Our Field Trip to Mt. Vernon - Revealing HIS-tory

Yesterday we went to Mt. Vernon's Homeschool day.  For those of you who may not know Mt. Vernon was the home of George Washington and his wife Martha.  It is the most popular historic estate in our country.  My oldest was so excited to go on this field trip.  From public school she of course learned about George Washington.  Also, this year in social studies she has learned some interesting facts about George Washington.  Prior to visiting the estate we went online to Mt. Vernon's official website.  I have to say that this site is very well.  There is another interactive site just for kids called Washington's world that I highly recommend if you will be visiting Mr. Vernon http://www.washingtonsworld.org/.

While reviewing the site prior to visiting, Ayanna was astonished to learn that Washington owned slaves.  It really took her aback.  She was well aware that he was a Christian man, the Father of our country, and we have taught her to honor and respect leaders from the past and present.  She was very confused.  However, this was a wonderful opportunity to teach Ayanna principles of our faith and more about her history.  During our visit, as we went into the slave quarters and visited the blacksmiths shop, we talked about how it is not God's will for men to be held in bondage by others.  We also talked about Jesus is our standard.  We don't make idols out of men even good men because from Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.




Also, I do believe men can speak Godly principles but still suffer from the sin of silence because of the fear of man, lack of knowledge, or misguided views and influences.  None of us are exempt from this.  It was kind of heartbreaking to see her excitement fade into sobering of reality of how her life would have been like during that time period.  This has not been our first discussion on slavery. In previous conversations we have discussed our history.  I constantly remind her that it takes nothing away from our value and worth to God.  It is a reflection of our fallen world and the evil that resides in the human heart.  I also remind her that Jesus was a descendant of slavery himself as the Israelites labored hundreds of years under Egyptian rule and time and time again where held in bondage by other societies.  Yet out of that Jesus came as the savior of the human race.  But for some reason I could see during this discussion and trip she really got it.  It really hit her and I saw her heart grieve.

Children Placing Flowers at Washington's Grave

During Washington's life his views of slavery changed.  At that time it was not lawful to free a slave unless he acquired a trade of some sort.  Washington hired others to come in to teach his slaves trades.  Also, this was an economic practice because after hiring the person to come in to train, that person would leave and now he would have "free" labor to work his farms and businesses.  During and after the Revolutionary war he really began to show a changing of opinion in his writings.  He was gripped by the thought of many slaves that fought alongside him for the cause of freedom against the British were denied their own freedom.  These same men advancing his cause were in bondage themselves.  During his day and I would say even during our day we often suffer from a case of moral schizophrenia (as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. put it).  Finally upon his death he willed that his slaves would  be set free.  This was bittersweet for some of the families because many of his slaves were owned by Washington's relatives who did not share his same convictions.  As a results those that were freed had to decide whether to stay with there other family members or leave.  OK I know this is turning into a history lesson so I'm going to say one last thing.  Many believed after his presidency he could have elevated the nation's conscience concerning slavery and may have been able to be instrumental in it's abolishment.  Only God knows.  We do know that he was convicted by the issue according to his later writings.  No doubt this conviction was from Holy Spirit himself.  However, this serves as an example of how God will not force us to make a decision or take actions that are right.  He will send his Spirit to show us truth but it is ultimately up to us who we will serve despite the consequences.  We are constantly challenged to count the cost of following Jesus.  What would have been the cost of Washington?  We will never know.  Only Christ himself is in the right place to judge men's hearts.  However, I am challenged to consider my own walk in the midst of my culture, our government, my conveniences, etc... and pray that I will have the love for the kingdom to follow Holy Spirit.

George Washington's home in the background

Field trips and experience like this illustrate just one of the reasons why we are homeschooling. I do not believe we can accurately teach history without showing our children the finger of God and the true nature of men's hearts. This is something they may not learn in school. The history curriculum we have chosen to follow for our children is entitled, "Our History, HIS-story: Using Literature to Wave the African-American Presence into the Fabric of Early American History" You can find this curriculum at http://www.currclick.com/. I believe African American children will never receive an education that will adequately "instill in our elementary-aged, African-American children a sense of who they are both spiritually and historically" as stated by the Bullard Family the makers of this curriculum. As God thought it was so vital throughout the history of the Israelites that they never forget their past I feel that it is the same for our children and children of all races. It is up to us as parents to truly educate or children. It is a responsibility and a privilege. I am thankful to God that he has allowed our family to homeschool and for experiences like that of Mt. Vernon.