Hi everybody! This is Kyrstin. So
just to update everybody, we are in San Lucus and today was our first work day
in the village and I think it went really well. Chloe Brown and I were cutting
and putting wire and stuff together for the houses we are building, but that’s
not really what I want to talk about. I want to talk about an experience that I
had while we were at the women’s shelter. Throughout the three days that the
team was at the women’s shelter I was there for two. During these two days I
grew a very strong relationship with a little girl whose name is Joleity (not
sure of the spelling). The first time I met Joleity she gave me a HUGE hug. I
didn’t know her name and she didn’t know mine. I just couldn’t believe that I
could have such and amazing bond with a little girl that I didn’t even know.
The second I felt her in my arms I knew we had something special and I think
she knew it also. When we left the first day, Joleity came up and asked me if I
would be back the next day. I had to be honest with her and tell her I didn’t
know because Doug hadn’t picked what people would be going to the women’s
shelter or Palin. That night when Doug was telling who would be where the next
day he had originally put me in the group to go to Palin but immediately after
he told me this I felt this punch in my heart from God. He was telling me that
I needed to ask Doug to be at the women’s shelter. At that point Doug told me
he didn’t know because he needed certain people there. That night without my
knowledge my mom talked to Doug about me going to the women’s shelter. Hearing
this the next day and hearing that I would be going back and not to Palin I
just knew that God had a plan for me there. That morning after breakfast we
headed to the shelter and right when we arrived there Joleiti was waiting for
me inside the gait. As I walked in she gave me another huge hug at told me she
was really happy that I could be there again with her. That day was her
birthday. She was turning ten and I felt that I needed to spend most of the day
with her and just build a stronger relationship with her, so I did. It was
really amazing to spend all day with her and get to know her really well. The
next day was very bittersweet because it was our last day there but we got to
spend it at the water park with the women and children. It was really really
fun to watch Joleity learn how to swim and not give up. She was so motivated
and it made me so motivated to help her get it. She eventually did and I could
tell she felt so accomplished. When it came time to say goodbye it was so very
hard. We all gathered in the dining room of the shelter and said our favorite
part about being at the shelter. When it came to me I said every moment was my
favorite. I know that it was really being able to have a relationship with
Joleiti and God was the only reason that happened. When Joleiti said her
favorite part about us being there was getting to be with me and spend time
with me. She said this with tears streaming down her face and I could hold back
my tears any longer. I had to say goodbye to this little girl that I only knew
for three days but to me it felt like eternity. I really couldn’t do anything
except hold her and cry with her for the last hour we were there. Before we
left I let her pick out jewelry for me to buy. One thing she picked out was a
bracelet, which I gave to her because I wanted her to have something to
remember me by. She gave me a charm that she had and a head band. I know that
some people might think that isn’t much but to me it represents the
relationship we built over the three days. When I left Joleiti I knew that I
left with her knowing that I love her so much and God loves her more than I
ever could. I really hope I will be able to get back in touch with her one day,
but if I don’t I know I left her with those two things and that is the most
important things to leave with her and the other children and women at the
shelter. I really believe that God had a plan for me to be at the women’s
shelter and I believe that he gave me the strength to act on his calling to me.
I hope this wasn’t too long but I felt like I needed to share. Thank you
everyone for all the prayers and support at home. We will see you guys in 6
days! Love to all!
Kyrstin Brower
No comments:
Post a Comment