I’m sitting here, 10:30 at night on my last night at a ministry site. It’s such a surreal feeling- our last month is actually coming to a close and we are about to head to final debrief in the morning. These last few days I’ve been doing a lot more reflecting on this month as a whole- our ministry, our hosts, the work that’s being done in this community. I do this every month as we start packing up to leave for another country, and I typically will feel some level of sorrow leaving behind the ones we’ve grown to know and love.
But as I reflect on our time, I don’t feel bad leaving our new friends behind. I’m content. Happy, even.
In a majority of the communities we’ve lived in this year, we have found that people flock to us. Yes, we’re Americans. Yes, I’m a tall, blonde, white girl. Yes, I stand out for many obvious reasons. However, that’s not always the sole reason adults and children crave to be around us. In many places, we have found that people are craving attention and love. When our team shows up and the only task on our agenda is to love, it can be overwhelming. Adults attempt to have conversations with us, children never leave our side. They crave this love we have to offer.
After all these months of the same thing happening over and over again, I had gotten used to it. It never surprised me when the kids wouldn’t leave me alone. I had grown so accustomed to people flocking to me, it was a total shock when I walked into the community this month and that didn’t happen.
The adults were friendly and welcoming, and the kids were polite. But everyone kept going on with their lives. The kids continued playing their games together, reading books when it was time, cleaning after themselves, doing crafts as a group… what the heck was going on? Why didn’t they care that a whole group of gringos just walked in?
And then it hit me. These kids aren’t starving for attention. They aren’t needing to quench their thirst for love. Sitting back and watching everyone go through their routines, I saw small actions reflecting the Father’s incredible love. Our host, Kimi, hugging a child tight and giving him a kiss on the top of his head. Kimi’s husband, Raul, inviting teenagers in the community to come over and play games. The two of them opening up their home to kids in the community to come for warm and nutritious meals. Words of encouragement. Praises for good works. Responsibilities given. Loving hugs, high fives, and pats on the back.
People in this community are being loved so well by our hosts, it didn’t matter if we were here or not. Sure, we were able to come in and help with a few projects and hopefully ease some of their workload, but for the most part, they have things under control. When we leave in the morning, I don’t have to think about the sweet faces of children and wonder when their next hug will come. I won’t worry about the elderly feeling forgotten or abandoned. I know the programs we witnessed will continue even after we’re gone.
I know that there will be love.
Like I mentioned at the beginning, my team will leave in the morning and head to final debrief! I can hardly believe that this crazy 11 month journey will soon come to a close. During this next week, we will reunite with our squad and leadership team from the states, prepare for reentry, and celebrate everything God has done in the last year. I am incredibly excited to come home and see everyone, yet at the same time, my heart is so sad to leave my L Squad family. After spending a week on the beach together, we will board our final plane together and fly back to the US on Saturday, July 25!
Thank you all for joining me on this adventure learning more about people in the world around me, about God’s amazing character, and learning more about who God created me to be. Thanks for your endless words of encouragement, for your prayers, and for reading my blogs! You guys are the best!
xo, Caitlin
