Saying goodbye to volunteers is always a tough time, but this morning was not an easy goodbye at all. Christina was out here for pretty much her whole summer or about two months. She was here last December and the second she left, she knew God was already calling her back. It didn’t take her long at all to raise the funds and get back on the plane to return to the place that stole her heart. However, this time, there was one huge difference: she was returning completely alone.
Part of me understands how it feels to come here with a team and feel such a strong calling to come back alone. The biggest difference is that Christina has just graduated from high school and is giving up her time at a much earlier age. For me, the summer after my senior year of high school was spent celebrating and doing anything I could to get my mind off of school while working out and working on my tan in “preparation” for college life. I’m pretty sure I’m not in the minority on that decision. Christina is because while she could have had an easy summer of relaxing and “preparation”, she has given it all up to come and serve these kids.
When I say “serve” I truly mean it because she wasn’t able to leave the home much. We give our volunteers one day off a week and take them to church on Sunday mornings along with other outreach opportunities, but other than that, they’re with the kids. I always loved seeing her with the kids, because her love for them was so obvious. Even during her off shifts, her conversations were centered around the children and it was hard to pull her away from them for rest. Needless to say, today was a tough time for her and the kids as well.
You know, I’m so encouraged to see Christina serving and growing out here. Whenever I meet with youth, I constantly tell them of the first verse I ever memorized, 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let others look down on you because you are young, but set an example for all believers…”. Was Christina too young to love and impact these kids? Was she too young to spend two months away from her closest family and friends? Was she too young to fly half way around the world, go through customs, and finally arrive at her destination all alone? I’m sure most of us would answer yes, but watching her this summer, I’m reminded of that verse even more and how we’re never too young to serve the Lord.
For now, Christina is headed back home for college in hopes to get the training and education she needs to maybe one day continue the work she started out here. It will be hard for her to return to us for a while with all her studies and coursework, but I don’t think the option will ever really leave her mind. It’s obvious to see her love for this place and something like that can never be forgotten. She has been a blessing to our home, and I know the kids will await her return…
