I was actually really excited about our gifts but wasn’t sure what the girls would think. Laura and I took pictures with each girl and framed them. We had many other pictures from the year as well that we gave to each one. We also made cards and wrote nice notes to all the girls. When we gave them these gifts they were so excited! Their faces lit up! As they began opening them the screams started coming…more and more as each one opened their own. They were ecstatic! I couldn’t believe that something as simple as a picture could make someone that excited. But it did! I couldn’t stop smiling as I watched them run around the room showing each other the pictures they had gotten. I got some of the most genuine thank yous as well…accompanied by big hugs! It was a priceless moment!
We tried to take them outside to take one final group shot, and it took forever to organize them as they were still showing each other their “gifts”. But, we finally got them together and got one last amazing shot with “our girls”. So, here they are…our amazing, wonderful, unforgettable Lerato House girls…
(FRONT L-R: Thando, Maria, Nthabiseng BACK L-R: Me, Masika, Sibongile, Tebogo, Mmathapelo, Nonjabulo, Laura, Portia, House Mom Lizzie, Thabang, Dimakatso, Natalie, Bontle)
These girls have a huge part of my heart! I will forever remember this time in South Africa when I got to meet and spend time with 14 young girls and when these 14 young girls got to hang out with 2 random, crazy (white!) Americans. This Thursday will probably be very tough as we say our very final goodbyes to them. Please pray for these girls. At times they ask, “Why are you leaving us?” It breaks my heart! I pray they know and remember the LOVE we have for them…and not that we “left” them. I pray they cherish these moments we had…as I will be doing! These girls all come from very tough backgrounds and have a long way to go. Although I won’t be with them in person any longer, they will always be remembered in my thoughts and prayers. They definitely showed me how to LOVE in a new way, and I am the better for it.
Thank you again for all your support and prayers throughout my time here! Because of you I was able to meet “my girls” and have an amazing time learning from them and knowing what it means to serve in love.
In Christ’s amazing Love,
manda
2 comments:
So, I was planning to write pretty much the same post, opened my e-mail and thought... dangit! She beat me to it!! You captured the emotion of the time really well, though... maybe I should just refer my people to your blog this time!
You forgot the part about the guy pulling the other guy out of the semi truck going the wrong way in traffic 3 feet away from us, though... j/k. and TIA. :o)
Hello Peanut. For me this latest blog entry sums up your whole journey in SA. What better measure of a job well done than the visible and deep love between sisters from different continents who were total strangers just a short time ago. Love is also a 'simple' gift and that is what 'your girls', Laura, and you were really responding to. We are all so excited to see you in a couple of weeks and hear even more about 'your girls', your sister and brother apprentices, your team, and your journey.
Love,
Su papa.
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