A Tribute to Those I Love

One of the things I love the most about short term missions is the opportunity to build relationships with people that last.  In fact, I would go so far as to say that a lot of time has been wasted in short term missions when relationships are not built.  Seeking to understand by way of listening versus seeking to be understood goes a long way, and it allows for a much more authentic friendship.  Today's post is about of few of the relationships I am most thankful for.


First, Kevin and Chadrick.

I met these two during my recent trip to Kenya, and I lived at Kevin's home in Nairobi for about three and a half weeks.  There are very few people I have ever met who have the heart for their community the way that Chadrick does.  It seemed like 90% of our conversations were focused on creating opportunities for the young people in the slums of Dandora, Cairobangi, and Gomongo.  Kevin was a blessing beyond blessings.  By the time I showed up at his place, I was about two months into my trip in Kenya and was feeling incredibly drained.  Sitting down to even read my Bible felt like a daunting task, but then I met Kevin.  Oh how refreshing it was to find a young man who was eager to learn more from God's Word and find answers to his questions about Scripture.  The conversations we had late into the night meant more to me than Kevin will probably ever know.  When I talk about my trip to Kenya, the first stories I tell always come from my time in Nairobi, thanks in large part to these two men.

Next, Esther.  

In May 2011, I spent one single week in an orphanage in Port Au Prince, Haiti.  I had a blast with most of the kids there, but Esther will always stand out to me.  She was different than most of the kids: she wasn't an abandoned street child or a runaway kid; she had two loving parents who were killed in the January 2010 earthquake.  In a matter of minutes, Esther's life transitioned from one of rare blessings to an incredible amount of sadness and questions.  My final night at the orphanage, she sat down next to me and, with tears in her eyes, asked, "Why me?  What did I do to deserve this from God."  Never in my life have I ever felt so confident that my conversation was being led by the Holy Spirit as I was that night.  I forget most I what I said, I just remember each of us sitting there with tear-filled eyes and hearts that truly trusted God.  If I'm correct, Esther should be in the United States by now.  She was in the process of being adopted when I was there.   I pray for her often and trust that God is continuing to teach her more and more about his faithfulness.

Simeon.  This little guy means so much to me.  His story begins long before I knew him.  When I left Haiti after spending a week there, I struggled with a lot of things.  Perhaps the biggest struggle was the way that I let so many kids into my life and then had to say goodbye.  I think without ever saying it, I promised myself that I would never care that much about a child again; it hurt too much to say goodbye and know that I would probably never see them again.  Then, five weeks into my Africa expedition walks (or, more accurately, runs) Simeon. 

 It took me a few days, but ever so slightly I began to notice my walls were coming down.  I think every time he came sprinting barefoot to me across the desert thorns, my heart opened up more and more.  Before I knew it, the highlight of my days were playing with Simeon and sneaking a sucker to him when the other kids weren't looking!  The morning that we moved from his tribe, we awoke to Simeon's school bag hanging on the tree, packed full of "everything he would need to come to America with us."  Leaving him was one of the hardest goodbyes I have ever had, but I'm so thankful for the time we got to spend together.  

June 2010, my first week with Najeyyah.  

Last, but certainly not least, comes Najeyyah.  She is the first of all these relationships.  I met her on my first trip out of the country, when I went to Jamaica in June 2010.  At that time, she was an incredibly shy little girl who was happiest when she had a camera in her hands.  It took me hours to sort through all the photos she took, deleting all the blurry images of dirt and cement.  But during that week, we really got to know one another, and she became the closest thing to a little sister I have ever known.  

June 2011, reunited for the first time.

When I returned to Jamaica the following summer, I could not wait to introduce her to my family and friends who had come with.  But our first three days at the worksite, she never showed up.  I concluded that for whatever reason, it was not in the Lord's plan for my family to get to meet her.  And...as if to say, "Proverbs 16:1, sucker," the next and final morning at the worksite, sure enough Najeyyah showed up! 
Two months ago, I was fortunate enough to go back to Jamaica for the third time.  And this go-around, Naj wasted no time.  As I was working, I heard the voice that I recognized so clearly, as she asked, "Is Jordan here?"  It meant so much to hear her ask that, knowing that I had spent a total of five days were her in two years.  

May 2012, Growing up
before my eyes.

I've been blessed to be able to see her grow up, and it blew my mind this year when I saw how grown-up she is looking.  She is a regular in my prayers, and I cannot wait to see how the Lord moves in her life in the years to come.  

  Sometimes, although not nearly enough, I ask God, "Why me?"  The incredible blessing of these relationships and all the experiences I have had in the last two years are far more than I deserve.  It has been such a fun journey, and I am learning so much.  I believe with all my heart that it is the Lord who has orchestrated each of these experiences and followed through on them all the way.  However, he has chosen countless people to join me along the way and become a part of his ministry.  I am forever indebted to all those who have supported me through these journeys.  From watching me puke milk all over the football field to paying twenty dollars for three burnt cookies, everyone who has joined me has made a difference.  I had some really difficult times in Kenya, but reading everyone's encouraging words on Facebook and knowing of everyone back home who was praying for me was both humbling and motivating.  So for everyone who has contributed to these experiences, I say thank you.  I'll probably never fully realize how much of a difference you have made to me, and to the people I've been blessed to meet.