Some of the best moments in life are found around the table with the people you love. The first time I’ve had one of these moments was on Thanksgiving with my family and I just sat there thinking, this is the best! I pause in all my thoughts and really capture the moment. We are there with my cousins, aunts, uncles, grandma, and grandpa hand in hand praying for what we are thankful for. We were laughing, catching up on life, and eating delicious food. I think to myself, I won’t get this moment again, so I close my eyes, take in the smells, and capture this moment in my life. Then, I began eating dinners around the world, capturing the moments one by one, wanting to engrave it in my memory.
In Haiti, all of us strangers sat around the table and became family. We would tell story’s while sipping on cokes and eating the fresh fruit with a nice Haitian dinner. Rice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We were all there whether we liked the food or not. Birthdays, cakes, and Fourth of July lightning show with watermelon. Water fights, bracelet making, movie nights with mangoes. We were there because we got nourishment and the ability to make a difference.
Then I went to Romania and ate very memorable meals. I miss eating with the whole squad. Laughter every night, music, and dancing. Just to even be there in the room amidst all the voices made me feel so present and alive. Daily devotions, late night talks, and scrambled eggs. Concrete charcoal fires with birthday cakes and hamburgers. Washing dishes to the smell of fried sausage. Going to the grocery store to get Buenos Bars and milk that is actually yogurt. All squad dinner with chicken, potatoes, carrots, and Mountain Dew. These were the nights! Memories for a lifetime.
One of my favorites was when we had dinner in Ukraine. It was so blissful because it was the food I had grown up with. The event was like slow motion in my head of people reaching across the table to get the bread, all of us laughing in fellowship, and a big smile on my face because this is what I live for, moments like this. To be in communion with the body of believers and to give praise to my beloved creator. Maybe this is a glimpse of what heaven will look like. Jesus breaking the bread for us and celebrating together as one in perfect fellowship.
Then we arrived in Chile with Humbly United! More people to make memories with. Eating empanadas with an orange crush in a small hot room that fit about 14 people. Dulce de leche dances in the kitchen. Salsa dancing with teachers in the teacher’s break room that serves coffee, lemon cake, and street food! Strawberries from a homeless man to show his thanks for our team painting a wall with hope, love, and friends! And last but not least, midnight Thanksgiving with family! We made chicken instead of turkey, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, applesauce, green bean casserole, apple pie, and hot chocolate. We all did things to make the night special. We went around the table and said what we were thankful for and I said, I’m thankful for friends in this season of life who can build me up and bring me closer to Christ. Getting accepted into the Race, I waited a long time for these moments and here we are! I’m very thankful for getting to pause and reflect on these moments that are life’s greatest moments. It’s the food that gets us through the day and the people who make the memories so great!
