I never fathomed how hard saying goodbye to the people of el palmer would be until the final hug goodbye came. I was sitting on the bus lost in thought; I turned to look out the window and see 6 year old Jasmine looking up at my window waving goodbye.
I run off the bus to scoop her into my arms, hugging her so tight and wishing that I would never have to let go. It took everything in me to hold the tears back.
When I got back to my seat, I sat down and began to cry. The bus pulled away and I watched the kids run alongside the bus like they did every day after ministry, but today was different. I wouldn’t be back tomorrow to spin her in circles, I wouldn’t be able to do one more wheel-barrel race around the village.
I didn’t want to leave her there, not knowing when she’d have her next bowl of ice cream, next dance party, or even next meal.
I was so frustrated with myself in the moment; I asked myself why saying goodbye had to be so hard? Why had I flown across the world just to say goodbye?
I soon realized that I didn’t come just to say goodbye, I came to make a difference and to love.
My team and I built two houses that those families will always have and remember us by and I loved those kids which is the most important thing you can do.
For me, the language barrier was something I struggled with and at times made me feel like the there was no way I could ever minster to. But for jasmine to unconditionally love me made me understand the love the Lord has for us in a way I’ve always struggled with: the idea that in order to be loved I need to be someone and for jasmine to love me with no requirement really made me realize Jesus’ love for me.
You don’t need to be someone to be loved, you just need to be you.
Thank you Jasmine for teaching me how Jesus loves us.
Love truly does have no requirements.
