It was in the most unlikely of places

The first time I saw your face

I knew you’d be someone special to me

I just didn’t think it’d be this early in the race

 

When we arrived at El Shaddai

I wasn’t sure what to do

As you walked into the chapel

I instantly fell in love with you

 

When they introduced you to me

You instinctively reached for my hand

My heart fluttered a little bit

And I knew God had a plan

 

At first our relationship was difficult

But that time passed rather quickly

Soon you were the one to seek me out

And the rest, we could say, was history

 

We spent our days in the sun

Laying in the hammock and having fun

Playing soccer and cards galore 

These days are what the World Race is for

 

Caring for the orphans and for the widows

Is what the Word tells us to do

But I went above and beyond that, Joseph

I opened up my heart to you

 

You remind me of a boy I once knew 

He was a very special little boy

I didn’t know him quite that well

But you both fill me with so much joy

 

Now that I have to say goodbye

There’s one thing that remains true

No matter where in the world I am

I will always love you

 

During month two of life on the World Race, my squad went to an orphan care point called El Shaddai in Mbabane, Swaziland where I got partnered with a sweet little 8 year old boy named Joseph. He was brought there as a newborn, extremely malnourished, and couldn’t even fit into premie clothes. But now he is a thriving, kind-hearted, knucklehead of a boy who always kept a smile on my face! ome thing that I tried to keep reiterating to him was that even though I had to leave, my love for him would not falter, just as Christ’s love for him Would never change. Joseph has forever made an impact on my heart. I will never forget his mischievous smile when he was up to no good or his gutteral laugh when he would kick my butt at garbage (A card game that he taught me).

I love you as big as the sky, Joseph

and I always will