"Aren't you excited?" It feels like the question has been asked a million times, especially as Monday and my (first international) flight to Johannesburg quickly nears.
Yes! I am over the moon with the thought of this new adventure! Just thinking about it makes me grin, but I have to say that not all of me is overflowing with joy. In fact, some of me is genuinely sad.
As I've spent the last two weeks dishing out beans in the soup kitchen, playing card games with teammates, and eating all the peanut butter I could ever want, this Salvation Army has become home. And more than that, the people around me have become family.
[Picture to come]
Meet my new sister, Jessica. (The one in the skirt) Jessica is the head honcho of the soup kitchen. Meaning that from around 8:00 to 6:00 everyday, she can be found cooking, cleaning, sorting, and placing orders. Did I mention she's only 19? Jessica constantly amazes me, and not only in her works, but in her faith too. She is a kind hearted, gracious, and humble servant for the Lord, and I am blessed to know her.
When I wasn't giggling in the kitchen with Jess, I could be found in the classrooms upstairs helping with homework, playing games, and decorating for Valentine's day. My heart broke on Friday. The kids who I had so easily fallen in love with, asked when I would be back. The hard truth is that I will probably never see these precious children again, and that kills me.
I have been so focused on the hellos that I get to say over the next months that I never even considered all the goodbyes. I am quickly learning just what Immersion means.
So much love,
Jaclyn
Yes! I am over the moon with the thought of this new adventure! Just thinking about it makes me grin, but I have to say that not all of me is overflowing with joy. In fact, some of me is genuinely sad.
As I've spent the last two weeks dishing out beans in the soup kitchen, playing card games with teammates, and eating all the peanut butter I could ever want, this Salvation Army has become home. And more than that, the people around me have become family.
[Picture to come]
Meet my new sister, Jessica. (The one in the skirt) Jessica is the head honcho of the soup kitchen. Meaning that from around 8:00 to 6:00 everyday, she can be found cooking, cleaning, sorting, and placing orders. Did I mention she's only 19? Jessica constantly amazes me, and not only in her works, but in her faith too. She is a kind hearted, gracious, and humble servant for the Lord, and I am blessed to know her.
When I wasn't giggling in the kitchen with Jess, I could be found in the classrooms upstairs helping with homework, playing games, and decorating for Valentine's day. My heart broke on Friday. The kids who I had so easily fallen in love with, asked when I would be back. The hard truth is that I will probably never see these precious children again, and that kills me.
I have been so focused on the hellos that I get to say over the next months that I never even considered all the goodbyes. I am quickly learning just what Immersion means.
So much love,
Jaclyn