Yesterday was our final day of care point ministry. Today marks 31 days being away from home, meaning I’m halfway through. On Wednesday, we leave for South Africa.
Time is moving so incredibly fast. But the days at the care points moved so slow. And now looking back, I’m very grateful.
I don’t know what it is for me, but on every missions trip I go on, saying goodbye to the places I go isn’t a big thing for me. Maybe it’s because I keep myself closed off from feeling because I really don’t like goodbyes, but yesterday I asked God to do what he wanted. And I learned that goodbyes don’t have to be hard, they can be really joyful for a reason.
God 100% knew what I needed when I walked into the care point yesterday. I love kids, I really do. But I’ve learned that I love sitting and being with them the most, which is not what rowdy 4 year olds like to do all the time. I’ve had the best times sitting and holding sleepy babies. I don’t know what it is, I love getting to hold them and (hopefully) make them feel loved and safe. So when I was sitting and a 2 year little lady came walking towards me with her arms open for me, I was overjoyed. She instantly fell asleep in my arms for about an hour and a half.
I sat there and started wondering if this was an effective way to end this ministry. I had never seen this child before and there were kids everywhere that I knew and I wanted to say goodbye to. But I felt so content where I was. I took in everything around me, the mountains, the trees, the playground, the giggles, the screams, the child in my arms. And I realized that this is exactly where I’ve always imagined myself.
It’s really surreal. Like so surreal. I held onto her a little tighter while I cried tears of joy.
God is so good
I think I’m going to keep this blog short and sweet. I’m so grateful for Nsoko and everything that this place has taught me. I can’t wait to share more stories. But I can’t wait to keep pressing forward onto a new month and a new place. I have a really really good feeling about JBay. We leave on Wednesday for nearly 24 hours of bus rides so keep us in your prayers
