A letter to our South African hosts…
To Al, Jane, Aimee, and Emily…
We were a whirlwind, coming into your home, loud, and full of backpacks and accents. Your hospitality made us feel like family and not visitors. After a 20 hour bus ride we jumped into your pool fully clothed and you made us the best tomato and cheese sandwiches I have ever had. We devoured them and talked excitedly over one another as we introduced ourselves and began to open the door of our hearts to you.
Your home was a great comfort to us, but we all know it is the family that makes a house a home and that who we spend our time with is more important then where we spend our time at. You threw open your house door, your refrigerator door, and the door to your hearts and we quickly found ourselves wrapped up in the love of your family.
I knew God had placed us there for the first day. It was a humbling realization as we showed each other His heart in different ways.
Thank you, from my heart to yours. A little piece of the Barnes family will travel with me the rest of my Race and into my life. You made 3 girls that were a long way away from home feel like they had just stepped into it and taught us what true hospitality means.
Here’s to the delicious coffee, the endless supply of snickers, and all the deep belly laughs and sweet tears and here is to home stretching across the miles and continents.
Remember, it’s not goodbye it’s just “See ya later”. Love y’all!!
