She smiles. "Actually, I would like to start off with one of my favorite verses that is perfect for our introduction. My testimony is simple. I moved here when I was eleven years old from my native islands. I was bullied by all different kind of people because I talked funny. I knew only a little English when I first came, and my accent was strong. My parents made me and my siblings for the first year...we all went to English tutoring, and when I finally started middle school, it was a nightmare. But then I met Jason and our other friends: Amber, Beth, and Donavan. They invited me to their youth group that met after school every Tuesday." She smiles softly to her husband. "And I have been falling in love with God...and this wonderful man He has brought into my life...ever since." Jason blushes as the crowd "awes."32Please respect copyright.PENANA7IawBSGrBw
Even though it is said autistic people do not connect with other people's emotions, I look around at every shining eye in that moment. Autistic, neurotypical---we were just people having all heard and connected with a very beautiful love story.
But what strikes me most is the way Rizzo slips his hand into mine, intertwining our fingers and pulling me into a gentle kiss. He is starting to connect with people more lately; Gui attests that it is my influence, but it is moreso Rizzo's effort. He wants to love me, he said, and to make me happy; he would spend our life together finding the secrets to doing so. Our kiss is quick, nothing said, but as always, it whispers to the world of our connection. Some people smile toward us; I think we are the only couple like us there, and I am perfectly okay with that because after all, being with Rizzo means sometimes we will stand out in a crowd no matter how much we do not want to. He is himself wherever he goes and whoever is watching, and so, I learn to be the same.
After all, in his world when it is he and I together, it is just he and I---no one else is watching and no one else matters---that secret world of his is slowly becoming OURS now, and I am beginning to introduce him to this strange world that I live in---this boring, neurotypical view that I understand and that he does not. And the more I stand in the line between the two---the more I prefer his exciting...though oversensitive...limitless...though spontaneous view...and the more he is appreciating mine. Truth is, our goal is to make a world of our own, and we will learn and grow together like Jason and Teuila.
"So, this verse is the verse that the youth pastor was speaking when I walked into the room beside Amber. 'Psalm 139:13--You made all the delicate inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex. Your workmanship is marvelous---how well I know it!' I love this verse because it reminds us that we are all here for a purpose and a reason. There is a God up in Heaven that made me different for a reason, and once we know that about ourselves and understand that about others, then we will learn to respect and cherish the differences among us." She smiles softly. "I did not get saved that day, but that verse helped me realize my self-worth. Yes, I am different, but there is only one Teuila that can offer the gifts she has to help someone else. There is only one 'you' in this world, so make it count."
Rizzo's blue eyes register every word, and I know the imagery in the verse connects with that complex mind of his. It does not take an imagery-conscious brain like Rizzo's, though, to feel the power in that one verse.
Emaye and Bapi have never been religious; Emaye's host family used to invite her to church, and she would go sometimes. I have walked in on Aunt Brenda praying in the morning and I have prayed with Bobby at night---Nandita, Scruffy, and I kneeling at the foot of his bed beside him---but I have never been religious. However, after that verse, there is something inside me that hungers for more...just a little snack or sample...but I want more.
"So with this class, we want you all to connect. There are just eight of us so far, but I hope it will grow soon. Amber will be joining us next time; for next Friday's meeting in two weeks, I want you all to think about a friend to bring and to be thinking about a discussion topic. What would you like others to know about you? Because this class is geared very much toward autistic individuals, I know this will be easy for them."32Please respect copyright.PENANAD7g5JfT0cJ
Rizzo grins, and I roll my eyes. He probably has a thousand things he could list off the top of his head while I can only think of one or two.
"But I want you all to come with a list of about fifteen things---whatever you want people to know about you or to understand about what makes you who you are as a person. Then, I want you to be prepared to share---"
Jaylen's facial expression says it all---are you really asking autistic people...of all people to...stand up and share deep, emotional subjects?
Jason puts a firm but compassionate hand on his brother's shoulder. "You can do it. We all can do it. This class is meant for you to grow---as an individual, as a person, and most importantly, in your relationship with Christ. Through Him, you can do all things. Now, if you need any help, please feel free to call us. As you exit, you will be given your gift bags with our cards in them and the numbers of the four leaders, including Amber, Teuila, and me. Before we go, let's introduce ourselves."
There's Gary, who goes to Rizzo's support group therapy. Jaylen, of course. Gary's older sister, Burnett. There's Felix with his daughter Reagan; he's about twenty-five; Reagan is six and doesn't say much; in fact, she seems to be traveling in space the whole time. Lastly, there are two older teens: Tess about seventeen and Pepper about nineteen.
When it comes to me and Rizzo, I introduce myself first. "I am Madhuri Gupta, but you can call me Maddie. I am here with my boyfriend---"32Please respect copyright.PENANA5NMCvGmQAt
I look to Rizzo. "Gianrico," he murmurs, and I smile, kissing him on the cheek, which makes him smile too.32Please respect copyright.PENANAdjg4dYxpyV
Jason nods. "I am so happy to have met you all and look forward to seeing you later this week. Be thinking about those topics. In your bags, there is a mini Bible. If you get time, please read Luke 10. That will be one of our major topics for this class. I look forward to the next seven weeks with you all, and I hope we come to learn, respect, and appreciate all the differences God has placed around us. "Until next time."32Please respect copyright.PENANA5E1UfJMTb3
We line up and accept the little purple gift bags decorated with gold script words, "The Coat of Many Colors." Hmmm...We are all apart of this coat of many colors...so what is my purpose as a little stitch in this vast, diverse universe? What is my destiny? What legacy and memory do I want to leave in this world for my children's children to refer back to? Hmmm...Questions to think about.32Please respect copyright.PENANAHA00hVLskU