However, the true meaning of investing in people has always become clearer to me while I'm here. Maybe because there are less worldly distractions, maybe because it's so easy to talk about important things when the unimportant things are removed from the equation, or maybe because people here seem to genuinely care about other people more than in America. Whatever the reason, I can confidently say that some of the strongest, best people I know are people from this country.
There are children who warm my heart with their courage, joy, and love every day, but this post is more about the older people and adults I encounter and interact with. For example, Emmanuel is my translator but he also quickly became one of my best friends. When you think about the fact that we spend 10-11 hours a day together, and have all summer, I guess it's not really that surprising. But he's one of those people that I could, and do, talk to for hours. He always makes me laugh and we joke around, but I think he's also the person I've had the most serious conversations with too.
His five brothers also work at English Camp as translators - Rehuel, Agape, Benjamin, Jean Elie, and David. Hands down, I can't think of a family I love more. Every day camp ends at 2, but the Remys often don't leave until 6 or 7. Those hours hanging out after camp has ended are among my favorite memories. We play basketball, soccer, or just goof around. Each one has such a distinct personality, but they also are so alike in so many ways. The other day, when some of the volunteers went swimming after camp, Benjamin decided that we both needed to go swimming, so he jumped in, grabbing me and bringing me with him. That led to a full out war, and at the end, I was in the pool along with Bethany, Emmanuel, and Benjamin, and Jean Elie and David both got soaking wet hugs from us.
It's little things like that, where you can just have fun and be living completely in the moment, that make every day I spend here completely worth it. It would be wrong to say that those moments I forget the greater poverty and need that exists all around me, but I do choose to focus on the here and now of what I can do to enjoy the people that have been placed around me. It's far more rewarding and productive than trying to think about all the people that I am not able to help.
Besides the translators, I also enjoy every moment I get to spend with the ladies who work in our house. So often I wish that there was no language barrier, because they're just so funny and also so sweet. The little communications we're able to have are always so special to me.
There are so many people who have been such blessings in my life that it would be impossible to describe each and every one of them. Rose, Alexander, and Schneider from the children's home who come to the camp preschool every day are constant joys. Rivenca, Rochelle, Gaelle, Yva, Annie, Ismaelite, and Rosedarline fill me with happiness every day when they hug me and kiss me and refuse to let me walk away. Garensley, Nery, Charlins, Alvin, Adelson, Obed, Daves, and Wenshelove all bless me when they pretend like they're too tough to be cuddled, but run up and hug me and tickle me when they see me.
Dominique, the 9-year-old adopted son of the family I'm staying with, will probably be the hardest person for me to leave. Last year, I grew close with him and didn't realize how much he cared about me until he cried and hugged me at least 20 times the day I left. This year when I came back, he acted like he was too cool to be friends with me, but after a week or so he latched on to my side and has never left. I make his plate for dinner every night, I went to extreme lengths to find him pop-tarts since mine ran out and they're his favorite, I play with him when he's left out of the older kids games, and I love him more than anything. The other day he asked when I was leaving, and when I told him, he didn't talk to me for the rest of the night. The next day he came up to me and told me that he thought I should stay here forever and not go back to school and he would find me a job here.
It's that childlike innocence and love and pure spirit that are embodied in more people here than I could even name. That is one of the reasons that it will be so hard to come home when it is time for me to leave, and the main reason that I think part of my heart will never leave this country and these people.
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