I love people. Groups of people may overwhelm me, but give me a small group or a person to talk one-on-one with and I am all in. I love hearing people’s stories; their hearts. I love learning from them. There are many wise people in the world and often we don’t take the time to listen.
Even prior to this trip, I have made friends all around the world. In 2014, after 3 months in Honduras, I had come to deeply love many kids and friends there. I did not know how I would be able to say goodbye, but I did eventually have to get on a plane back home.
I found my answer. It may not be easy, but it is totally possible. I left Honduras with hands full of letters and pictures drawn by tiny hands. I left with a heart full of love for these people and eyes full of tears. I left covered in the grace of God because no one said saying goodbye would be easy, but I wouldn’t trade the going to give up the leaving.
The nature of this mission trip is that we spend a month in each place. One month. It’s really not that long. It is long enough for me to really get to know our hosts or friends in the area. It’s long enough to hear people’s stories and hearts. It’s long enough to really get to know the place we are in. And then it’s time to leave.
Three times now, I’ve made friends, invested in relationships, loved kids deeply and fully and then moved on to an entirely different location. I remember them all, usually by name, but if I happen to forget their name, I won’t forget their stories.
And I will be doing it 8 more times, at least. Then there is the fact that our alumni team leaders left, we will have team change, and our squad leaders will be leaving. This year of my life includes lots of goodbyes.
And they still aren’t my favorite, but I think I see some beauty in them.
There are people in all parts of the world serving the Lord, ministering to their communities, meeting needs and providing service. They all have amazing stories of how God brought them there.
There are people in all parts of the world living in rejection and brokenness and the love of Christ and kindness go a really long way. In my experience, these become some of the most loyal friends.
I could tell you about each and every person, and maybe someday I will. I can tell you how they changed my life, impacted my race, serve their ministry, and love those around them. I can tell you about the stories of redemption, brokenness, sorrow and rescue. I can tell you how I see the Kingdom in all my new friends around the world.
I could tell you how hard it was to leave them behind and how many times I have stated that I miss them since leaving. But instead, I am going to tell you how wonderful it was to meet them all. It was a privilege to know their hearts and to share meals with them. I will tell you how beautiful it will be one day when we all reunite in heaven with friends representing many different nations around the world – what a celebration it will be.
Now that I’m in Togo I do have a language barrier, and this does limit my ability to get to know the stories of everyone I meet. But I think nonverbal communication goes far. I can still see brokenness deep in their eyes. I see the joy and light of the Lord in their smiles. I can still lend a listening ear even if I don’t understand the language being spoken to me. A touch of comfort transcends language. High fives with little kids still bring joy.
I think you can still know someone even if you don’t speak the same language and I am excited to see how that unfolds in the coming months. And although goodbyes will be coming sooner than I would like, I will embrace the time I have here to get to know the hearts of the people of Togo while I can.
With lots of love,
Kayla
