From Taylor Essa:
As our trip is coming to an end we have had to say many goodbyes to kids. Some that we have formed amazing relationships with.
Today a group of 5 of us had to say one of the hardest goodbyes to some kids that we met this week from a Gypsy village just outside of Alexandria. I had the opportunity of going to this village these past 2 days. From the moment we would walk through the doors the kids would start cheering and would run up to us, even though we would get there in the middle of worship, with the brightest smiles on their faces. It has been an amazing experience to see how happy these kids get from the smallest thing. Something as small as a wave would create the biggest smile that would fill their face and would make their day. I have realized that all these kids want is to be shown attention and affection whether that be through a high five, knuckles, or a hug.
As we left the village today some of the kids that we connected with were so sad to see us leave that they cried as we were saying our goodbyes. Even some girls that I didn’t get the chance to talk to, but simply just waved at, came running to me embracing me with the biggest hug and began to cry in my arms. These kids have close to nothing but gave us gifts to remember them by. They have nothing yet they gave us everything.
This trip has truly reminded me how little the things of this world matter. These kids have not cared about gifts that we have been trying to give them or the crafts that we brought for them, but what they have cared most about is us. They want to do the craft with us. They want to do the game with us. They want to sit with us, even if we are sitting in silence. Through our actions is how they feel the love that their hearts long for, but don’t receive much of.
One of the youngest girls at the camp was very shy and wouldn’t look, talk, or even acknowledge anyone. After being very persistent the first day that I went to the camp through waving, attempting to give her a high five, and many unanswered “ce faci” (how are you), she finally opened up to me once we started playing catch with a bouncy ball. Once I got her out of her shell, she was attached to me and didn’t want to leave my side. She was filled with so much laughter that was so contagious and brought the biggest smile to my face. This was a very special moment for me because many people kept telling me that they tried to get her to open up, but they were never successful. I will never forget this moment or this little girl and will carry this memory with me forever.
As our trip is coming to an end we have had to say many goodbyes to kids. Some that we have formed amazing relationships with.
Today a group of 5 of us had to say one of the hardest goodbyes to some kids that we met this week from a Gypsy village just outside of Alexandria. I had the opportunity of going to this village these past 2 days. From the moment we would walk through the doors the kids would start cheering and would run up to us, even though we would get there in the middle of worship, with the brightest smiles on their faces. It has been an amazing experience to see how happy these kids get from the smallest thing. Something as small as a wave would create the biggest smile that would fill their face and would make their day. I have realized that all these kids want is to be shown attention and affection whether that be through a high five, knuckles, or a hug.
As we left the village today some of the kids that we connected with were so sad to see us leave that they cried as we were saying our goodbyes. Even some girls that I didn’t get the chance to talk to, but simply just waved at, came running to me embracing me with the biggest hug and began to cry in my arms. These kids have close to nothing but gave us gifts to remember them by. They have nothing yet they gave us everything.
This trip has truly reminded me how little the things of this world matter. These kids have not cared about gifts that we have been trying to give them or the crafts that we brought for them, but what they have cared most about is us. They want to do the craft with us. They want to do the game with us. They want to sit with us, even if we are sitting in silence. Through our actions is how they feel the love that their hearts long for, but don’t receive much of.
One of the youngest girls at the camp was very shy and wouldn’t look, talk, or even acknowledge anyone. After being very persistent the first day that I went to the camp through waving, attempting to give her a high five, and many unanswered “ce faci” (how are you), she finally opened up to me once we started playing catch with a bouncy ball. Once I got her out of her shell, she was attached to me and didn’t want to leave my side. She was filled with so much laughter that was so contagious and brought the biggest smile to my face. This was a very special moment for me because many people kept telling me that they tried to get her to open up, but they were never successful. I will never forget this moment or this little girl and will carry this memory with me forever.