Friday was our last day working at the camp for people with disabilities and leaving was so hard. I want to effectively share my feelings, so here’s my journal entry for that day. (Names have been removed for the staff and kids)
“Well, we just finished our last day of ministry at camp. My heart physically hurts with a feeling of heaviness and sadness. The first day I was so uncomfortable and lost when it came to trying to follow instructions given to me in Spanish. And uncomfortable around the campers too. But as we left today, I got to have conversations in Spanish with our teacher, an incredible woman who loves so selflessly and gives everything she has to these kids day in and day out. I absolutely love getting to push wheelchairs, give massages, feed children, play silly games, read books, and even change diapers (okay maybe I don’t love that part but I don’t mind it) The joy that radiates from one boy’s face while he is dancing so hard, a girl’s crazy laugh when she sees my teammate Noah and I racing on toy cars down a hill, the way a different girl lights up just from a song, another boy’s sweet smile while being tickled, the way one girl looks at her boyfriend (my teammate) Noah, and how happy this one girl got every time during a foot massage are some great memories I never want to forget. There were hard things too like changing poopy diapers, attempting to brush teeth, feeding lunch and snacks, getting my hair pulled and then slapped by a girl, and holding a sweet girl as she threw up multiple times, but this camp will forever have a piece of my heart. It was such a challenging, yet growing 2 weeks.”
This is real. It’s hard, but it’s part of life on the Race. The amazing part is, we know that the camp is still in incredible hands and the Lord’s favor is all over it.
