Two shifts left at camp.
To say I’m sad to be leaving this place is the biggest understatement of the year. I have completely fallen in love.
I have fallen in love with people from 41+ countries.
I have fallen in love with a multitude of cultures and languages.
I have fallen in love with children of all ages saying “hello, my friend,” hugging me all at once, and holding my hand while walking across the camp.
I have fallen in love with families that offer us into their tents for tea or food.
I have fallen in love with all of the joy that can be found in this camp.
But, after we fall in love, heartbreak is always somewhere near.
My heart breaks for the families that are sleeping outside, because we ran out of tents and are waiting for more.
My heart breaks for the people we can’t give blankets to, because we already gave them what we are able to give.
My heart breaks for the people that need tarps and pallets because it is about to rain, but again, we ran out and are waiting for more.
My heart breaks for the minors that have to go through this without their family.
My heart breaks at the reality of the journey these amazing and inspiring people had to take just to get here.
What we do with heartbreak is up to us.
God has used this month to show me more of His love for us.
I thought I knew, but He has taught me that I have been running away from this love He has called us to for a very long time.
His kind of love is so real, so vulnerable, and so far from easy. It runs deep.
Before this month, I would run away before getting too close in fear of being hurt. I thought that was best, because why would I voluntarily let myself get heartbroken. That just doesn’t make any sense.
But, God has revealed to me that I haven’t experience the true love that He offers to us.
When we run away from God or disappoint Him, He stills loves us.
Through this month, falling in love with these beautiful people, allowing myself to truly be heartbroken, and not running away from what God is doing in my heart has been such an emotional rollercoaster, but has been so life-changing.
I see people through God’s eyes and am genuinely loving them without trying to guard myself from getting hurt.
I am so thankful for a God whose heart breaks for us and continues to love us through it all.
This month has been so amazing, and I have found a passions for the people that are running towards hope. If you have any questions about our month at the refugee camp, please comment questions, and my team is going to a Q&A video to inform you all more of what it was like!
