Honestly, this blog post has been the most difficult for me to write. There are so many things that I want to say. So I've just decided that I'm going to keep writing until my heart is content.
First of all, the Bible verses that are really pulling me through this week are James 1:2-4. They say, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." God did not make our lives perfect or easy. The trials and struggles that come in our life are there to help us. God wants us to learn from them and build our strength and perseverance because of them. I have a trial ahead of me this week. It kind of feels like this huge dark rain cloud that's looming over me. There's not going to be anything easy about saying goodbye to Carmel. But these verses remind me that this is just another trial in my life that God will help me to overcome. Another trial that will build up my perseverance and patience and deepen my faith. It is a wonderful reminder that I will most likely need to read over and over again on my plane rides back home.
The second thing I want to talk about is the incredible teachers that I've been able to work alongside for the past 6 months. They have become such great friends and have taught me so much. Seeing them in action teaching the kids that I love with all my heart has only deepened my respect for them. They have taught me the things that matter most to be a great teacher. These things are: patience, compassion, perseverance and good rapport with your students and fellow teachers. I look up to them so much and am going to miss spending time with them. But I won't ever forget the great times that we shared...conducting a week-long training for them my second week here and being so nervous, but then enjoying teaching them so much that my nerves disappeared. Sharing lunch with them on various occasions. Taking part in numerous throwball tournaments with them. Playing games with them and their students on Saturdays. Receiving flowers for my hair "just because." Preparing for programs and functions together. Dancing and playing tug of war at the team's community dinner in January. So many wonderful memories with so many dear friends. I feel so lucky to have established such great relationships with many of Carmel's amazing teachers.
I want to also mention 3 boys. The 3 boys who I actually dedicated one of my first posts to (the 3 boys who lost both of their parents - who were both HIV +). Udhaya, Sathish and Lokesh have become SUCH an important part of my life over these past 6 months. I love them with my whole heart. I call them my "thambis," which is Tamil for younger brothers. I've always thought it would be nice to have a brother and now God has blessed me with 3! The amazing relationships that God has formed between me and these boys are something that I am extremely thankful for. The other day, as we are sitting in study, Udhaya said something that really pulled my heartstrings. He said, "Aunty, you stay here 6 months. Only that time I am happy, Aunty." That truly made my heart break. It broke my heart to know that when I leave, he will be feeling sad. I tell them all the time that when they are sad, I am also. So, for Udhaya to share this with me, it made me realize just how much he loves me and how very much I love him and his brothers. Every day these boys put a smile on my face without fail. I've been fortunate enough to celebrate all three of their birthdays while I've been here. Their smiles, the sweet words, and the jokes that we have shared are SO special to me. I truly feel honored to call all 3 of these amazing boys my thambis. I am going to miss Udhaya, Sathish and Lokesh so much that my heart aches just thinking about it.
On Wednesday, the onslaught of gifts began. When I stay here for 2 weeks, I usually receive a bunch of drawings and maybe a few letters. But this literally has been overwhelming. On Thursday (for example), I received 14 gifts and 1 beautifully written 4-page letter (from my thambi, Sathish). You should see the pile of gifts waiting in my room to be packed!! However, these are such sweet and thoughtful gifts that I will most definitely cherish them and display them in my room. It fills my heart with such love to think that these kids would want to spend their money on a gift for me. These kids and teachers are beyond incredible (those words don't even begin to describe them) and I feel SO blessed to know them and call them my family.
On Thursday evening, the teachers held a special farewell ceremony for me. It was amazing. It touched my heart that they would take the time to speak about me in English in front of all the teachers and Backiearaj Sir (just speaking in English is a huge feat for many of them). Their words made me realize the impact that I have had on them over these past 6 months. They made me see that I've surpassed even my own goals for this journey. God truly does incredible things and I am in awe of His work at Carmel. These teachers are providing such an amazing opportunity for the many children of the Dharmapuri district. I am just happy to have been a small piece of that.
These 6 months at Carmel have been full of so many blessings. There have been difficult times, but the blessings have far outweighed the hardships. The entire experience has been something that I will NEVER forget. It has changed my life in more ways than one. My priorities have changed. My faith has grown immeasurably. I have gained 3 awesome younger brothers whom I love with all my heart. I've bettered my teaching skills. The list goes on and on...
The love I have received over these 6 months has given me a new mindset, a new way of thinking. I will never forget my Carmel family. NEVER. They are one of the most important things in my life. While this week has been sad and I know the next two days will only be more difficult, one truth remains with me. The overwhelming amount of love and affection that has been displayed to me is something that will always stay with me. Saying goodbye will be tough; there's no doubt about it, but I cannot forget that God is building up my faith and perseverance through all of this heartache and sadness.
I'd like to end on this thought. God is at work all around the world. He is at work through both the good times and the bad. He is at work in each of our lives; sometimes we just need to seek Him out a little more carefully. But really and truly, God is at work; and when you are able to witness it, it's a pretty incredible thing.
