A Journal Entry While Leaving India:
Here I am sitting in a cab, slowly taking me farther and farther away.
Away from my relationships made in the past month.
Tears are currently rolling down my face.
My heart aches at the goodbye a little extra this time.
Not because of each month that continues to fly by, but because of the people I formed relationships with.
My 9-year-old students who threw me a party with mangos & fruit juice on my last day of class with them.
They come from broken homes. Single moms who visit them once a year, on their birthdays if they’re lucky.
Most would say they have very little, but I don’t see it that way.
They radiate joy like nothing I’ve seen before.
They made me genuinely enjoy teaching, and I really didn’t think that was possible.
They make you want to be a better person by simply being in their presence.
Paul & Anita, my ministry hosts, support these children and give them an education.
They see the love and potential in these kids and they don’t choose to look away.
They fight for them.
And they fought for me, too.
We were their ministry as much as they were ours.
It’s exactly what I needed.
They pulled out the thorns I had on day 1 with them and left me with a lot less to carry leaving day 33.
I feel lighter, happier, and have more clarity about who I am and who God wants me to be.
This was the longest month on the Race and yet it felt like the fastest.
India, who would’ve thought you’d be such a sweet time?
Thank you for filling me up this month, Abba. You placed me exactly where I needed to be.
You always do.
Until next time, India.
I’ll be back for you..
– a girl who unexpectedly fell deeply in love with India
