It is amazing how one experience
can change your world FOREVER.
A part of me was excited to come back and share this story.
That was, of course, before I had the story to tell.
Now that I have a story to tell, I no longer feel qualified to tell it.
How can you sum up a experience,
a life changing experience at that, in a matter of words.
The life we once knew no longer exist, it is weird to say, but its so true.
This sense of normalcy is somewhat saddening to me.
You see, I left part of my heart in Africa with a boy named Gordon.
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A boy who had me at Hello!
Lynette’s Sister Denise warned us.
She said we would experience new feelings we had never felt.
A part of me shrugged that off.
We were there to love these children and not take a moment for granted.
I can tell you, that we did!!!!
What I didn’t realize was that, along the way, I would fall in love with this face.
Then when it was time to say goodbye, I would hug him, tell him I will miss him
and promised him I would be back, yet his tears continued to fall.
His heart was broken and so was mine, and I feel totally responsible.
You see he is only 5 and has probably experienced more heartache and pain
then one man ever should.
SO I apologize for
the stories I have not told
they were REMARKABLE.
or the people I experienced them with
they are HEROS.
Its just a broken heart never heals quickly.
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I read Denise’s blog today and felt a
sense of relief in knowing I wasn’t alone in how I am adjusting.
I could never thank her enough for sharing this experience with me.
I am confident in saying that these stories will live longer then we will.
I am also confident in saying, that although there is a sense of sadness there is a
bigger sense of HOPE.
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I have not been more proud to be a part of Matilda Jane
then I was in just a few days,
and I think this quote sums up our whole trip.
“Be the change you want to see in this world”
XOXO
Kayla
The children there are beautiful!
Neat pictures and quite the experience!!!
Heart felt post. Thank you, Kayla, for sharing.
Whew! Those eyes, that smile … that presh face! How do we get him here??
Thank you for sharing. I have been feeling for a while that I would live to go on a mission trip with out church and your stories continue to inspire and encourage me to go.
that is my favorite quote. Mahatma Ghandi was the change
Beautiful post at a perfect time when we all are rushing around in the holiday madness. Words like these bring clarity to the chaos. Your post reminds me of the book The Sunflower. If you have never read it, I bet your experience in Africa would strike a real connection with the story.
This post has me dripping tears on the keyboard. I have so enjoyed reading about your trip & seeing the wonderful photos. Gordon is absolutely precious, how could your heart not be breaking. Thanks for sharing your heart & your trip with us all. I will continue to pray for the children at the orphanage. I think this is just the first chapter in a beautiful new story!
I told you the blog would come out just perfect! You did GREAT!
*tears* Beautifully written. I have loved all the posts about the trip to Africa and cannot even image how life changing it has been for you all. It really just strips away all that is not meaningful and important and forces us to look at ourselves and our world while inspiring us at the same time.
I see hope in his eyes! So wonderful for you to be able to bring that hope to him and the other children!
I SOOOO know how you feel. The last trip I took like this changed me forever! Our family leaves Wednesday to go and get our daughter! She is at an orphange in Uganda. We will be home, Lord willing sometime in January. The Bible says our hearts should pour out for the fatherles, so we….well, I know that was The Holy Spirit prompting on my last mission trip! So thankful for your hearts!!!
Love can change us, in an instant. You are a beautiful soul, happy to see images of your experience.
We love you!
Take good care.
What a wonderful experience you must have endured. Knowing that you brought love, sunshine, and happiness to Gordon and all of these children, makes you a special person and gives these children a glimmer of hope! Thanks for sharing your blog.
Having been to Kitale, Kenya twice I can fully attest to the fact that although you go there to hope to make a difference in their lives, it is the children who forever help to change YOUR life. I am Jim Cooper and Charlotte’s aunt and I am so grateful for their family’s commitment thru Chicks for Children Foundation to offer hope to these sweet children who are so deserving of love, help, and hope for a bright future. Thank you and Matilda Jane family for your love and generosity for these wonderful children. Blessings!
What a beautiful post, I have never felt so vested and interested in learning from/about a group of people I will never meet
*Tears Welling in the corner of my eyes* after reading your post. I can only imagine what a life changing experience this would have been. What an amazing thing Matilda Jane is doing for these beautiful children. Children are able to break into your heart in matter of moments after meeting them for the first time, as I am sure you experienced with Gordon. You two will have each other in your hearts for the rest of your lives.