"Don't Forget"

At the end of our time in South Africa, we spent a couple days at a place called Klein Kariba to debrief, enjoy our last couple days together, and try to mentally prepare to return home. One of the things that Pat asked us to do on our own was to take the time to make a list of ten things that we didn't want to forget from the trip. Well, mine refused to be limisted to ten (no surprise there). Though they might not all make a lot of sense to someone outside of the situation (or in some cases, even outside of my brain, haha), but I thought I would share them here. To remind me of them again and perhaps even accountability - feel free to ask me or remind me about these things!

SOUTH AFRICA "DON'T FORGET" LIST

1. Don't forget the feel of a little girl's arms around your neck as she clings goodbye after a few short minutes' interactions.
2. Don't forget the poem on my class board and the poem the girl read at the talent show that were such the heart of our mission.
3. Don't forget what it sounds like to sing praises in a chorus of voices unified in heart and drive.
4. Don't forget the letters my students wrote, displaying their tragedies, determination, joy and desire.
5. Don't forget the look in Perseverance's eyes as we hugged and I gave her a Bible of her own.
6. Don't forget "Date Night" and how much it made me feel that I am worth.
7. Don't forget the splendor of the Lord, made so clear in sunrises, sunsets, the expanse of Swaziland, the wildness of the game reserve, and the wonders of South Africa.
8. Don't forget understanding the unity of the Body of Christ like I did at Mamelodi Baptist Church, through joy, hugs, and individual translators.
9. Don't forget that it takes intentional boldness to live wholeheartedly for the Lord (and tough decisions) - it won't happen passively!
10. Don't forget the woman that Cort, Chris, Natalie, and Claire described in our car affirmations - the woman I desire and am striving to be.
11. Don't forget what the night looks like when it is completely blanketed by stars.
12. Don't forget how much it meant to the students and youth of Mamelodi to know that people from somewhere else know that they are there and care.
13. Don't forget that it takes intentional vulnerability and the decision to love in order to build a community like this.
14. Don't forget that the life of a Christ follower is an ADVENTURE!
15. Don't forget to live a rhythm of life with God at its center.
16. Don't forget understnading that the point of my short life is not my comfort or happiness, but God's glory.
17. Don't forget how important encouragement is to people.
18. Don't forget Will Franklin's names, jokes, and "pound it" adaptations.
19. Don't forget how much joy comes with playing games - ultimate, cards, ninja, signs, mofia, "Good day, Bob"...
20. Don't forget the welcoming attitudes of the people we served, those who served us, and those of chance encounters.
21. Don't forget how grateful I am for these people and how much I want to keep up with them.
22. Don't forget the power of prayer.
23. Don't forget that gratitude is a choice.