Thanks for sharing this unforgettable journey with me. <3
First of all, the Bible verses that are really pulling me through this week are James 1:2-4. They say, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." God did not make our lives perfect or easy. The trials and struggles that come in our life are there to help us. God wants us to learn from them and build our strength and perseverance because of them. I have a trial ahead of me this week. It kind of feels like this huge dark rain cloud that's looming over me. There's not going to be anything easy about saying goodbye to Carmel. But these verses remind me that this is just another trial in my life that God will help me to overcome. Another trial that will build up my perseverance and patience and deepen my faith. It is a wonderful reminder that I will most likely need to read over and over again on my plane rides back home.
The second thing I want to talk about is the incredible teachers that I've been able to work alongside for the past 6 months. They have become such great friends and have taught me so much. Seeing them in action teaching the kids that I love with all my heart has only deepened my respect for them. They have taught me the things that matter most to be a great teacher. These things are: patience, compassion, perseverance and good rapport with your students and fellow teachers. I look up to them so much and am going to miss spending time with them. But I won't ever forget the great times that we shared...conducting a week-long training for them my second week here and being so nervous, but then enjoying teaching them so much that my nerves disappeared. Sharing lunch with them on various occasions. Taking part in numerous throwball tournaments with them. Playing games with them and their students on Saturdays. Receiving flowers for my hair "just because." Preparing for programs and functions together. Dancing and playing tug of war at the team's community dinner in January. So many wonderful memories with so many dear friends. I feel so lucky to have established such great relationships with many of Carmel's amazing teachers.
I want to also mention 3 boys. The 3 boys who I actually dedicated one of my first posts to (the 3 boys who lost both of their parents - who were both HIV +). Udhaya, Sathish and Lokesh have become SUCH an important part of my life over these past 6 months. I love them with my whole heart. I call them my "thambis," which is Tamil for younger brothers. I've always thought it would be nice to have a brother and now God has blessed me with 3! The amazing relationships that God has formed between me and these boys are something that I am extremely thankful for. The other day, as we are sitting in study, Udhaya said something that really pulled my heartstrings. He said, "Aunty, you stay here 6 months. Only that time I am happy, Aunty." That truly made my heart break. It broke my heart to know that when I leave, he will be feeling sad. I tell them all the time that when they are sad, I am also. So, for Udhaya to share this with me, it made me realize just how much he loves me and how very much I love him and his brothers. Every day these boys put a smile on my face without fail. I've been fortunate enough to celebrate all three of their birthdays while I've been here. Their smiles, the sweet words, and the jokes that we have shared are SO special to me. I truly feel honored to call all 3 of these amazing boys my thambis. I am going to miss Udhaya, Sathish and Lokesh so much that my heart aches just thinking about it.
On Wednesday, the onslaught of gifts began. When I stay here for 2 weeks, I usually receive a bunch of drawings and maybe a few letters. But this literally has been overwhelming. On Thursday (for example), I received 14 gifts and 1 beautifully written 4-page letter (from my thambi, Sathish). You should see the pile of gifts waiting in my room to be packed!! However, these are such sweet and thoughtful gifts that I will most definitely cherish them and display them in my room. It fills my heart with such love to think that these kids would want to spend their money on a gift for me. These kids and teachers are beyond incredible (those words don't even begin to describe them) and I feel SO blessed to know them and call them my family.
On Thursday evening, the teachers held a special farewell ceremony for me. It was amazing. It touched my heart that they would take the time to speak about me in English in front of all the teachers and Backiearaj Sir (just speaking in English is a huge feat for many of them). Their words made me realize the impact that I have had on them over these past 6 months. They made me see that I've surpassed even my own goals for this journey. God truly does incredible things and I am in awe of His work at Carmel. These teachers are providing such an amazing opportunity for the many children of the Dharmapuri district. I am just happy to have been a small piece of that.
These 6 months at Carmel have been full of so many blessings. There have been difficult times, but the blessings have far outweighed the hardships. The entire experience has been something that I will NEVER forget. It has changed my life in more ways than one. My priorities have changed. My faith has grown immeasurably. I have gained 3 awesome younger brothers whom I love with all my heart. I've bettered my teaching skills. The list goes on and on...
The love I have received over these 6 months has given me a new mindset, a new way of thinking. I will never forget my Carmel family. NEVER. They are one of the most important things in my life. While this week has been sad and I know the next two days will only be more difficult, one truth remains with me. The overwhelming amount of love and affection that has been displayed to me is something that will always stay with me. Saying goodbye will be tough; there's no doubt about it, but I cannot forget that God is building up my faith and perseverance through all of this heartache and sadness.
I'd like to end on this thought. God is at work all around the world. He is at work through both the good times and the bad. He is at work in each of our lives; sometimes we just need to seek Him out a little more carefully. But really and truly, God is at work; and when you are able to witness it, it's a pretty incredible thing.
Thanks for sharing this unforgettable journey with me. <3
