stoplight, if you blink you will miss it” Ohio.

I had asked them what classes they were taking at the local high school. One class they said I’ve never heard of.

“FFA”

“What’s FFA”

“Future Farmers of America”

I figured they were giving the new guy a hard time. But after a few minutes of my hysterical laughter not one of them cracked a smile. They seemed to have more of a confused look on their face. I guess they weren’t just giving me a hard time. Turns out they are rather proud of their FFA.

Now, I am not from the big city, but I guess growing up in a Chicago suburb there are just some things you aren’t exposed to.