We have done home visits a lot this year. In every country they look different. Sometimes we would do two a day and stay for an hour or so talking with people. Sometimes we fit in 6 in a morning and spent 5 minutes talking. It all depended on the country, the contact and the culture.
In Moldova we trekked all over Cornesti with really heavy bags of food. We loaded up our purses or backpacks and went for a walk until everyone had given away what they carried.
One day, we walked and dropped off food, praying for the people only if they were home. At the very last house, there was an adorable babushka sitting outside and it almost felt like she was waiting for us.
We gave her a bag of food. Michelle prayed for her. And then we noticed the pile of wood sitting next to her. Our lovely translator, Veronica, asked if we could break up the wood so she could have some for the fire. And with 7 of us there, it took a grand total of 2.9 minutes to accomplish that seemingly small task.
We said our goodbyes and there were tears in the babushka’s eyes as Michelle and Catherine kissed her before they left.
I walked down the street behind everyone else, thinking.
I’ve seen a lot this year. I’ve hugged a lot of kids. I’ve spoken to a lot of people. On rare occasions, I’ve gotten to be hospitable at times too. There have been moments where me or my team has literally made someone’s day or month or year.
I thought back to this babushka we just helped.
It was so simple, so quick, and yet I could tell that we had made her day.
And if it cost me $14,300 to travel all over the world for a year to make one person’s day. it was totally worth it.
In Moldova we trekked all over Cornesti with really heavy bags of food. We loaded up our purses or backpacks and went for a walk until everyone had given away what they carried.
One day, we walked and dropped off food, praying for the people only if they were home. At the very last house, there was an adorable babushka sitting outside and it almost felt like she was waiting for us.
We gave her a bag of food. Michelle prayed for her. And then we noticed the pile of wood sitting next to her. Our lovely translator, Veronica, asked if we could break up the wood so she could have some for the fire. And with 7 of us there, it took a grand total of 2.9 minutes to accomplish that seemingly small task.
We said our goodbyes and there were tears in the babushka’s eyes as Michelle and Catherine kissed her before they left.
I walked down the street behind everyone else, thinking.
I’ve seen a lot this year. I’ve hugged a lot of kids. I’ve spoken to a lot of people. On rare occasions, I’ve gotten to be hospitable at times too. There have been moments where me or my team has literally made someone’s day or month or year.
I thought back to this babushka we just helped.
It was so simple, so quick, and yet I could tell that we had made her day.
And if it cost me $14,300 to travel all over the world for a year to make one person’s day. it was totally worth it.
