We’re done. Three months has flown by and I’ve said goodbye
to everyone who now owns a piece of my heart. Whenever you do something like
this you always ask, “Am I really making a difference? Have I wasted my time
here?” I was asking that. Then I got my answer.
“I’m sad.” I looked down at Manjunah. He had muttered it the
first time, so I asked, “What?” He repeated it again a little louder but never
looked up at me. “Because we’re leaving?” I asked. He leaned his head on me as
he nodded. “But I’m coming to America, me and Kumar,” he said, nodding over
toward the boy sitting on the other side of me. I smiled. “Manjunah, you can do
whatever you want to do, just keep working hard in school and never give up.
You’re a smart boy, don’t ever forget that.” He half smiled, but not without a
look in his eyes that said he wished we would just stay forever.
Alicia started to get the kids attention, telling them this
was our last day, telling them how much we love them but giving one last
reminder that even though we’re leaving, Jesus is always with them. I caught
Beks’ eye across the room and she mouthed, “Is he ok?” I looked down at
Manjunah and tears were streaming down his face. Sobs began to choke out of his
throat. And there went my dry eyes. Within minutes almost every single kid in
the room was sobbing. 30 of them, maybe more.
These kids are amazing. The girls are gorgeous and so
incredibly sweet. The boys are little gentlemen (well, most of them), as they
carry our bags for us and help us quiet down the younger kids. They’re manners
are a breath of fresh air after being smothered in a culture of disrespect for
women and abuse of wives and children. Kumar came up to me and said, “No go to
America, I am missing you.” I looked at this 13 year old boy from a slum in
Southern India and knew that he alone could change India. I smiled and said,
“Kumar, you have to promise me something.” He smiled back and raised his
eyebrows, the Indian gesture for “What?” “You have to promise me to always be a
gentlemen, and always be nice to girls. You’re a smart boy, and you can change
the world. Do you promise?” I held up my pinky and he locked it with his with a laugh.
“I promise.” The beam that remained on his face as we all headed back into the
house told me he loved that someone saw enough potential in him to give him
that responsibility. I know those boys will never forget what we have taught
them about God and respect for others. And it’s those lessons taken to heart
that will make a lasting impact.
Thank you all for reading our blogs and for keeping us in
your prayers. It’ll take some time for me to process everything that I’ve
learned and experienced in these past three months. As we leave for the U.S.,
I’m leaving bits and pieces of my heart with every child and woman I’ve grown
to love during my time. They may forget me, but I pray they never forget Whom I
came to represent in whatever small way I could.
I’m not leaving the same person that I came as and I know
that people here have been changed by us being here. I feel so honored to have
been a part of God’s work here! God bless India. Leaving you is harder than I
expected. Hey, America…
