They’re crying started while we
were sharing about what a blessing it has been to get to know them and serve
them. Each of us “teachas” took turns
telling them how much we loved them and are going to miss them. I was determined not to cry until I got on
the bus to head home, but as I saw a couple children crying across the room
tears began to fill my eyes.
The children
didn’t just shed a few tears like I had expected, they began to weep. Girls began crying on me. Laying their heads in my lap and on my
shoulder. They let their tears flow. However, I wasn’t the only one with children crying on me. All the other girls on my team had children on them as well. When our sharing
stopped, their cries progressed. Sorrow
filled the air. I had to stay strong.
I managed to dry the tears from my own eyes and comfort the children
around me. My team and I stared at each
other. Our own puffy red eyes, sad it all as
gazed at each other. Their hearts were broken. Our hearts were
broken.
The crying was so loud that it
ached. Not only that, but the children’s
mothers began to come to the house peeking their heads in to see what all the commotion
was about. They couldn’t
understand. They whole scenario was seriously
the hardest and the saddest thing I have ever seen or heard. It was as if someone had died. After some explanation, the mothers understood and left.
We wanted their last day to be
special and fun. Not full of lamenting and
turmoil. We had made each of the
children a special award with their name and picture on it. We also made them a goody bag that had pencils,
an eraser, a sharpener, candy and a picture of our team. However, before we could hand out these
gifts, we had to calm all the children down from their sobbing.
After some time we managed to quiet
them down and change their mood with deep breathes, several praise songs, and dancing. We gave each of the children their award and
gift! After some more praise songs and
last goodbyes, the children left for their home to show their parents all they
had received. They loved it!
Now, the time had come for us to
leave. We made our way down the little path
way for the last time. Children waved at
us and hugged us. Mixed emotions filled
me. Mothers grabbed us begging for us to
come into their homes for tea. They embraced
us, hugged us, and blessed us. It was
at this moment I realized how much of an impact we have had on not only these
children, but their mothers and families. By loving these children, we have been able to show their mothers what true
love is. They have been watching us and learning from us. We have been able to minister to the mothers
by pouring into their children’s lives.
Saying goodbye was so much harder
because I had realized how much of an impact we had made on the not only the
children of Goa. But the mothers, the
fathers, and so many more. I praise God
for this opportunity I have had. I
praise God for all that he has done in these last three months. I praise God for all that he is going to
do. This trip has been something I will
never forget.
Yes, saying goodbye was
hard, but each of the children I have grown to love have a special place in my
heart that will never be forgotten.
