Day 4: What an amazing day! We are really starting to get settled in here in Dallas. The days feel long but somehow are flying by. Today was our third day working at Wesley-Rankin Community Center, and our first day at Jonathon’s Place.
Jonathon’s Place is a non-profit organization which provides a safe, loving home for children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. Today we were directly working with the children staying in the “emergency center” where children will stay for 30-90 days until finding a more permanent living situation. We had the privilege to hang out with these kids one-on-one and just get to know them. Seeing the kids reactions from us being there and their happiness proved to me the impact we had on them, even if it was just for a day.
Working with Wesley-Rankin has been an AMAZING experience. We have done some indirect service for the center as well as serving at their after school program for kids grades K-8. Personally I have been working with the little ones ages K-2 and absolutely love them. There is one little girl who I have made a real connection with and will definitely never forget. She is so full of love and joy and always brightens up my day. Although I am the one who is tutoring her in math and reading, I feel like I am gaining more from her.
Throughout our time in Dallas I have kept in mind that service is not done for ones own satisfaction, but instead thinking about other’s needs. Today I put the kids 100% before myself and I still felt rewarded at the end of the day. That is truly what this trip is about. I am learning more and more from these kids each and every day. I will definitely be leaving this trip with a new attitude and a new outlook on life.
Finally I want to share how amazing my teammates are! We have gone from being strangers Sunday morning to great friends in a few days. It’s incredible how well we work together and use each other to really help out the kiddos and staff of both Wesley-Rankin and Jonathon’s Place.
Unfortunately our trip is halfway over. I look forward to the rest of the week, but will be sad to leave this awesome city and the awesome people I have met on this journey.