Last month I was in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
We did a VBS called Victory Club for one week and we also helped out at a babies home that had 20 kids up to the age of 5.
I left a large part of my heart at that babies home and I don’t know that I will ever be the same.
Goodbyes are a huge part of the race and unfortunately it hasn’t gotten any easier for me. I have endured some pretty hard goodbyes but this one was different than the rest.
As a team we have a saying that goes “love hard, hold loosely.” Seems like a pretty simple concept but it is the hardest thing I have ever tried to do. One month seems like a long time to stay in one place but when you spend the month building relationships and loving on people, a month isn’t near long enough. There is no guarantee that we will see these sweet new friends again on this side of heaven and that’s hard for me to swallow.
Last month we spent our days loving on precious babies that don’t have families. Playing with them, listening to them, giving them the affection that they need. We got to hear their giggles and sometimes their cries. We got to be a part of their lives for an entire month. And then the worst part came, the goodbye. A goodbye that no little kid can understand. It was heart wrenching but at the same time it was comforting to know that God picked us to love on them. He knew that we would have trouble holding loosely but He also knew we would love hard.
A month full of joy ended in confusion and broken hearts. I pray everyday that the Lord protects the kids hearts and that they know how much we love them, even if we were only with them for a month. I can’t wait for the day that we get to be reunited in heaven. It will be a day of dancing and praising Jesus for his sweet blessings.
I cannot share very many details with you about the babies home but I can share some pretty adorable pictures!
I think you will understand why my heart broke when I had to leave those faces.
Photography: Kristen Poljansek
Much love!
