An Open Letter To The Ringus Of The World

Here is the third of the open letter series. All of these have meant a lot to me. This one included.

I grew up in church. I grew up with two highlights of my summer when I was a child being camp and VBS. I’m proud of that. I loved VBS. Something they made one of our enrichments and rotations in both camp and VBS was missions. We would have a time where we heard stories about missions and people in other countries. I was always fascinated by this time. They would speak in another language, tell us stories. I thought it was the coolest thing.

In the church I grew in, my parents were faithful servants. We were there every time the doors were open.

Our teachers told us the story of Ringu once. I still remember it to this day so vividly. Ringu lived in India. They told us about witch doctors. Then they told us about how Ringu was scared. They talked about how someone new came to the village. They didn’t look like anyone in India. They said they were a missionary. The missionary played with the kids in the village and Ringu built trust with the missionary. The missionary man told Ringu and the people of the village about something that would change their lives forever. Jesus.

When I look back on this story, I feel a lot of things. I think about my life right now. I think about how at this point I’ve been blessed to do ministry with 8 different countries. I’ve met a whole bunch of kids. And when I think about this story, so many faces run through my mind. They weren’t just kids. They were my friends.

This is their open letter

An Open Letter To The Ringus Of The World.

Dear friends,

You have truly changed my life.

You have always invited me into your world. No questions asked.

You have taught me how to have joy.

You have taught me how to be brave.

You have taught me to be faithful.

You taught me that creativity is universal.

You taught me why family is important.

You taught me that family doesn’t have to be blood.

You taught me to never forget where I came from.

You loved me. Like family. I’ll never forget that.

I know I left after a month or so, but I never stop thinking about you all.

I believe so much in who you are and who you’re going to be.

You are so strong.

You are able.

To be anything.

Do you know that?

Do you believe that?

I need you to. You can change your country, neighborhood, village. I believe in you.

I’m sorry I didnt’ know more Chichiwea, Spanish, Sasotho or Khmer.

But please know this. I always take our small conversations with us.

I always think about the games we played and the laughs we shared.

You are the future. In all meanings of the word.

To me, you weren’t kids. You were friends.

It wasn’t just you learning from me, it was me also learning from you.

I’ll never look at a soccer ball the same. When I see it. I think about all the games we played.

I think about how talented you all are.

Please don’t try to be as good as Ronaldo or Messi. Just be you.

I said it earlier, and I’ll say it again.

You are able. You can change the world.

You don’t have to be what you’ve seen.

I believe you can change the world.

I want you to dream big.

Do you have a dream?

I hope so.

Remember when you would chase the truck or the tuk tuk as we left?

I hope you chase your dreams like that.

Fast with nothing but sheer joy on your face feeling like nothing can touch you.

You are able.

You’re worthy of dreaming.

You work so endlessly. Don’t forget to rest.

Thank you for helping your family. You have made me want to help mine more.

Remember when you cried when I left? And we sat they’re crying together?

That was sad. But I want you to remember the song you would sing.

You are my sunshine.

You shine.

My best friend Katrina wrote on a card before I left.

It said this.

Tu eres el oro del mundo

It means you are the gold of the world.

I read that card again today. Now, when I read it I see all of you.

You are the gold of the world. You are not just kids.

You are world changers.

You are going to be Mothers and Fathers.

I saw the care for your siblings. You’re going to be great parents.

Please never lose your joy.

You are loved.

At night, when I look at the moon. I remember the moon in other countries. When you look at that moon. I want you to know you are loved. Prayed for. Known. Not forgotten.

Thank you for you your friendship. I hope one day we can meet again.

Maybe in a village, maybe in a school, maybe at tele pizza. Maybe in America. Maybe in heaven.

You always have a friend in me.

Don’t forget.

I won’t ever forget you.

You are the gold of the world.

Love Always,

Z